Online travel agents promise transparent pricing following CAA probe
Online travel giants eDreams and Opodo have made ‘significant’ changes to their websites following a Civil Aviation Authority investigation that found the two companies had previously failed to address numerous concerns raised by the regulator.
The CAA said the changes including changing headline prices, Google search Adwords and the overall appearance of their websites.
It said these would ensure the two sites were more transparent for consumers. In particular, the actual price of flights and holidays is more clearly displayed on eDreams and Opodo, making it easier to compare prices.
Improvements have also been made to the appearance of the company websites and Google search results to improve transparency, said the CAA.
The CAA launched its investigation into price transparency issues at eDreams and Opodo (both part of the eDreams ODIGEO Group) last December. It included evidence from a range of stakeholders, including consumer groups.
“This, along with the CAA’s own analysis, led to concerns about the way information and prices were presented to consumers and the CAA worked with the businesses to address these issues,” it said.
“As a result of this work, the CAA secured undertakings from eDreams and Opodo to make changes and their websites have now been changed to ensure prices are displayed transparently.”
The CAA’s director of consumers and markets group, Richard Moriarty, added: “Consumers spend a lot of time and money choosing and booking their holiday and have the right to clear and accurate information about how much they will have to pay and which company they are booking with. There are clear regulations in place for that very reason.
“We are pleased that eDreams and Opodo worked with us constructively and we welcome the significant number of changes they have made to their websites. These changes make it much simpler for consumers to be able to see the actual price of flights and holidays displayed on the sites – enabling them to compare options more easily.
“We will continue to monitor the practices of airlines and leading travel companies to ensure consumers have access to clear and accurate information on prices. And where we have evidence of misleading practices by companies, we will not hesitate to take action where necessary to protect consumers.”
Which?, one of the campaign group’s pushing for the changes, welcomed the announcement. Director of campaigns and communications Vickie Sheriff said: “It’s vital that online travel sites are upfront and clear about how much holidaymakers will pay when they book.
“We welcome the action taken by the Civil Aviation Authority that has led to improved transparency by Opodo and eDreams following this investigation and our previous research that found possible breaches of consumer protection law.
“We expect the regulator to continue to keep a close eye on travel sites and step in if companies are found to be breaching the rules and using misleading pricing tactics.”
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season