Upgrade IQ™ enables airlines to better manage seat upgrades and generate incremental revenue by filling unsold seats in premium cabins

 

Sabre partnered with Hopper to incorporate its best-in-class bidding platform to provide a frictionless traveler experience

  Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), a leading software and technology provider powering the global travel industry, today announced its newest AI-powered retailing solution for airlines – Sabre Upgrade IQ™. A PSS-agnostic solution, Upgrade IQ can help airlines generate incremental and diversified revenue by optimizing the available inventory in their premium cabins, while elevating and streamlining the customer experience.   With Upgrade IQ, airlines can give travelers the opportunity to bid for a seat upgrade at any stage during the pre-travel timeframe – throughout the booking flow, at check-in, in the airline’s mobile app or via email communication.   Using the advanced AI and machine-learning models powered by Sabre Travel AI™, Upgrade IQ dynamically prices upgrade offers, recommending the minimum and maximum proposed bid values along with the starting price for the bid, supporting airlines’ efforts to optimize revenue opportunities. During beta testing, Upgrade IQ demonstrated the ability to deliver up to 20% uplift in incremental upgrade revenue by filling empty seats in premium cabins.   In addition to leveraging AI capabilities from Google, Sabre integrated with Hopper’s platform to create a frictionless and streamlined customer experience. The new Sabre solution incorporates Hopper’s advanced bidding platform which facilitates the bidding process and enables airlines to communicate with travelers in multiple languages and in-real time.   “Sabre’s latest AI solution is a testament to the power of strategic partnerships in driving innovation and speed-to-market. By collaborating with Google and Hopper on some of the core technical capabilities, we have delivered a modern retailing solution to help airlines better manage seat upgrades and create differentiated customer experiences,” said Garry Wiseman, Chief Product Officer, Sabre Travel Solutions. “We are thrilled with the positive response we’re receiving from airline customers who clearly understand how our Retail Intelligence solutions like Upgrade IQ can help drive increased revenue along with a better experience for travelers.”   Upgrade IQ streamlines the management of seat upgrades for airlines with an intuitive and automated interface that can automatically accept traveler bids, change the flight itinerary cabins, re-issue and revalidate the tickets, process payments and send receipts and confirmation information to the traveler. It also supports instant upgrades, where the traveler chooses to pay full price for a guaranteed upgrade.   The latest solution in Sabre’s Retail Intelligence suite, Upgrade IQ complements the company’s existing airline retailing solutions including Air Price IQ™ and Sabre Ancillary IQ™. Built by Sabre utilizing Google’s state-of-the art artificial intelligence capabilities and Sabre Travel AI™, Retail Intelligence is a suite of scalable solutions that use real-time industry insights and advanced machine-learning models to increase revenue opportunities by moving from static pricing rules to targeted real-time offers.

Sabre Corporation  has agreed an expanded partnership with Virgin Australia. It will unlock enhanced retailing capability. "We've had a strong and highly successful relationship with Virgin Australia for many years, so we're delighted to build on that foundation," said Roshan Mendis, CCO, Sabre Travel Solutions.  "Adding this suite of solutions will enable Virgin Australia to step into the future of modern airline retailing." Under the new agreement, Virgin will deploy Sabre Air Price IQ and Sabre Ancillary IQ designed to help airlines improve revenue management optimisation. Powered by Sabre Travel AI, the solutions use flight and market insights combined with advanced machine-learning models. They have also renewed their multi-year distribution agreement so Sabre-connected travel agencies can continue to book and service  air and ancillary offers. Dave Emerson, CCO, Virgin Australia said: "Our deeper alliance with Sabre will enable us to create better offers for customers." Virgin Australia uses an extensive portfolio of Sabre solutions, including Sabre's Passenger Service Solution (PSS), Fares Manager, E-commerce platform and Network Planning tools. After relaunching the airline in 2020, Virgin Australia currently flies to 42 domestic and seven international destinations.

Sabre Corporation announced a new strategic alliance with Sydney-based Airline Rep Services, part of CVFR Travel Group. Under the agreement, Airline Rep Services will promote Sabre solutions to travel agents in Fiji and across the South Pacific islands. This new alliance will bring local representation into Fiji, while growing Sabre's distribution presence across the South Pacific region. Aided by Airline Rep Services, South Pacific travel agents will be better able to access Sabre's tech, including Sabre Red 360. It unlocks a full suite of bookable content, including NDC offers, flights and lodging. "With strong travel demand in Fiji and the South Pacific, it is imperative that travel agents across the region have access to the right tech solutions,” said Ram Chhabra, CEO, CVFR Travel Group.  "We're thrilled that we have entered into this timely alliance to give agents the solutions they need." CVFR Travel Group was established over 30 years ago. It has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland, and Fiji. The Group comprises four independent divisions in consolidation, airline representation, destination management, and Government Visa outsourcing. The office in Nadi, Fiji will be the focal point for the new alliance with Sabre. It will serve as a dedicated space to bring travel agents together for joint engagements and training.

Sabre Corporation has sealed a new distribution agreement with Hong Kong's Greater Bay Airlines. Greater Bay Airlines’ content will be integrated into Sabre's Global Distribution System, and accessible to Sabre connected travel agents. It enables the airline to reach a wider audience and maximise its distribution reach. The deal further strengthens Sabre's presence in the Hong Kong travel market. Sabre-connected travel agents will be able to create optimum offers for Greater Bay flights. "Having launched our scheduled services in July 2022, we're now focusing on expanding our regional network," said Gloria Slethaug, GM, Marketing and Sales, GBA. "It was vital to choose the right technology partner to enable us to enhance our distribution capabilities to travel agents." Greater Bay Airlines is aiming to play an increasing role in Hong Kong's tourism growth. The carrier flew its inaugural flight to Bangkok last summer and has recently added a sixth destination to its network with the launch of Ho Chi Minh City flights. It plans to expand its fleet and add further international services in the coming years.

Sabre has kicked off its Sabre Space Asia Pacific roadshow. The aim of the roadshow is to help its travel agency partners to optimise their businesses. The Sabre Space brings key members of Sabre's leadership team together with travel agency partners in cities across APAC. It has started in Sydney and Singapore and will soon head to Manila and Taiwan. Additional cities will follow thereafter. The Sabre team will talk about its latest plans to modernise travel retailing, and how travel agents can automate workflows. The events include a deep dive into the future of NDC and the transition to an Offer & Order model. There will be a series of quick-fire sessions, and demonstration booths, to focus on how travel agents can increase revenue while reducing costs. Brett Thorstad, VO, Sabre Travel Solutions, Agency Sales said: "It's fantastic to talk about how we can better embrace technological innovation. "We're more excited now than ever about the significant opportunities to empower our travel partners."

Sabre Corporation has successfully implemented a full suite of Sabre network planning and optimisation solutions for Malaysia Airlines. The carrier has already started using it to optimise schedules, evaluate routes and manage network planning. It marks the completion of the second phase of the Sabre solutions implementation with Malaysia Airlines. Earlier this year, Sabre Schedule Manager, Codeshare Manager, and Slot Manager solutions were completed. The carrier is now also able to utilise Sabre Profit Manager, Fleet Manager, and Network Manager. Together, these solutions give Malaysia Airlines better decision support tools to improve schedule profitability, and better meet capacity with demand. "We can now take full advantage of a wide range of Sabre solutions as we move forward with ambitious growth plans," said Bryan Foong, Group Chief Strategy Officer, Malaysia Airlines. "We're seeing the value these solutions are bringing us in making timely schedule changes." Malaysia Airlines is now focused on ramping up capacity to pre-pandemic levels.  

South Korea travel agency Yellow Balloon Tour has tapped Sabre Corporation to accelerate its growth in the online space.  The companies announced a new long-term agreement for Sabre's Sabre Red 360 interface and Sabre APIs to create trips for travellers. Yellow Balloon Tour makes Sabre its preferred global distribution system (GDS) to book and service leading airline, hotel and other travel content, including NDC offers. The Seoul-based travel agency is also focused on boosting its presence in the online marketplace with Sabre's APIs. "It is imperative to us to work with a travel technology partner who can help us to drive value for our customers," said Kim Jin Kook, CEO, Yellow Balloon Tour.  "Sabre's technology will help us to shape the trips our clients want." Sabre Red 360 enables a customisable user experience, for travel consultants to create personalised offers. "As South Korea continues its recovery, we're delighted with this new phase of our partnership," said Brett Thorstad, VP, Sabre Travel Solutions, Asia Pacific.

Sabre Corporation has inked a long-term renewal with Taiwan agency South East Travel.  The agreement continues the use of Sabre solutions to support its business expansion. South East Travel will continue deploying Sabre Red 360, which unlocks a full spectrum of bookable content. The Taipei-based agency is also using Sabre's Ticket Express, Automated Exchanges, Automated Refunds, and Bargain Finder Max. "We're delighted to extend and expand upon our strategic technology agreement with Sabre," said Joe Huang, General Manager, Ticketing Division of South East Travel. "Sabre has been our valued travel technology provider for more than 30 years." South East Travel was established more than 60 years ago. The group's services include group travel, air tickets, cruises, and business travel. It boasts more than 70 outlets across Taiwan, China, Japan and the United States.

Air India has announced a new multi-year airline distribution pact with Sabre Corp. The deal enables travel agents to access Air India fares and content through Sabre's global travel marketplace. Air India has ambitious expansion plans following a bumper 470 aircraft order. The airline is also leveraging Sabre's consultancy expertise to help determine optimal routes. "We're delighted to have reestablished and enhanced our relationship with Sabre at this transformative time,” said Nipun Aggarwal, CCO, Air India. The long-term global distribution partnership supports the airline’s growth plans and five-year transformation plan. Air India content is expected to be available from 4 May through Sabre's travel marketplace.

Sabre Corporation announced a new Global Distribution System agreement with Korean low-cost carrier Jin Air. Under the multi-year agreement, Jin Air will be able to put its offers and fares in front of hundreds of thousands of Sabre-connected travel agents globally. Agencies are able to book and ticket Jin Air content via Sabre's GDS. Launched in 2008, Jin Air has an extensive domestic route network, as well as connections across Asia, including Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. "We are thrilled to bring more choices to consumers via their preferred Sabre-connected agencies in Korea, and globally," said Rakesh Narayanan, VP Asia Pacific ."We look forward to enabling the carrier to fuel recovery and growth for its own business and the wider travel industry."

Sabre Corp announced an agreement with Tian Xia Fang Cang to create new revenue opportunities for China hotels. Tian Xia Fang Cang will market Sabre Hospitality's solutions in China. The focus is for Chinese hoteliers to reach hundreds of thousands of travel agents on all major Global Distribution Systems (GDSs). This is done through Sabre Hospitality's SynXis platform. "China hotels must take the time now to ensure they are prepared to capitalize on pent-up travel demand," said Tian Xia Fang Cang CEO Seven Wu. SaaS-based hotel platform Tian Xia Fang Cang provides e-commerce solutions for hotels. It will now be able to enhance its offerings with GDS distribution through Sabre.

China Southern Airlines has renewed its GDS partnership with Sabre Corp as the airline ramps up its overseas network.   The multi-year renewal ensures that China Southern can continue distributing its content to Sabre-connected travel agents. The deal strengthens a long-standing relationship between China Southern, which is China's largest carrier by passenger volume. The airline will use the Sabre GSD partnership to get its fares and offers to agents, and their travellers, globally. China Southern’s main hubs are Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Beijing Daxing International. "We're thrilled China Southern has demonstrated extended confidence in Sabre's advanced technology  ", said Sabre’s Rakesh Narayanan.