Orbitz

Orbitz. As a leading online travel agency, it was founded by American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, and United Airlines in June 2001, with the goal of providing a platform for consumers to book travel arrangements, including flights, hotels, and car rentals, with partners like Expedia, Priceline, and Travelocity. The company's early success was fueled by its relationships with major airlines like Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Orbitz also partnered with hotel chains like Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, and InterContinental Hotels Group to offer a wide range of accommodations to its customers, including options in popular destinations like New York City, Las Vegas, and Orlando.

● History

The history of Orbitz is closely tied to the development of the internet and the growth of e-commerce in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with companies like Amazon, eBay, and Yahoo! paving the way for online travel agencies. In 2001, the company was launched with a significant investment from its founding airlines, including American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, and United Airlines, as well as support from travel industry leaders like Sabre Holdings and Travelport. Orbitz quickly expanded its operations, partnering with hotel chains like Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, and InterContinental Hotels Group, and car rental companies like Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, and Avis. The company's growth was also influenced by the rise of low-cost carriers like Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, and Ryanair, which disrupted the traditional airline industry and created new opportunities for online travel agencies.

● Features

Orbitz offers a range of features to its customers, including a user-friendly website and mobile app, which allow users to search and book travel arrangements, including flights, hotels, and car rentals, with options to filter by price, location, and amenities. The company also provides a loyalty program, Orbitz Rewards, which offers points and discounts to frequent customers, similar to programs offered by American Express, Chase, and Capital One. Additionally, Orbitz offers a price match guarantee, which promises to refund the difference if a customer finds a lower price on the same travel arrangement elsewhere, a feature also offered by Expedia, Priceline, and Travelocity. The company's website and mobile app also provide access to travel guides and destination information, including recommendations from Lonely Planet, Frommer's, and Fodor's.

● Services

Orbitz provides a range of services to its customers, including flight booking, hotel reservations, and car rental arrangements, with options to book travel insurance and activities like tours and excursions. The company also offers a customer service department, which provides support to customers via phone, email, and live chat, similar to the support offered by Amazon, eBay, and Yahoo!. Orbitz also partners with travel companies like Disney, Universal Orlando, and Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to offer package deals and special promotions, which can include discounts on theme park tickets, shows, and events. The company's services are also integrated with payment systems like PayPal, Visa, and Mastercard, making it easy for customers to book and pay for their travel arrangements.

● Marketing

Orbitz has engaged in a range of marketing efforts to promote its brand and services, including television advertising campaigns featuring celebrities like William Shatner and Veronica Webb, as well as social media marketing on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The company has also partnered with influencers and bloggers in the travel industry, like The Points Guy and Travel + Leisure, to promote its services and offer exclusive deals to their followers. Orbitz has also sponsored events like the Super Bowl and Olympics, and has partnered with charities like Make-A-Wish Foundation and American Red Cross to support their causes, similar to the philanthropic efforts of Microsoft, Google, and Apple.

● Controversies

Orbitz has been involved in several controversies over the years, including antitrust lawsuits filed by the US Department of Justice and state attorneys general, which alleged that the company had engaged in anti-competitive practices with its founding airlines. The company has also faced criticism for its customer service practices, including long wait times and unhelpful representatives, similar to the issues faced by Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon. Additionally, Orbitz has been the target of cyber attacks and data breaches, which have compromised the personal and financial information of its customers, highlighting the need for robust cybersecurity measures, like those implemented by IBM, Cisco Systems, and Symantec.

● Technology

Orbitz has invested heavily in technology to support its operations and improve the customer experience, including the development of a mobile app and a website with advanced search and booking functionality, similar to the technology used by Expedia, Priceline, and Travelocity. The company has also implemented artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to personalize the booking experience and offer tailored recommendations to customers, like those used by Netflix, Amazon, and Google. Additionally, Orbitz has partnered with technology companies like Sabre Holdings and Travelport to access advanced reservation systems and global distribution systems, which enable the company to offer a wide range of travel options to its customers, including flights, hotels, and car rentals, with real-time pricing and availability, similar to the systems used by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. Category:Online travel agencies