The Direct Connect Disconnect: Sabre Separates Fact from Fiction

Core Insights - The article emphasizes that direct airline connections in corporate travel may not deliver the promised benefits and can lead to unexpected costs and complexities [1][8] Misconceptions about Direct Airline Connections - Misconception 1 - Cheaper fares? Almost never: Direct connections are often marketed as the cheapest option, but a Sabre analysis found that SabreMosaic Travel Marketplace provided equal or lower fares in over 90% of searches, with 41% being cheaper than direct [3][11] - Misconception 2 - More content direct? Think again: Airlines claim that direct NDC APIs offer richer content, but they use the same NDC APIs provided to Sabre, leading to content fragmentation and visibility issues for travel managers [4][11] - Misconception 3 - A smoother experience? Not for corporates: Direct connects are presented as modern solutions, but they create inconsistent booking experiences, which can be problematic for corporate travel that requires reliability and compliance [5][11] - Misconception 4 - Built for the future? Not at scale: Airlines promote direct connects as future-ready, but they cannot handle the scale of business travel effectively, risking visibility and access to all available fares [6][11] SabreMosaic Travel Marketplace - The SabreMosaic Travel Marketplace integrates content from 38 NDC airlines, over 150 low-cost carriers, and more than 420 EDIFACT carriers, providing corporate buyers with a comprehensive and consistent platform [10]