Orbitz
Operates Internet
travel site.
Headquarters:
500 West Madison Street
Suite 1000
Chicago IL 60661
Employees: 1,300
CEO: Barney Harford
Stock symbol: OWW
Website:
http://www.orbitz.com
Career
Site
Orbitz is a leading online travel company
offering leisure and business travelers a wide selection of low
airfares, as well as deals on lodging, car rentals, cruises,
vacation packages and other travel.
Orbitz lets customers book flights at hundreds
of airlines, more than 80,000 hotels worldwide and 13 rental
car brands. Orbitz search results are presented in an easy-to-use
matrix that displays a vast array of travel options.
The company's brands include Orbitz, CheapTickets
and the Away Network in the Americas; ebookers in Europe; and
HotelClub and RatesToGo, based in Sydney, Australia, with operations
globally.
In November 2008, the company said it would cut 10% of its workforce to reduce costs.
The company is a majority-owned subsidiary of Travelport, formerly Cendant Travel Distribution Services.
In 2008, Orbitz revenue increased 1% to $870 million with a net loss of $299 million.
"During the fourth quarter, global economic softness significantly impacted our performance and created more uncertainty for the entire travel industry," said Barney Harford, President and CEO of Orbitz Worldwide. "In response to this softness, we took immediate steps in both November and January to reduce costs, and as a result, we believe Orbitz Worldwide is better positioned to manage through this challenging environment."
History
Orbitz was originally started in 2000 when
five major airlines - American, Continental, Delta, Northwest
and United - came together to fulfill a mission: Develop a travel
website that would serve people better. The site launched on
June 4, 2001.
Orbitz, Inc. was a publicly traded company
on the Nasdaq National Market under the ticker symbol ORBZ from
December 2003 through November 2004.
On November 12, 2004, Orbitz was acquired
by Cendant's Travel Distribution Services division, as part of
the Consumer Travel Americas group. Cendant has agreed to sell
its travel distribution services subsidiary, now known as Travelport
Inc. to an affiliate of The Blackstone Group, marking the prominence
of Travelport Inc. as one of the world's largest and most geographically
dispersed companies in the $6 trillion global travel industry.
Orbitz went public in July 2007 and sold 34 million shares at $15 per share.
Benefits
- Business casual dress
- State-of-the-Art office environment
- Pre-tax transportation program
- Discounted health club membership
Updated March 1, 2009
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