American Airlines and HRG have released a joint statement saying they are “exploring a direct connect distribution agreement.”
The statement in full said: “The companies have agreed in principle to explore a long-term arrangement for the benefit of their corporate clients, in which HRG would receive guaranteed direct long-term access to American's fares, schedules, and customized travel products and services.
“HRG said it would plan to access American's content through the airline's direct connect link using its own technology, either directly or via a global distribution system (GDS) application programming interface (API).”
The issue of direct connect is one of the business travel world’s most contentious. Controversy over direct connect has usually involved the airlines and the GDSs. The news that one of the world’s top four travel management companies is now exploring whether direct connect can work is significant.