United Threatens to Cut Access to Flights Departing After September, Expedia Alleges
Skift Take
Is this all just posturing in negotiations between United and Expedia? It certainly could be but filing a lawsuit about it while a contract is in place takes things to a new level.
Expedia alleged United Airlines threatened as part of renegotiating its ticketing agreement to remove its access to customers' flights on United for travel starting Oct. 1.
United could remove Expedia's access to United's flights for travel after September beginning on Monday, Feb. 11, according to an Expedia lawsuit.
Expedia filed a complaint against United under seal Monday in the Southern District of New York, and it alleged that United's threat is a brazen attempt to force a renegotiation of the economic terms of the United-Expedia agreement.
Expedia distributed a redacted version of the complaint to the news media.
Expedia said its customers have already booked 2,000 seats on United flights slated to depart after Sept. 30, and that United's action, if carried out, would harm Expedia's ability to service its customers in the event of flight changes and cancellations, and would add lots of expense and hassle to consumers.
In a statement, United confirmed its fares soo
