DALLAS, Dec. 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest
Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) and Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR)
have come to terms on a new full participation distribution
agreement that enables the two companies to continue offering
business Customers access to the carrier's low fares and legendary
Customer service in 2021 and beyond. Under the agreement, Sabre
will continue to distribute Southwest's content through traditional
connectivity to corporations, government agencies, and TMCs through
its global distribution system (GDS).
"Providing our content in Sabre GDS with industry-standard
capabilities has continued to be a top priority of our Customers.
While we've been in discussions with Sabre for well over two years,
we had not made much progress until recently on an agreement that
balances the health of all our channels. We are thrilled to come to
terms that are mutually beneficial for our Customers and continue
our long-standing partnership with Sabre," said Southwest Airlines
Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Watterson. "Southwest set out with a
maverick spirit to democratize the skies five decades ago with a
vision to introduce a whole new way to travel. As we embark on our
50th anniversary in 2021, that vision is alive and well
as we set a path to emerge from this pandemic."
Under the agreement, Sabre will distribute Southwest
Airlines flights and services through its travel
marketplace, providing Sabre connected-agencies and other
travel buyers with uninterrupted access to Southwest Airlines
content. This agreement reflects a broader relationship between the
two companies and will deliver richer capabilities to travel
buyers, including improved schedule and inventory accuracy; last
seat availability; and real-time booking functionality and
the ability to modify Southwest bookings within Sabre.
Implementation teams will work swiftly to bring Southwest
online at full-participation in 2021.
"Sabre is pleased to expand our partnership with Southwest in
providing broad access to Southwest content, especially as
companies evaluate their travel needs in 2021. We recognize
the importance of having Southwest content in our marketplace, and
by reaching this mutually beneficial agreement before year end, we
will continue to deliver uninterrupted access for our customers. At
Sabre, we are committed to partnering with airlines and agencies in
creative ways to deliver the retailing and distribution solutions
that meet customer needs on both sides of the travel marketplace,"
said Chief Commercial Officer for Sabre Travel Solutions,
Roshan Mendis.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 50th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co.
continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with
exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 58,000
Employees to a Customer base that topped 130 million
passengers in 2019. Southwest has the nation's most robust
point-to-point, non-stop route network, with a strong presence in
top leisure and business markets. In peak travel seasons during
2019, Southwest operated more than 4,000 weekday departures among a
network of 101 destinations in the United
States and 10 additional countries. In 2020, the carrier
added service to Hilo, Hawaii;
Cozumel, Mexico; Miami, Palm Springs,
Calif., Steamboat Springs, and Montrose (Telluride). In 2021, Southwest will
begin service to both Chicago
(O'Hare) and Sarasota/Bradenton on February
14; both Savannah/Hilton Head
and Colorado Springs on March 11;
Houston (Bush) on April 12; and, Jackson,
Miss., on June 6. The carrier
has announced an intention to add service in the second quarter of
2021 in Fresno and Santa
Barbara.
ABOUT SABRE CO.
Sabre Corporation is a leading software and technology company
that powers the global travel industry, serving a wide range of
travel companies including airlines, hoteliers, travel agencies and
other suppliers. The company provides retailing, distribution and
fulfilment solutions that help its customers operate more
efficiently, drive revenue and offer personalized traveller
experiences. Through its leading travel marketplace, Sabre connects
travel suppliers with buyers from around the globe. Sabre's
technology platform manages more than $260B worth of global travel spend annually.
Headquartered in Southlake, Texas,
USA, Sabre serves customers in more than 160 countries around the
world. For more information visit www.sabre.com.
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SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.; Sabre Corporation