For more than 40 years, Sabre has been developing innovations and transforming the business of travel. From the original Sabre® computer reservations system in the 1960s, to advanced airline yield management systems in the 1980s, to leading travel Web sites today, Sabre technology has traveled through time, around the world and touched all points of the travel industry.
1960s
The first Sabre system is installed in 1960 on two IBM 7090 computers located in a specially-designed computer center in Briarcliff Manor, New York. The mainframe system is state-of-the-art technology in its time and processes 84,000 telephone calls per day. The initial research, development and installation investment in this system took 400 man-years of effort at a development cost of almost $40 million.
The final Sabre system cutover is complete in 1964. The telecommunications network of the system extends from coast to coast in the United States. It is the largest, private real-time data processing system-second only to the U.S. government. Once the final city is cutover, the system saves American Airlines 30 percent on its investments in staff alone, and delivers an error rate of less than one percent, creating a competitive edge that will last for the next five to seven years.
1970s
In 1972, the Sabre system is upgraded to IBM 360s and moved to a new consolidated computer center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, designed to house all of American Airlines' data processing facilities. The upgrade and move to Tulsa are completed with a total of 15 minutes' interruption of services to the airline's agents.
The Sabre system is installed in a travel agency for the first time in 1976. By year's end, the system is installed in 130 locations. Of the top 100 agency accounts located in highly competitive markets who select automation systems, 86 percent elect to use the Sabre system.
The Sabre system stores 1 million fares in 1978.
1980s
In 1983, Sabre expands its computer reservations system to Canadian travel agents.
Bargain Findersm pricing is introduced in 1984 via the Sabre system. This low-fare search capability automatically advises which class of service is the least expensive for the flights booked - a service unmatched in the industry.
1985 -The introduction of easySabre® allows consumers using personal computers to tap into the Sabre system via computer online services to access airline, hotel and car rental reservations.
1986 -After four years of development Sabre installs the airline industry's first automated yield management system, which prices airline seats to yield the maximum revenue for each flight.
The Sabre system is extended to the United Kingdom, paving the way for widespread international expansion of the system in the decade to follow.
1988 - Sabre begins providing software, consulting and systems management services to other airlines in areas such as revenue accounting, yield management and crew scheduling.
1988 - The Sabre system stores 36 million fares which can be combined to create over 1 billion fare options.
1990s
Sabre introduces Sabre® AirFlite™ flight scheduling system in 1992.
In 1994 Sabre and SNCF (French National Railroad) install the RESARAILâ„¢ rail reservations and distribution system for the TGV network. The system is subsequently extended to the English Channel Tunnel.
Sabre Y2K work begins in 1995 which involves checking more than 200 million lines of software code, confirming proper interfaces with more than 600 suppliers, providing new software to more than 40,000 travel agents, and testing more than 1,200 hardware and software systems.
Sabre becomes a separate legal entity of AMR in July of 1996 followed by a successful initial public offering in October in which AMR releases approximately 18 percent of its shares to be publicly traded.
Also in 1996, Travelocity.com is launched - the first site to offer travel reservations and comprehensive destination and event information on the Internet.
In 1998 Sabre forms a joint venture with ABACUS International to establish the Sabre system as the CRS market leader in Asia. More than 7,300 ABACUS travel agencies in 16 countries convert to a customized new version of the system.
Sabre completes the largest system migration ever in the airline industry, when 200 US Airways systems are shut down and shifted to Sabre systems.
Sabre launches Best Fare Finder pricing in April, 1999 - an industry-first software product that searches for flights based on specific fares.
Sabre® Virtually There™, a Web-based system that provides travelers with up-to-the minute itinerary and destination information via the Internet is introduced in November, 1999.
Sabre® Sales Manager is also launched in 1999. A software solution that enables airlines to deliver customized marketing messages to travelers.
2000s
In 2000, Sabre® eVoyasm is introduced as the next generation of travel agency technology tools, making it simple for Sabre Connected travel agencies to become Internet-ready.
In November, Sabre introduced Sabre® Aerodynamic Traveler™, a new suite of passenger processing applications designed to expedite the airline check-in process and reduce long lines at airports. From check-in to passenger boarding, the Sabre Aerodynamic Traveler product family maximizes customer service by providing real-time access to airline boarding data. These introduced new innovations including:
Sabre® RovingAgent™ wireless passenger check-in system. This product lets airline gate agents use a hand-held device to make seat assignments, print boarding passes and bag tags, issue vouchers and handle other routine tasks. The system makes it simple for airlines to re-accommodate passengers who have missed connecting flights.
Sabre® PassTouch™ self-serve kiosk passenger system. With the touch-screen kiosk, passengers can use a frequent-flyer card, smart card or major credit card to identify themselves and check in. This product gives airlines an extra way to provide critical passenger services without additional investment in real estate or human resources.
Sabre® Wireless Check-In System. This product uses voiceprint technology to let travelers check in for flights using their wireless phones. A bar-coded boarding pass is then transmitted directly to the traveler's wireless phone screen.