We’re a leader in the online travel industry, taking the most innovative technology and making it relevant to our customers. Orbitz Worldwide’s portfolio spans nine major consumer travel brands: including Orbitz, CheapTickets, ebookers, HotelClub, RatesToGo, the Away Network, MrJet, Asia Hotels and Orbitz for Business.

We’re headquartered in downtown Chicago, Illinois, with offices around the world. From London to Sydney and everywhere in between, we represent one seamless organization. Our reach is extensive. Though some of us may focus on one or several brands, we share a common goal: transforming the way the world books travel.

 

Orbitz

In 1999, five major airlines came together to modernize air travel booking. A phenomenon was born, and Orbitz launched in 2001: a departure from all travel booking experiences.

learn more about Orbitz

HotelClub

Established in 1996 and headquartered in Sydney, HotelClub is a leading accommodation specialist. Our formula for success: offer premium rates at over 40,000 hotels in over 140 countries. Our story is as unique as the regions we serve.

learn more about HotelClub

ebookers

ebookers.com was formed in 1999 in London, but our origin dates back 20 years. We began in 1983 as Flightbookers Ltd, a kiosk-based travel agency in London. In 1999, ebookers.com was formally founded. We were the first distinct interactive website company in the UK.

learn more about ebookers

 
 

1980s

  • CheapTickets founded in Honolulu, Hawaii as an offline travel agency

1990s

  • Flightbookers LTD. — ebooker’s parent company — launches website, the first travel agent in the UK to do so
  • Hotelclub.com website launched
  • Cheaptickets.com launches
  • Greentravel.com formed — always original parent — in Washington, D.C.
  • Ebookers lists on NASDAQ and Germany’s Neuer Market raising $61M

2000

  • Greentravel.com acquires Adverturequest and re-brands away.com
  • away.com signs 10 year partnership to run outside online

2001

  • Orbitz.com launches led by CEO Jeff Katz
  • Cheaptickets.com is acquired by Cendant
  • Ebookers lists on the London Stock Exchange
  • Orbitz.com launches care alerts

2002

  • away.com acquires gorp.com
  • Ratestogo.com website launches
  • Orbitz.com launches gay travel microsite
  • Orbitz.com launches Orbitz for business

2003

  • Orbitz, INC. completes IPO of 12,180,000 shares with proceeds of $97.5MM to Orbitz and $199.4MM to the selling stockholders — Orbitz quoted on the NASDAQ

2004

  • Cendant acquires Hotelclub and Ratestogo
  • Ebookers launches Insurancebookers
  • Cendant acquires Orbitz LLC.

2005

  • Mitch Truwit becomes president and CEO of the consumer travel division of Cendant TDS
  • Cendant acquires ebookers
  • Cendant acquires away.com
  • Cheaptickets.com moves operation to Chicago
  • Launch of Orbitzgames.com

2006

  • Launch of OrbitzTLC
  • Orbitz.com moves headquarters to 500 Madison
  • The Blackstone Group acquires Cendant TDS, rebranding the privately held company as Travelport LTD. Orbitz Worldwide becomes one of the three divisions within Travelport
  • Launch of OrbitzTLC mobile access
  • Cheaptickets.com celebrates 20th anniversary

2007

  • Cheaptickets.com launches “Volunteer Vacations Program” microsite and partnership with United Way
  • Steven Barnhart is named President and CEO for Orbitz Worldwide
  • Orbitz.com launches eco-travel microsite
  • Ratestogo.com celebrates 5th anniversary
  • Orbitz Worldwide (OWW) completes IPO of 34,000,000 shares with proceeds of $510MM — OWW lists on the NYSE

2008

  • Orbitz Worldwide completes strategic initiative by migrating all 12 ebookers’ country sites to common technology platform
  • Orbitz leads travel industry with the introduction of flight price assurance
  • Orbitz wins budget travel magazine’s extra mile award for its innovative use of social media and mobile technology
  • Orbitz becomes first online travel agency to recognize energy star hotels

2009

  • Barney Harford is names President and CEO of Orbitz Worldwide
  • Orbitz launches total hotel search results
  • Leads the industry with launch of hotel price assurance
  • Orbitz launches campaign to end U.S. travel ban to Cuba — more than 100K people sign petition
  • Trip.com relaunches as a facilitated search site as part of the away network