Online travel agency Expedia says United has threatened to withhold fare data as soon as next week as part of faltering contract talks between the companies. Such a move would halt Expedia’s ability to sell United’s flights for trips after Sept. 30, the travel seller said in a lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in New York. It would also threaten Expedia’s ability to change itineraries that are already booked. The agency has sold about 2,000 tickets for United flights after Sept. 30, according to the filing. The lawsuit adds to a longstanding battle between airlines and travel agents over the costs of distributing tickets. Carriers have sought to entice more travellers to book directly, following the model at discounter Southwest. In 2017, JetBlue Airways removed its fares from a dozen online agencies to reduce selling costs. The United contract dates to 2012 and was “reaffirmed” after negotiations in 2013 and 2016, Expedia said in the lawsuit, which was partially redacted. In August, the airline “demanded to renegotiate” the terms of the contract, which had more than a year remaining, Expedia said. Alleging that United has breached the contract, Expedia is seeking to restrain the carrier from removing its fare data.<br/>
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United Continental is revamping some of its regional jets to add more first-class seats and amenities as part of a wider push to attract more business travellers. The airline’s remodeled short-haul aircraft, dubbed the CRJ550, will be an adaptation of a plane made by Bombardier Inc. that typically flies with 70 seats. That’s 20 more than in United’s new configuration, which adds more luxury seats while reducing economy berths. United plans to fly the jets by year-end in Chicago, followed by flights from Newark, New Jersey. “We felt we were in a competitive disadvantage in certain markets,” Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella told reporters. “The CRJ550 is one of many things we’re doing as a company to close that gap.”<br/>
SWISS unveiled an upgraded concourse in Zurich Airport’s Check-in 1 on Feb. 5 with a fresh new look and check-in desk concept, waiting zones and screen displays for passengers in all travel classes. SWISS invested several million Swiss francs for the redesign and modernization work that was performed between April 2018 and February 2019, with “no interruption of regular check-in operations,” SWISS said Wednesday. SWISS has also revised the check-in desk concept for groups, families and premium travelers. A check-in lounge for SWISS First travelers and HON Circle members (Lufthansa Group’s highest frequent traveler status) has also been modernized. The new facility offers exclusive check-in service with extensive privacy, thanks to a separate entrance and sophisticated construction. SWISS CEO Thomas Klühr said the new facilities “substantially enhance the preflight comfort and convenience for all our customers.” Zurich Airport CEO Stephan Widrig said with the redesigned concourse “SWISS has raised its presence and profile even more among our airport users.”<br/>