LOT POLISH AIRLINES’ FARES NO LONGER AVAILABLE ON ORBITZ
WARSAW, May 7, 2015–LOT Polish Airlines and Orbitz have not renewed their partnership agreement. As a result, LOT fares are no longer being displayed for consumers using web sites powered by Orbitz.
LOT works with its partners to offer customers the most extensive range of purchasing channels, but keeping a strict cost discipline is one of the key elements of cooperation with distribution partners in order to maintain effectiveness. Customers, including corporate travelers, are unaffected by this change. LOT’s best fares and deals are still available on many major channels including its own web site lot.com.
“LOT continues to modernize and expand its sales channels, while cost inefficient distribution is not part of our strategy,” said Jiri Marek, LOT Polish Airlines sales and distribution executive director. “We have worked extensively during the last few months with Orbitz to extend our long-term partnership based on new competitive terms and conditions, hoping to reach a deal which would benefit Orbitz consumers. However, much to our regret, the agreement has not been reached.”
“While our fares are no longer on Orbitz, there is a wide variety of other options available for our customers including online travel agencies, various travel aggregators, brick and mortar agencies, our own web site lot.com, as well as through the LOT mobile app,” added Marek.
All tickets already purchased through Orbitz web sites remain valid for travel.
LOT Polish Airlines is in the final stage of a successful turnaround process. The company has made $26 million profit on its core business for the first time in the last seven years. LOT owes its positive results to consistent changes and initiatives included in the Restructuring Plan, among other strict distribution costs and effectiveness disciplines. 2014 was also the first full year LOT benefitted from the so-called ‘Dreamliner effect’. The Boeing 787 is perceived by passengers as the most comfortable aircraft and has positively impacted the company’s operations and financials. All flights from US and Canada to Europe are operated with this most advanced airplane in the world.
About LOT Polish Airlines
LOT Polish Airlines is a modern, European carrier bringing connectivity to the Central and Eastern European regions with more than 40 destinations in the world, including Europe, North America and Asia. The high quality of services and professionalism of LOT crews have been honored a number of times with the award for the best airline in Central and Eastern Europe. LOT, as the flag carrier of Poland, is a modern airline – the first in Europe which operates a fleet of the latest generation – the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Since 2003, LOT is a member of Star Alliance whose network currently offers more than 21,900 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries all over the world.
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