Galileo today announced it has signed a 10-year contract with

United Airlines (UAL) to provide reservations system technology and hosting
services, network management and to develop a new Internet booking engine for
the airline’s Web site, United.com.  United will participate in the Galileo
GDS through the term of the agreement.

  “Working with Galileo, United can provide a state-of-the art Internet
booking engine that will increase efficiency, maximize revenue and, most
importantly, enhance customer service,” said Bruce Weiner, a leader in United
Airlines Strategic Sourcing organization.  “We’ve had a long affiliation with
Galileo that today extends beyond hosting services to include the use of
Cendant-affiliate NEAT’s industry leading packaging technology for
UnitedEscapes.”
  UnitedEscapes is the carrier’s online travel packaging service which
enables travelers to create personalized, value-priced packages by combining
travel on United with car and/or hotel accommodations.  United customers will
also benefit from ongoing partnerships with Avis and Budget through a variety
of programs including Mileage Plus, United.Com Rent a Car Page, Voice Call
Transfer, Small Business and Meeting & Groups programs.
  Through a strategic alliance with Datalex, a leading provider of
e-Business Information Technology (IT) solutions to the global travel
industry, Galileo will provide United with one of the most advanced Internet
booking technologies on the market today.  The booking engine will serve as
the primary platform for United’s online distribution strategy and will
closely integrate its consumer and other distribution channels.  The
flexibility, reliability, and scalability of this state-of-the-art technology
solution will enable United to respond to changing requirements in a rapidly
evolving travel environment.  The carrier is expected to reduce costs while
enhancing distribution efficiency inventory control yield management and
customer service.
  United recently joined Galileo’s Preferred Fares Select program, providing
Galileo-connected travel agencies and their customers with complete access to
all of United’s published fares for a three-year term.  This competitive
content includes all fares the airline sells through any other GDS,
third-party Web sites or their own Web site and reservation offices.  In
addition, United and Cendant are also expanding their relationship by
implementing promotional opportunities within Cendant’s Retail Travel Services
group.
  “Galileo has had a long and mutually beneficial partnership with United
Airlines and we are pleased to not only extend, but expand our strategic
partnership with them,” said Flo Lugli, senior vice president, Airline
Solutions for Cendant’s Travel Distribution Services division.
  Galileo also provides a number of leading technology solutions to other
airline carriers for use in their internal reservation and ticket office
environments.  These include a next generation faring system, Galileo 360.
Fares, which offers state-of-the-art server based fare display, quotation and
shopping services to over 40 leading airlines around the world.  In addition,
a Reservation Sales Solution (RSS) allows airlines access to Galileo’s direct
computer-to-computer links for instant and secure reservations, seat
assignment, and other special travel related services with nearly 300
carriers.
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