American Airlines And Orbitz Worldwide Reach Settlement

American Airlines said Monday that it had settled lawsuits with the online travel agency Orbitz over the agency's display of information about American flights and fares.

The companies did not disclose terms, and they declined to comment beyond a brief news release on American's web site.

The settlement is subject to review by the federal judge overseeing the bankruptcy reorganization of American and its parent, AMR Corporation.

American has been fighting with Orbitz Worldwide and other companies that distribute information to travel agents. American says it can better tailor offers to customers if it provides flight and price information directly to travel agents.

Distribution companies contend that American wants to push them aside and reduce competition for selling airline travel.

As the dispute escalated in 2011, American flights disappeared briefly from listings on Orbitz and Expedia

American had filed suit in Federal District Court, accusing Orbitz, which is based in Chicago, and its largest shareholder, Travelport, of violating antitrust laws. In November 2011, a judge dismissed some of American's claims but let the suit proceed.

American settled with Travelport last month, allowing Travelport subsidiaries to sell American Airlines upgrades such as premium seating in economy class.

Last year American said it had received an undisclosed amount of cash to settle with another distribution company, Sabre Holdings, after a jury trial had begun in Texas state court.

American Airlines: Turbulent Times