Moving to Sabre?

[oz_mark]

Interesting snippet in the CEO's address at the VBA AGM

We can announce today that we will be introducing a new Sabre Reservation system, the SabreSonic Customer Sales and Service Solution

 

[simongr]

That's the same system that AA uses isn't it?

 

[TheInsider]

Wouldn't it make more sense to continue on with Amadeus (their system that VA uses)?

 

[Virgin Australia]

Because you asked.... from the press release:

23 NOVEMBER 2011
Virgin Australia group of airlines today announced it will transition to ticketed operations by introducing the new SabreSonic® Customer Sales and Service (CSS) system; a next generation reservations system. This decision is a key step in its Game Change Program strategy of becoming the airline of choice in Australia.
The Sabre platform will deliver a complete end-to-end business solution for guest reservations and ticketed operations. It will incorporate sales distribution and merchandising; guest recognition; electronic ticketing; ecommerce; inventory and revenue management; check-in and departure control - all in a single integrated platform.


Virgin Australia group of airlines Chief Financial Officer, Sankar Narayan, said: “This next step is critical in realising our strategic vision of becoming one integrated airline and providing a seamless travel experience for guests across our global airline network.”
“The Sabre system will enhance our performance capabilities across our business, enable us to support integrated ticketing with our Alliance partners and provide an elevated level of recognition for our customers.
Importantly, it will support the excellent work our team members already do in providing our guests with a first-rate travel experience.”
“Our Program Team will form a strong collaborative partnership with Sabre to ensure the quality of the integrated solution incorporating our people, business processes and technology. These aspects will be our focus to ensure the best possible outcome for our airline and our guests,” Mr Narayan said.
Sabre Airline Solutions President Hugh Jones said: "Virgin Australia is one of the fastest growing carriers in the Australasian market with a reputation for providing innovative service and value to its guests. We’re excited about being selected as their technology partner as they look to expand and become the number one airline in Australia. Our teams are ready and committed to delivering a flexible, next-generation reservations system that will strengthen their business capabilities for delivering seamless travel experiences for their guests."


The Virgin Australia group of airlines expects to have migrated to Sabre by March 2013.

Existing clients of the SabreSonic systems are Virgin America, JetBlue and WestJet, to name a couple.

 

[notzac]

That's the same system that AA uses isn't it?

IIRC, AA designed and created Sabre. The Sabre of today is a rather different beast; AA spun it off as a separate entity some time ago. Whether AA are using "vanilla" Sabre that their competitors now use, or some customised version - I don't know.

 

[notzac]

Oh, and once DJ/VA are live on Sabre, you should be able to retrieve PNRs via www.virtuallythere.com

 

[maninblack]

Good news indeed. I think we will see changes to the entire internet booking process and I assume the website.

 

[LiamR]

Amadeus>Sabre.

That is all.

 

[notzac]

Amadeus>Sabre.

That is all.

Reason?

Not disagreeing with you, I don't know enough about either to have an informed opinion.

 

[LiamR]

Reason?

Not disagreeing with you, I don't know enough about either to have an informed opinion.

Amadeus is designed for a LCC, since about 8 years ago Virgin have been writing their own bolt on solutions each time they need a new feature or introduce a new product/service. Over the years this has created a jumbled mess of their IT system, on top of this, little of their work is documented so whenever there is a glitch it isn't easily or quickly fixed. It's lead to some very strange quirks within the Virgin/Velocity systems.

Their loyalty system and ticket sales system are completely separate and don't integrate well.

In my eyes Amadeus is a LCC system, and Virgin have been pushing the envelope to add a loyalty/Premium Fares/Lounge Membership function in the past few years.

Sabre (Hopefully) will be a more total centralised solution, like Qantas. Which will lead to fewer quirks and glitches with the two systems.

I think Virgin already use parts of Sabre within their company, maybe for staff rostering? Can't remember.

There's a really good article explaining this in an old Virgin Blue inflight magazine. I'll try and dig it up when I'm home next.

 

[notzac]

Amadeus is designed for a LCC....

Errrr.. Amadeus is used by QF, BA, EY, even VA - along with others I can't immediately think of. Did you perhaps mean Open Skies / New Skies by Navitaire?

And yes, a traditional GDS-based system for reservations (like Sabre) seems like a much better idea to me as well.

 

[nlagalle]

Amadeus>Sabre.

That is all.

And shouldn't your ">" be "<" ??

 

[williamsf1]

Amadeus is designed for a LCC, since about 8 years ago Virgin have been writing their own bolt on solutions each time they need a new feature or introduce a new product/service. Over the years this has created a jumbled mess of their IT system, on top of this, little of their work is documented so whenever there is a glitch it isn't easily or quickly fixed. It's lead to some very strange quirks within the Virgin/Velocity systems.

Their loyalty system and ticket sales system are completely separate and don't integrate well.

In my eyes Amadeus is a LCC system, and Virgin have been pushing the envelope to add a loyalty/Premium Fares/Lounge Membership function in the past few years.

Sabre (Hopefully) will be a more total centralised solution, like Qantas. Which will lead to fewer quirks and glitches with the two systems.

I think Virgin already use parts of Sabre within their company, maybe for staff rostering? Can't remember.

There's a really good article explaining this in an old Virgin Blue inflight magazine. I'll try and dig it up when I'm home next.

My understanding is that the old " Virgin Blue " was on Navitair ..... and Virgin Australia was on Amadeus

As your your comment Amadeus is designed for a LCC , why the hell would CX and SQ be migrating to this system over the next few years ?

I find this a strange decision from Virgin , considering EY is a Amadeus user .... The only thing I can think of is may be John B had a few " issues" with Amadeus in his QF days ?

 

[oz_mark]

I find this a strange decision from Virgin , considering EY is a Amadeus user .... The only thing I can think of is may be John B had a few " issues" with Amadeus in his QF days ?

I would expect that they put out Requests for Proposals (or something similar) to the main players, and selected the best value option from that. May also have helped that Virgin America have migrated to Sabre recently.

 

[Noob]

Correct me if I am wrong but I think there are many different types of each program that are offered to fit the carrier's service model, hence, it can not be said program X is specifically for LCCs or program Y is for Full service carriers. This is clear from Sabre's website "No matter your airline’s size, complexity, region or business model, we provide you with the right solution." http://tinyurl.com/7cw76dj

One would assume VA have done a heck of a lot of research before making this investment and see this as the right route for them.

Amadeus is used by QF.

 

[LiamR]

Errrr.. Amadeus is used by QF, BA, EY, even VA - along with others I can't immediately think of. Did you perhaps mean Open Skies / New Skies by Navitaire?

And yes, a traditional GDS-based system for reservations (like Sabre) seems like a much better idea to me as well.

Doh. I was thinking of Open Skies By Navitaire but somehow Amadeus came out.

And shouldn't your ">" be "<" ??

Doh again. What is wrong with me? Yes. >

My understanding is that the old " Virgin Blue " was on Navitair ..... and Virgin Australia was on Amadeus

As your your comment Amadeus is designed for a LCC , why the hell would CX and SQ be migrating to this system over the next few years ?

I find this a strange decision from Virgin , considering EY is a Amadeus user .... The only thing I can think of is may be John B had a few " issues" with Amadeus in his QF days ?

I was under the impression Virgin Blue was still on Navitaire, but I could be totally wrong. As described earlier, I meant Navataire, not Amadeus (Which is very good, as mentioned used by many large carriers around the world)

What a horrible post from me, I apologise for unprofessionalism. *Hangs head in Shame*

 

[TheInsider]

I was under the impression Virgin Blue was still on Navitaire, but I could be totally wrong. As described earlier, I meant Navataire, not Amadeus (Which is very good, as mentioned used by many large carriers around the world)

DJ - Virgin Australia, Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue use Navitaire.
VA - VAustralia use Amadeus

Still going to Sabre when they already have the Amadeus license is a bit crazy?

 

[TheInsider]

I think Virgin already use parts of Sabre within their company, maybe for staff rostering? Can't remember.
.

AFAIK Jetstar use Sabre for crewing and a few other functions.

 

[nlagalle]

What a horrible post from me, I apologise for unprofessionalism. *Hangs head in Shame*

And you call yourself a Frequent Flyer!!!

 

[LiamR]

And you call yourself a Frequent Flyer!!!

Maybe my brain is fried after the 7 sectors I've done in the past 5 days?