Skift Take
Blockchain distribution, and how it can eliminate the need for intermediaries, has been discussed for some time in travel. When these bigger players take a seat at the table, the rest of the industry needs to pay attention.
EY is the corporate buyer test-driving a new partnership between American Airlines and a blockchain company, Skift has learned, trialling a new way of booking fights that would cut out middlemen like travel agencies and global distribution systems in the future.
The consulting firm is working with Winding Tree, a travel marketplace that uses blockchain technology, according to two sources familiar with the deal who wished to remain anonymous. EY employs more than 310,000 globally so the trial will be significant in scale.
Winding Tree announced its collaboration with the airline on November 16 — perfectly timed to make a splash before the Global Business Travel Association’s convention a day later. The announcement stated the…