Sabre Corporation is an air travel technology company located in Southlake, Texas. It is currently the largest worldwide distribution company for air lines, airline tickets and reservations in North America. American Airlines launched the company in 1960, and after several mergers and acquisitions it has now been spun-off into its own company.
Sabre has built its reputation on three main products: a world class traveling experience, the airline reservation system and the credit card payment system. The traveling experience is provided by their award winning fleet aircraft and includes seating arrangement, a first class cabin and dining services. The airline reservation system provides online access to a number of airlines, which enables customers to make their reservations and get detailed information about each flight in a matter of minutes. For added convenience customers are also offered the option to telephone or use software designed for this purpose. Customers can pay through the credit card system, which guarantees a safe, secure transaction for both passengers and the airline.
In order to operate this large distribution network, Sabre uses over 50 different distribution nodes operated by IBM Solutions in India. These nodes are spread around the world, primarily in Asia and Europe, but some will also be found operating in other markets. IBM’s role as a distributor is to provide IT infrastructure to the airlines, so all Sabre employees need no special training to work with these systems. IBM also provides software development and consulting services to improve airline security. Sabre Corporation uses many of the same IBM solutions that are used in manufacturing, so all employees are trained on the same processes and technology.
Airline passenger experience is a critical step toward completing the customer journey and ensuring a successful business relationship. When airplanes are filled with travelers and cargo they need to be comfortable and secure. A company such as Sabre that provides a high level of airline customer care can help create an atmosphere that promotes passenger satisfaction and loyalty.
One example of how Sabre can help an airline is by providing direct support to UK airways. Using its global travel agents, Sabre can be a partner in improving efficiencies and reducing costs. Travel agents working for Sabre can find ways to streamline operations, increase customer service, reduce expenses, and provide more efficient and reliable services. This results in a higher level of customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Being able to leverage the strength and power of one of the world’s most respected brands, the company can lead the travel industry in developing new services and products. The company has recently announced several innovative partnerships that will further its efforts in the development of new services and products. These partnerships include an investment in the Virgin Group by the Middle East for the production of Airways, and the formation of the Airways Connect venture, a joint venture between British Airways and Qatar Airways. With its strong management team and extensive global network of carriers and air carriers, the corporation is on its way to establishing itself as a leading provider of air transport. For Sabre, these are a series of key steps toward establishing itself as a technology leader in the global travel industry. It now has the responsibility to deliver a critical step toward completing its strategic realignment.
