Sabre and IAG Expand Partnership to Enhance Travel Retailing

Sabre Corporation, a leader in travel technology, is expanding its partnership with International Airlines Group (IAG) through a multi-year distribution agreement aimed at modernizing travel retailing. This strategic collaboration will benefit travel agencies, airlines, and travelers alike, bringing more competitive choices and transparency to the booking experience.

What This Means for Travel Agencies and Travelers

Under this agreement, Sabre-connected travel agencies and buyers will have access to both traditional EDIFACT content and New Distribution Capability (NDC) offers from IAG airlines, including British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling. These NDC offers will feature Additional Price Points and a range of ancillaries, ensuring agencies can provide travelers with more tailored and diverse booking options.

With the availability of NDC content, travel agencies will gain greater flexibility in comparing and selecting fares, while travelers will enjoy a more transparent and personalized booking experience. The rollout of these offerings will be phased in on a carrier-by-carrier basis, with updates provided as Sabre and IAG work together to enhance their integration.

A Step Toward the Future of Airline Retailing

This agreement underscores the shift toward modern airline retailing, where airlines can differentiate their products and offer more personalized services. Sabre and IAG are committed to advancing the NDC standard as a key element in the industry's evolution towards a more dynamic and customer-centric approach to airline retailing.

British Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, Colm Lacy, highlighted that this partnership enables them to offer a wide array of competitive deals globally, reinforcing their dedication to enhancing experiences for both travelers and travel agents.

Sabre’s Chief Commercial Officer, Roshan Mendis, also emphasized the transformative potential of this collaboration, noting that it marks a significant step toward a new era of personalized travel retailing. He praised IAG as a progressive partner, dedicated to driving innovation in the travel industry.

What’s Next?

As this partnership unfolds, Sabre-connected agencies can look forward to a seamless transition into the NDC ecosystem, unlocking new opportunities for revenue generation and customer satisfaction. The industry’s move towards digital retailing is gaining momentum, and this agreement is a testament to the growing importance of technology-driven travel solutions.

Stay tuned for updates on the rollout of NDC content across IAG airlines and how this development will continue to shape the future of airline retailing!