Orbitz’s app to sell package holidays, claiming industry first

Orbitz.com has begun selling package holidays through its mobile app, claiming a first for the industry.

Orbitz.com has begun selling package holidays through its mobile app, claiming a first for the industry.

The mobile app now allows consumers to easily search and book tens of thousands of flight plus hotel package combinations, in a few taps.

The app suggests flight and hotel packages with the best value and features the ability to quickly customise packages.

Before they book, the app shows consumers how much they will save by booking the hotel and flight together.

The packages are available on the Orbitz Android app and will be available on the Orbitz iOS app later in the month.

Chris Brown, chief product officer of Orbitz.com, said: “The focus across the travel industry has been on last-minute hotel bookings in mobile apps, but at Orbitz, we are beginning to see an expansion of how consumers are using their mobile devices.

“The launch of vacation packages in our app is so timely because consumers are no longer only using mobile devices for searching or making last-minute plans but are increasingly booking bigger trips requiring more advanced planning.

“Over the past year Orbitz has seen a 100% increase in vacation package bookings on a smartphone through our mobile web site.”

Holiday packages are also available on the CheapTickets.com mobile app for Android and will be on the iOS app later in the month – CheapTickets.com is a brand of Orbitz Worldwide along with HotelClub.com and Orbitz.com.