The future of integrated travel management

Unite direct channels, distribution networks, and program management in one powerful platform.

Our Vision

Direct + Indirect = Unified, Not Divided

The future of business travel isn’t either/or, it’s both. We believe corporate travel should be simple, flexible, and compliant, regardless of where it’s booked. That’s why we’re creating an ecosystem where direct and indirect channels can work together, side by side, without compromise.

Direct Empowerment

Corporate travelers book directly on airline and hotel websites with full support for policies, payments, and comprehensive duty of care coverage.

Relationship Reclaim

Travel suppliers regain control of corporate customer relationships, accessing valuable traveler data while reducing dependency on costly third-party intermediaries.

Data Unity

Travel data from both indirect and direct channels is unified, giving Travel Management Companies and Travel Managers complete visibility and strategic control.

Leakage Elimination

Empower travelers to book direct while maintaining full program compliance, transforming direct bookings into strategic advantages over leakage.

This isn’t disruption, it’s transformation through collaboration and shared success.

Introducing Altimeter

Altimeter is an agnostic modular and open platform that empowers airlines and hotels to serve their corporate customers directly on their own websites and mobile applications. Built using the most modern technology architecture, it’s cost-effective, scalable, and easy to integrate.

The Direct Booking Platform Built for
Corporate Travel

Toggle between consumer and business booking modes

Seamlessly switch between personal and corporate travel booking experiences within the same platform, ensuring travelers can access appropriate rates, policies, and payment methods based on their travel purpose.

Corporate profile & policy management

Centralized management of company travel policies, approval workflows, and traveler profiles. Set spending limits, preferred suppliers, and booking restrictions while maintaining flexibility for exceptional circumstances.

Contract rate negotiation & corporate payments

Automatic application of negotiated corporate rates and preferred pricing across all booking channels. Streamlined payment processing through corporate cards, direct billing, and centralized expense management.

Duty of care & traveler tracking

Real-time traveler location tracking and safety monitoring with automated alerts for travel disruptions, emergencies, or policy violations. Ensure compliance with corporate duty of care obligations.

TMC access

Grant Travel Management Companies secure access to booking data, traveler information, and reporting tools while maintaining corporate control over policies and approval processes.

Real-time data, reporting & compliance tools

Live dashboards and comprehensive reporting on travel spend, policy compliance, and program performance. Automated compliance monitoring with customizable alerts and exception reporting.

One single platform for multiple audiences

For years, suppliers and travel managers have each been tied to legacy systems and fragmented third-party channels that add cost and dilute the customer experience. As business travel continues to shift, the opportunity to reclaim control has never been greater.

Suppliers

Reduce distribution costs while capturing more direct corporate bookings

Regain control of your corporate customer relationships and valuable traveler data

Customize offers and bundles tailored to corporate travel programs

Business travelers

Experience the convenience and speed of direct supplier booking platforms

Benefit from the security and structure of comprehensive managed travel programs

Earn and redeem loyalty rewards while maintaining full program compliance

Corporate Travel Managers

Gain full visibility and comprehensive reporting across all booking channels

Enforce real-time compliance monitoring and approval hierarchy management

Access seamless data integration for duty of care and expense synchronization

TMCs

Eliminate channel conflict while expanding service capabilities and revenue opportunities

Access enhanced tools to support, service, and optimize the complete traveler journey

Maintain data visibility and program compliance oversight across all booking channels

Meet the Founders

Cruising Altitude was founded in 2025 by Carmine Carpanzano and Michael Kanner.

Carmine is a seasoned executive with more than 33 years of experience in travel. In 2004, he co-founded nuTravel Technology Solutions and served as its Chairman and CEO. Under his leadership, the company pioneered one of the world’s first corporate online booking tools (OBT) and later introduced Universal Connect, the industry’s first open and agnostic airline integration platform.

In early 2023, Carmine exited nuTravel, selling his equity and concluding a distinguished 22-year chapter, firmly establishing him as a visionary and transformative leader in travel technology.

Carmine Carpanzano

Founder, Chairman & CEO

Michael Kanner

Founder & CTO

Michael is a seasoned senior technologist with a track record of success in multiple startups. He previously served as the CTO for an online booking platform specializing in hotels and meeting spaces, as well as for an online equity trading platform. With several decades of technical expertise, he understands that technology is just one piece of the puzzle in addressing a business’s needs.

Meet the Team

Curtis is a travel distribution product manager with deep experience in airline eCommerce, NDC/API integrations, and corporate travel technology. He spent over a decade with a major US carrier, shaping modern flight shopping, merchandising, and corporate direct programs, translating complex customer and partner needs into clear roadmaps and reliable solutions. At Cruising Altitude, Curtis brings hands‑on distribution and corporate travel expertise to help build products that make supplier‑direct booking smarter, simpler, and more connected.

Curtis Willmore

Director of Product and Operations

Our Investors and Advisors

We’re proud to collaborate with world-class investors and industry leaders who share our vision of transforming corporate travel management and provide invaluable expertise as we scale our platform to serve enterprise clients globally.

Vin is the President and CEO of Advance Travel. Vin has been in corporate travel for over 30 years. He began his travel career at McGregor Travel, one of the largest regional travel management companies of its time. Vin was responsible for Marketing and Information Systems where he was instrumental in developing the agency’s e-commerce strategy. Vin was actively involved in McGregor’s sale and transition to Navigant International where he chaired the committee that developed the Navigant brand and developed the Strategic Account Sales Team responsible for global account acquisitions greater than $40 Million. Vin has held positions in operations, sales, human resources, technology and marketing. Vin’s expertise spans implementing various automation, including online booking and expense management tools, quality control systems, and reporting technology. Vin’s is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Advance Travel and also oversees strategic planning, client service, and business development.

Vin Rosa

Mat Orrego

Mat is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cornerstone Information Systems, a travel technology and enterprise data company that automates complex operational workflows across travel, expense, and financial ecosystems. With deep expertise spanning travel distribution, corporate travel operations, ERP integration, and data management, Mat has spent his career building technology platforms that connect fragmented systems and turn operational data into strategic enterprise assets. Under his leadership, Cornerstone has grown to serve hundreds of organizations through its suite of automation, integration, and data intelligence solutions. Mat is based in Bloomington, Indiana.

David is an entrepreneur and business leader who co-founded Acquis Consulting Group in 1998. Over the past 28 years, he has grown Acquis into a leading consultancy, and today, as Executive Chair, provides strategic direction across the Acquis family of companies, including Solidea and Tripkicks. He has an extensive financial, strategic, and operational background and brings 30 years of experience in Corporate Travel and leading travel technology tools. Beyond his business leadership, David is a committed philanthropist and community leader — serving as Chair of both the Acquis Foundation® and the American Cancer Society’s CEOs Against Cancer New York Chapter.

David Kaufman

Steve Reynolds

Steve is a seasoned board advisor and technology entrepreneur recognized for transforming the corporate travel and expense industry. Over four decades, he has founded and led four successful companies, each achieving strong market adoption and strategic exits. He brings deep expertise at the intersection of technology, payments, and travel, coupled with extensive governance experience through multiple advisory board roles. Steve frequently consults with private equity firms, corporate boards, and founders for his strategic insights, innovation leadership, and global market perspective.

Chris stands as one of the corporate travel industry’s most experienced and influential leaders, serving as President and Managing Partner of Hickory Global Partners with over 50 years of travel industry expertise. A Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE), Dane has fundamentally transformed how corporate travel consortia operate, moving from traditional buying-club models to sophisticated data-driven revenue management platforms that generate substantial new income streams for travel management companies.

Chris Dane

Greeley Koch

Greeley is an award-winning speaker, educator, and consultant who has helped shape the business travel industry for decades. He is Managing Director of 490 Consulting, Advisor to Acquis Consulting, and a Strategic Partner to 3Sixty, and serves as a faculty member at New York University’s Tisch Center of Hospitality, mentoring future leaders and startups. A former Fortune 100 procurement leader and industry association executive, he now advises organizations on navigating change, accelerating growth, and building more effective, traveler-centric programs.

Justin is Managing Director of Solidea Capital, a NYC-based venture advisory and investment firm with a portfolio of over 70 early-stage, high-growth companies across Fintech, Sports, Travel, and Life Sciences. With nearly two decades of experience backing innovative founders, including several successful exits, Justin brings deep expertise in startup capital strategy and a passion for platforms reshaping how industries operate. He holds a B.S. in Economics from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Justin Anderson

Eric Baum

Eric brings over 20 years of experience advising executive leadership teams at Fortune 500 companies and emerging ventures across life sciences, AI, education, travel, technology, Web 3.0/blockchain, and real estate. As Managing Director and Board Member of Acquis Consulting Group and Partner and Co-Founder of Solidea Capital, he guides organizations in corporate strategy, M&A, capital markets, board governance, market positioning, growth and scale strategies, and risk evaluation. Eric serves on multiple public and private company boards, frequently chairing Compensation Committees and serving on Audit Committees. As a serial entrepreneur, he also founded and leads a rapidly growing real estate investment firm operating across several U.S. markets. He holds a BBA from Emory University, where he graduated as Valedictorian, received the Goizueta Business School’s Highest Award for Excellence in Organizational Management, and was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the nation’s highest business honor society.