Sabre launches first set of NDC APIs with United

Tech firm hails ‘significant step forward’ for travel industry

Sabre Corporation has released its first set of New Distribution Capability (NDC) APIs with launch carrier United Airlines.

Sabre’s Beyond NDC agency partners are using these capabilities to enable live NDC bookings and provide customers with an enhanced shopping experience through offering new fare options and additional flight amenities.

The travel technology company launched its NDC-enabled shopping, booking and fulfilment capability with United Airlines for flights across the airline’s global network, making United the first major airline to launch with Sabre’s NDC capabilities.

The shopping API of Sabre integrates content from all sources, including traditional, low cost carrier and NDC offers.

This development is seen by Sabre as a significant step forward for the travel industry because it moves NDC closer to becoming an everyday reality for travellers, carriers, agencies, corporations and more.

Dave Bartels, vice president of revenue management for United Airlines, said: “United is thrilled to be the first airline to partner with Sabre to offer NDC capabilities through their booking platform as we continue to advance the travel industry.

“We strive to provide the best experience for our customers at each step of their travel journey, including when they shop for flights.

“Working with Sabre to improve the booking process is another way we are able to enhance the experience for our customers.”

Kathy Morgan, vice president of NDC for Sabre, added: “Sabre remains committed to releasing scalable, NDC-enabled offerings that support end-to-end workflows and integrated content.

“This new NDC-enabled world we are bringing to life requires close collaboration and a common vision with entities from every corner of the industry.

“Working with United and all of our Beyond NDC partners to deliver integrated NDC content is the result of the great collaboration we are proud to have led over the last 18 months.”

Sabre is working with its Beyond NDC airline partners to integrate its NDC content this year. It will also release additional capabilities throughout 2019, including integration into its agent desktop workspace, Sabre Red 360.

The travel technology company’s approach goes beyond shopping and will include agency processes such as invoicing, itinerary activities, mid- and back-office workflows and duty of care considerations.

John Bukowski, director of distribution for American Express Global Business Travel, said: “NDC is an important component of a wide-ranging evolution in air content distribution.

“Testing Sabre’s NDC-enabled shopping APIs and working with United to find ways to bring incremental value to clients while maintaining or enhancing full end-to-end capabilities is fundamental to preparing for a successful future.

“Access to NDC content, alongside other new and existing content, would allow us to expand what we offer travellers in a scalable way.

“Modern business travellers have specific expectations: they want access to all content, and they want to know they’re getting the best personalized fares and servicing in an omnichannel environment.

“This is why our collaboration with Sabre and United, which is entirely focused on value creation, is so important in driving the industry forward.”