SOUTHLAKE, Texas – Oct 26, 2016 – Air Canada has extended its market reach and customers now have easier access to Preferred seats and upgraded amenities as the carrier launches the sale of more offerings through travel agencies, travel management companies and online sales sites that are connected via Sabre Corporation’s (NASDAQ: SABR) travel marketplace. This launch also solidifies both companies’ collaboration to bring choice and a personalized experience for passengers through the Sabre Red platform.
Starting today, thousands of corporate and leisure travel buyers in Canada and the U.S. have more options for pre-reserving seats. They now have the ability to purchase Air Canada’s Preferred Seats and paid advance seat selection through the Sabre Red platform. This extends their reach through the Sabre Red Workspace desktop solution and an extensive selection of air shopping and booking API’s. Air Canada’s Preferred seats offer more legroom and are located at the front of the main cabin and in exit rows. Paid advance seats provide a pre-reserved seat choice in the main cabin to passengers who have booked the airline’s “Tango” fare.
“Air Canada has a bold vision in creating a personalized journey for their passengers, and Sabre’s technology supports every strategic aspect in delivering their differentiated merchandising strategy,” said Sean Menke, President of Sabre Travel Network. “Our collaboration aims to put their customers first, enabling agents with transparent shopping and pricing of their brand, and ultimately a streamlined booking experience.”
“Air Canada remains focused on delivering products and services, such as Air Canada Preferred Seats, that bring value to our customers and enhance their travel experience with us,” said Duncan Bureau, Vice President Global Sales of Air Canada. “By making this available through the Sabre agency platform we are continuing our commitment to our loyal agency network to make selling Air Canada as seamless and efficient as possible.”
Sabre’s technology has enabled Air Canada to further expand their merchandising reach and generate new revenue in the Sabre marketplace. In addition to paid seats, the recent release of their branded fares through the Sabre Red platform allows Air Canada to strategically highlight attributes that differentiate their products, support brand continuity, and drive customer loyalty.
Sabre is a leader in providing air merchandising solutions for airlines and was the first GDS to deliver a solution when paid seats were first introduced into the market. The company powers distribution of 12 types of ancillaries that represent nearly 600 products and services through the Sabre travel marketplace. Nearly 100 carriers currently sell ancillaries and offer branded fares through the Sabre marketplace and this number continues to grow.
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About Sabre
Sabre Corporation is the leading technology provider to the global travel industry. Sabre’s software, data, mobile and distribution solutions are used by hundreds of airlines and thousands of hotel properties to manage critical operations, including passenger and guest reservations, revenue management, flight, network and crew management. Sabre also operates a leading global travel marketplace, which processes more than US$120 billion of global travel spend annually by connecting travel buyers and suppliers. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, Sabre serves customers in more than 160 countries around the world.
CONTACT:
Daniel Duarte
Sabre, Public Relations
+1 (214) 236-9473