American Airlines asked a Texas court for permission to stop Sabre's New Airline Storefront display in GDS search results.According to the carrier, the new interface Sabre created with Delta's assistance biases search results towards Delta in violation Sabre's contract.American also wants the court to stop Sabre's payment of incentives to travel agents selling high-value Delta tickets. These incentives are greater than those it pays to agents selling AA's high value products.American has filed a lawsuit in Tarrant County, Texas, June 29. It states that Sabre's new format "does and will disadvantage American" by providing misleading and inaccurate information about American's travel information. Sabre also informed American that it will pay additional incentives to travel agents who book Delta tickets at higher prices under a value-based booking fee model. Travel agents would be able to book business travelers who are critical to their company on American airlines.American requested that the court issue a temporary order, pending the trial, to prevent Sabre's continued use of NAS.Sabre declined to comment.Sabre launched NAS in April. The company plans to make this new display system their default method for fair inquiries on its Sabre 360 Red platform. Sabre describes NAS as a way for customers to compare prices on airline tickets. It displays fare inquiry results on virtual shelves with similar product attributes.As part of a larger strategy to encourage GDS to prominently market its entire product range, Delta helped Sabre develop NAS. As part of this effort, Delta also entered into a revised contract with Sabre. It has eliminated flat segment fees that were standard in the airline-GDS commercial model. Beginning July 1, Delta will adjust the amount it pays Sabre to book a booking based on the booking's value.Sabre claims the new model will increase "enhanced value” for travel advisors.American claimed that the Sabre-Delta agreement violates its contract with Sabre because it encourages travel advisors to sell premium Delta products rather than its own products.The carrier claims that the NAS display format favors Delta, and that Sabre didn't consult with American regarding the NAS design, even though American is Sabre’s largest client.American cites several examples in the lawsuit of display biases. One example is that the American Airlines Flagship First Seat on a transcontinental flight is displayed alongside the Delta and United business-class products. American's business-class offerings are also not included in the display, according to the carrier.Sabre's breach of its contractual obligation to display American fare and flight content in a fair and accurate manner has caused and will continue to cause harm," the lawsuit states. "Travel agents and their customers have the right to transparency and fair and impartial display of travel information via a GDS. Sabre's storefront requires travel agents to go extra mile to locate American products, services, and fares that are comparable to Delta products and services.American requested a jury trial.
