Orbitz, SilverRail unveil online rail booking

Orbitz for Business, the corporate travel group of Orbitz Worldwide Inc., announced on Tuesday a new partnership with SilverRail Technologies, a supplier of online search and booking solutions specializing in passenger rail transportation.

The technology partnership enables Orbitz for Business customers to seamlessly plan and book rail travel through the Orbitz for Business tool and makes Orbitz for Business the first major online travel company to announce integrated, online rail capabilities for U.S. business travelers.

The new rail content is delivered through the familiar interface, with a user experience similar to how customers currently search and book flights, hotels and car rentals. Under the agreement with SilverRail, Orbitz for Business customers can now search and book all U.S.-based Amtrak destinations online, with future expansion planned for Canada and European markets.

"Many of our customers in regions like the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast U.S. have a preference for rail over short distance flights," said Frank Petito, president, Orbitz for Business. "In order to better serve these customers, the SilverRail partnership allows Orbitz for Business to deliver a more comprehensive set of travel products with the scale and flexibility to expand our rail offerings in the future."

The announcement marks the launch of a broad rail implementation strategy for Orbitz for Business. Effective immediately, customers can search and purchase U.S. rail travel on Amtrak through a single online booking path. Travelers can access itineraries for all Amtrak routes and destinations in the U.S. and cancel their reservation online when business or trip requirements change.

Additionally, travel managers have access to company-specific reporting for all new Amtrak bookings. Further enhancements are planned for later this year.