American Airlines Inks Blockchain Partnership with Travel Platform Winding Tree

American Airlines (AAL.O) and Swiss travel platform Winding Tree announced collaboration on Tuesday that would allow business purchasers to access American Airlines’ flight data straightaway, without the requirement of middlemen. Winding Tree is an Ethereum-based decentralized travel marketplace that was founded in 2017 with the goal of making travel more affordable for consumers and more lucrative for providers.

Global distribution systems (GDS) including Amadeus and Sabre, which use real-time inventory technology, now provide information on flights and accommodations to travel agencies and corporate travel bookers. Winding Tree’s platform will enable organizations such as airlines and hotel providers to immediately post level of inventory to their consumers.

“We’re constantly exploring for new methods to provide our clients with access to American’s material in the most accessible manner for them,” said Neil Geurin, American’s managing director of digital and distribution.

Winding Tree will offer a framework for American’s leisure bookings programme with corporate purchasers as part of the cooperation. The program will be able to straightly discuss special discounts with American Airlines.

“While marketplace connection is general, Ethereum blockchain assures that each association is distinct to the contractual deal between seller and buyer, enabling bespoke content value between the two parties,” said Pedro Anderson, Winding Tree’s chief operations officer and co-founder.

American Airlines, together with a burgeoning number of partners, has joined Air Canada in adopting Winding Tree’s decentralized marketplace to engage further directly with purchasers.