In the on going battle between airlines and distributors, it looks like Sabre is calling American Airlines bluff ... and its working.
Sabre Holdings, a major distributor of airline tickets to coveted business travellers, said it would immediately make American fares harder to find in its displays. It's also dropping a discount on the fees the airline pays when its tickets are sold. Sabre plans to end its contract with American in August, although it expects the parties to discuss an agreement between now and then.
American got the attention of the travel business last month by pulling flight listings from online travel site Orbitz when they couldn't agree on a new contract. Expedia then dropped American flight listings. The two competitors were on the same side in resisting American's attempts to force them to get flight and fare information directly from it instead of through so-called global distribution services like Sabre.
The spat highlights how airlines want more control over what travellers see when they search for a ticket and who gets paid when they click "Buy." Airlines want travellers to be able to buy more add-ons such as seat upgrades, baggage, and internet access when they buy their ticket. Online sellers have said they're working to make that possible.
Read the full article here: Metro - Sabre ramps up online travel battle with American
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