Virgin Atlantic’s three new economy fares to be sold using Sabre technology

Carrier says fares offer better value and flexibility for both customers and agents Continue reading →

Virgin Atlantic has begun using technology powered by Sabre to help travellers and agents buy its three new economy fare types.

Sabre-connected travel agents can now view, compare and sell Virgin Atlantic Economy Light, Economy Classic and Economy Delight fares.

The unbundled fares were announced earlier this month and some agents told Travel Weekly they would cause confusion.

Virgin Atlantic says it offers better value and more flexibility for customers – and agents.

“Virgin Atlantic is an important carrier with a clear strategy to link many popular European destinations with those in North America,” said Alessandro Ciancimino, vice president EMEA, supplier commerce, at Sabre. “Therefore, offering a superior level of choice and transparency is a crucial tactic to help it improve passenger experience and appeal to a wider range of customers.

“The airline’s new branded economy fares offer greater choice and control for passengers over the types of tickets they choose to buy.  Sabre is committed to helping the airline find new ways to market these products and make them available through any booking channel.”

Virgin Atlantic, which carries almost six million passengers per year to more than 30 destinations, hopes Sabre’s technology can help differentiate the fares and encourage agents to upsell.

Sabre facilitates the marketing and sale of airfares, hotel rooms, rental cars, rail tickets and other types of travel, to more than 425,000 travel agents and thousands of corporations who use it to shop, book and manage travel, processing more than $120 billion in travel spend.