How to Cope with the JetBlue-Travelport ‘Divorce’

JetBlue Airways said it is reaching out to travel agencies and partner websites to explore options to keep its fare in their systems after its contract with Travelport expired on Nov. 30.

“Our fares are still available via a variety of channels including other GDSs, giving customers a choice in how they book,” the carrier said in a statement.

Travelport, which gave agency subscribers advance notice that it was not likely to reach a new agreement with JetBlue by the deadline, provided instructions on dealing with existing reservations made through its GDSs:

• Any PNR not yet ticketed may not now be ticketed through the system. Instead, JetBlue has indicated that it will keep the PNR alive within its system, and agents should contact the airline directly to ticket or modify the PNR.
• All JetBlue PNRs previously ticketed through Travelport will remain retrievable through the system, but they are not actionable; no modification, changes or refunds may be made through Travelport.
• All JetBlue PNRs will remain active in Travelport and will follow the normal process of removal following the travel date of the last segment in the PNR.
• The JetBlue Electronic Ticket Record (ETR) will not be retrievable.
• JetBlue schedules will continue to be available in Travelport, but they may not be booked.

Travelport referred agents to the airline if they have additional questions.

JetBlue said any changes to existing reservations can be made on jetblue.com or by contacting the carrier directly at 1-800-JETBLUE.

“Our relationship with Travelport is ending after multiple deadline extensions and efforts by JetBlue to reach an agreement,” the carrier said.

Travelport said it remains “optimistic that JetBlue’s absence from Travelport will be temporary. Travelport will remain engaged with JetBlue and continue to attempt to reach a long-term agreement beneficial to all parties, including Travelport’s agency customers.”

JetBlue has had an up-and-down relationship with the GDS sector. Early on, it participated in Sabre at the lowest level, Basic Booking Request. It withdrew from Sabre in 2004, focusing on providing “completely functionality” on its website.

Two years later, it conceded that it was missing out on the lucrative corporate market and returned to the GDSs.

Pic: Greg Bishop