This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30634144
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Travel firms sue creator of cheap airfare site | Travel firms sue creator of cheap airfare site |
(35 minutes later) | |
United Airlines and travel firm Orbitz have launched legal action against a site that seeks out cheap "hidden city" airfares. | United Airlines and travel firm Orbitz have launched legal action against a site that seeks out cheap "hidden city" airfares. |
The site finds cheap fares by looking for flights that have a stopover at the city someone wants to travel to. | The site finds cheap fares by looking for flights that have a stopover at the city someone wants to travel to. |
The two firms allege the site is engaged in "unfair competition" and seeks to recoup lost revenue. | The two firms allege the site is engaged in "unfair competition" and seeks to recoup lost revenue. |
The developer behind the site said he was doing nothing wrong by exposing the "inefficiencies" in airline ticketing. | The developer behind the site said he was doing nothing wrong by exposing the "inefficiencies" in airline ticketing. |
The legal action has been filed in Illinois. | |
No luggage | |
The Skiplagged website works by looking for longer flights that include a stop in a big city en route to another destination. One example might be flying from New York to Lake Tahoe that has a stopover in San Francisco. | The Skiplagged website works by looking for longer flights that include a stop in a big city en route to another destination. One example might be flying from New York to Lake Tahoe that has a stopover in San Francisco. |
If someone wanted to travel to San Francisco they might spend less on the fare by booking the stopover flight and not travelling to Tahoe than they would simply booking a flight to San Francisco from New York. In some cases, the site suggests, travellers can save 40% or more on ticket fares. | If someone wanted to travel to San Francisco they might spend less on the fare by booking the stopover flight and not travelling to Tahoe than they would simply booking a flight to San Francisco from New York. In some cases, the site suggests, travellers can save 40% or more on ticket fares. |
The trick only works with one-way flights. Travellers cannot check in any luggage as that would then travel on to the flight's final destination. | The trick only works with one-way flights. Travellers cannot check in any luggage as that would then travel on to the flight's final destination. |
Twenty-two-year-old developer Aktarer Zaman, who created the site, told CNNMoney that he had made no profit from Skiplagged. He declined to comment specifically on the case to CNN. | Twenty-two-year-old developer Aktarer Zaman, who created the site, told CNNMoney that he had made no profit from Skiplagged. He declined to comment specifically on the case to CNN. |
Mr Zaman has launched a fundraising campaign to gather cash to fight the legal battle against United and Orbitz. So far he has raised $10,538 (£6,776) of the $15,000 needed. | Mr Zaman has launched a fundraising campaign to gather cash to fight the legal battle against United and Orbitz. So far he has raised $10,538 (£6,776) of the $15,000 needed. |
In its legal filing, United and Orbitz said the site was "intentionally and maliciously" interfering with the travel firms' business and was making it breach its contracts with its partners. | In its legal filing, United and Orbitz said the site was "intentionally and maliciously" interfering with the travel firms' business and was making it breach its contracts with its partners. |
The documents added that "logistical and public safety concerns" meant using "hidden city" tickets was prohibited and, as a result, using Skiplagged broke these rules. | The documents added that "logistical and public safety concerns" meant using "hidden city" tickets was prohibited and, as a result, using Skiplagged broke these rules. |
The two firms are seeking damages of at least $75,000 in revenue they claim they have lost as a result of Skiplagged operating. | The two firms are seeking damages of at least $75,000 in revenue they claim they have lost as a result of Skiplagged operating. |
Previous version
1
Next version