TEXAS-based Sabre Holdings has become the latest travel technology firm to take action against American Airlines, in an ongoing spat over the airline’s plans to force agents into using its Direct Connect booking system rather than their global distribution systems.
Besides downgrading American’s flights on most of its displays and withdrawing booking fee discounts, Sabre has also made clear its intention to end its agreement with American in August, a month ahead of schedule.
The measure by Sabre follows Expedia’s decision to hide American’s airfares on its websites last weekend, after Orbitz Worldwide, which owns ebookers, was forced to pull data on American’s flights having lost a legal dispute against the airline before Christmas.
Sabre said in a statement: “For a number of months, American Airlines has taken actions in an attempt to impose a costly, unproven and unnecessary system on agencies and corporations, including withholding fare content from Sabre.
“We believe these actions are harmful to our agency and corporate customers, as well as consumers, making it harder and more costly to comparison shop. Sabre is taking actions to protect its interests and those of its customers by supporting airlines that value the transparency and efficiency of the proven system we provide.”
