Big airlines join online ticketing service

Thursday, Nov. 18, 1999 | 12:03 p.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHICAGO -- In the airline industry's latest move into cyberspace, three more U.S. carriers have joined Priceline.com, giving a big boost to the name-your-own-price Internet ticket service.

The endorsement Wednesday by United Airlines, American Airlines and US Airways means that nearly all major domestic airlines now sell seats through the service. The move also doubles the number of seats Priceline can sell.

The agreement gives travelers more reason to buy tickets online and provides airlines with a proven way to peddle unsold airline seats at the last minute.

It also deals another blow to travel agents, reeling from the latest round of airline commission cuts as well as new competition from travel Web sites.

Most airlines now sell tickets on their own sites and last week United, Delta, Continental Airlines and Northwest announced plans for a joint site.

Priceline's three new carriers -- Nos. 1, 2 and 6 in the country -- join Delta Air Lines, Continental Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Trans World Airways and America West Airlines on Priceline. Among major carriers, Southwest Airlines is still not participating.