Air New Zealand launches new Sabre Branded Fares option

Fare Families and graphical displays make ’Seats to Suit’ information clearer for travel agents and customers

SYDNEY, Dec. 8, 2010 – Air New Zealand and Sabre Travel Network have introduced Sabre Branded Fares to Sabre Connected travel agents who can now shop and book the airline’s branded fares. This enables the airline to market its products consistently with its own website, while ensuring Sabre Connected customers have efficient access to the airline’s branded fare information and can ensure clarity with the travelling public.

The airline’s new branded fares will be available for its Tasman and Pacific Island Fares, for travel commencing this month.

“Our extensive customer research showed that customers have a range of needs for their travel whether they are flying for business, leisure, for a short trip or a longer time away. The new fare options enable customers to choose the level of product that suits them for each leg of their journey,” says John Whittaker, general manager Australasia Strategy, Air New Zealand.

“Sabre has been the industry leader in providing airlines with the ability to market and sell ancillary products in the most efficient way and we’re experiencing terrific results,” he added.

The Sabre Branded Fares solution allows airlines to package and brand a variety of fares featuring different attributes. This new way of displaying its fares in all shopping channels allows Air New Zealand to capitalize on its marketing efforts while simplifying their fare structures.Sabre Branded Fares is part of Sabre’s Air Merchandising Suite, which provides travel agencies and airlines the ability to market, sell and fulfill airlines’ ancillary products and services.

Air New Zealand pioneered the use of fare families in the industry and has continued its leadership in marketing its products and services to travelers worldwide.
 
“Sabre Branded Fares sets Air New Zealand apart in today’s highly competitive and noisy market place. It enhances an airline’s product branding and consistency across channels – benefitting both the travel agent and the end consumer – and it adds a lot more clarity in today’s cloud of information,” said Hans Belle, vice president – general manager, Asia Pacific of Sabre Travel Network. “With Sabre Red we’re investing to ensure agents can deliver the best travel options at the best value.  Supporting new airline merchandising initiatives such as branded fares in the agent workflow is a key part of what Sabre Red delivers.”

Each Air New Zealand branded fare will have its own unique inclusions such as checked bags, advance seating, premium check-in and others. When agents click on the fare for details, a screen will pull up displaying a clear comparison chart of the inclusions and fare groupings.

Air New Zealand’s four new fare options are available on its Airbus A320 services to Australia and the Pacific Islands. The four options are also available onboard the airline’s Boeing 767, 777 and 747 Tasman and Pacific Island services.

About Sabre Travel Network
Sabre Travel Network is the world’s leading provider of high-performance travel solutions. By combining its unique expertise and leading technology, Sabre powers business performance across the travel industry. Sabre’s multi-channel merchandising and procurement solutions enable corporate and leisure agencies, corporate travel programs, airlines, hotels and other travel suppliers around the world to make money, save money and provide better customer service. Sabre Holdings connects people with the world’s greatest travel possibilities by retailing travel products and providing distribution and technology solutions for the travel industry. More information about Sabre Holdings is available at http://www.sabre-holdings.com/.