Even ITAsoftware does not attempt to GUI everything. If you are starting at ORD and want nonstop, then instead of "ORD" you write "ORD:: N", for one connection "ORD:: X", to connect specifically at Amsterdam "ORD:: AMS", for flying into Amsterdam by airline A1 and flying out by A2 "ORD:: A1 AMS A2". Etc.

As you note, this capacity is already there. It should take no effort or expense to turn it on for customers; it is probably alreday offered to staff. Those who don't want it won't need to do anythig, they can keep writing "ORD" as now.

I think some confusion here is rooted in the assumption that every single specification has to be via GUI. It needn't.

ITA does not offer such features via GUI but does integrate them with GUI quite nicely: in the box where you'd write ORD as departure airport, write "ORD:: N" instead for a nonstop. Etc. Similarly for many other specifications.

Please note that people who find this too complex can keep writing ORD as before; this doesn't interfere with anyone.

This capability does not have to be coded. It is already there. It is probably offered to Orbitz staff and is already up and running on their system.

Orbitz goes to the trouble and expense of creating a crippled version for us the customers!

It should cost absolutely nothing to offer the uncrippled version which they already have.

It is like a car company would remove a wheel and AM/FM radio from the car, keeping uncrippled cars for staff use. Then someone tells you it is taking notes of your wishes for more wheels and entertainment, and is working on a six-wheel version with home theater which, you are supposed to understand, is a nontrivial task that will take some time.