Etihad Airways to move to new $1bn Sabre booking system
Etihad Airways will make its ‘Big Switch’ to new, state-of-the-art, passenger sales, website, and check-in systems next week, the most significant milestone in its US$1 billion, ten-year, deal with Sabre Airline Solutions.
The Passenger Service System transformation project is the most challenging IT and business-critical initiative that the Abu Dhabi-based airline has implemented in its history.
It has involved intensive training for 6,700 Etihad Airways and third party staff.
The Big Switch will integrate Etihad Airways’ current PSS into one platform that will utilise cutting-edge software across its reservations, inventory, eCommerce, distribution and departure control activities.
The new Sabre Airline Solutions PSS will offer significant enhancements to the customer experience especially in areas such as mobile and guest communications.
The Big Switch will start on 23 February, and is due for completion on February 24th.
All booking channels will be down from 11:00 on Friday February 22nd and are expected to resume during the day on Sunday February 24th
Etihad Airways has begun contacting customers and this will continue as the Big Switch draws closer.
The airline’s website will also continue to feature key information as well as Etihad Airways’ Facebook, Twitter and Google+ accounts.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ chief commercial officer, said: “The new Sabre passenger services system will offer a wealth of new benefits to Etihad Airways and its customers and we are looking forward to its impact across the business and in particular to customer experience.
“The Big Switch to the new passenger services system however is a significant operation, involving thousands of members of Etihad Airways staff around the world, and therefore we strongly advise our customers to follow the guidelines which will help reduce any potential disruption to their travel plans.”