As reported here, Microsoft has now officially joined the online travel-related coalition against Google’s $700 million acquisition of ITA Software, a travel data company vital for, among others, the Bing flight search tool. We discuss the coalition here, as its participants include Expedia Inc., Kayak.com, Sabre Holdings and Farelogix Inc.

“FairSearch.org made the announcement today, along with other new members. Microsoft’s Bing uses ITA for its flight search tool. The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly conducting an investigation.”

All of the travel sites above as well as many others rely on ITA’s crucial data. While there are some elements of the industry who are in favor Google’s acquisition, most keep their distance from anything resembling a positive perspective. That includes Kayak.com of course whose heading for an IPO, all in light of the fact Google’s acquisition has a very good shot to modify or temper with its earnings potential.

Going back to Microsoft and Google, the clash of the titans is also if not especially true for the mobile OS market, as Andy Rubin from Google and Joe Belfiore from Microsoft threw some ‘old code’ accusations at one another’s comapnies’ OS’s. Nonetheless, this hasn’t stopped it from having some big plans for Android and ITA Software.

The same was true until recently when Groupon turned down its $6 billion offer. The company wanted to “stay independent” and as we covered here investor Alexander Tamas justified its decision, even though some called the decline as a bullet dodged – for Google.