The rules have changed though. They blocked api access because it helped competitors more than end users. With claws, end users are going to be the ones demanding it.
I think it means front-end will be a dead end in a year or two.
I think it means front-end will be a dead end in a year or two.
Ryanair recently had a court case with some meta travel website because they were selling their flights. Ryanair wants to sell you the insurance and extras, and they can only do so controlling the experience.
My prediction is, like apis, there will be some years of extra access for agents, followed by locking moats for their own experience.
I hadn't thought about the legal aspect, but yeah, eventually some kind of legal moats will probably be dug as well. Just because an agent figures out some workaround to get free flights doesn't mean it has to be honored, I guess.