American files lawsuit against Sabre American files lawsuit against Sabre




(IF SOUTHWEST CAN SELL TICKETS ONLY ON ITS WEBSITE, THEN BRAVO TO AMR) Ed./blog



Dallas Business Journal - by Candace Carlisle , Staff Writer
Date: Monday, January 10, 2011, 5:42pm CST


Fort Worth-based American Airlines Inc. has sued Sabre to stop the company from downplaying American flights displayed to travel agents.


American says it could lose countless sales, if Sabre is allowed to favor listings of other airlines in data searches, according to a lawsuit filed in a Tarrant County court Monday.

The lawsuit follows a decision by Southlake-based Sabre Holdings Corp., a company that provides airfare information to travel agents, lowering the airline’s displayed position. The company also plans to dump American’s information from its system in August, a month before Sabre’s contract with American officially expires.

Sabre’s decision is part of the fallout in a battle between American Airlines and the travel industry after American announced it would like to reduce the middleman costs and direct travel agents to the airline’s website.


Along with the lawsuit, American filed a temporary restraining order prohibiting Sabre from continuing the lowered display of American flights, said a spokesman for the airline.

“We are gratified that, after a contested hearing, the court has granted American’s request for interim relief, to be in effect until the court considers American’s request for longer term relief,” the spokesman for the airline wrote in a release. “American intends to vigorously pursue its litigation against Sabre, including seeking damages for other violations of our agreements.”


Monday’s lawsuit marks the latest announcement in the battle ...


Fort Worth-based American Airlines Inc. has sued Sabre to stop the company from downplaying American flights displayed to travel agents.


American says it could lose countless sales, if Sabre is allowed to favor listings of other airlines in data searches, according to a lawsuit filed in a Tarrant County court Monday.


The lawsuit follows a decision by Southlake-based Sabre Holdings Corp., a company that provides airfare information to travel agents, lowering the airline’s displayed position. The company also plans to dump American’s information from its system in August, a month before Sabre’s contract with American officially expires.


Sabre’s decision is part of the fallout in a battle between American Airlines and the travel industry after American announced it would like to reduce the middleman costs and direct travel agents to the airline’s website.
Along with the lawsuit, American filed a temporary restraining order prohibiting Sabre from continuing the lowered display of American flights, said a spokesman for the airline.


“We are gratified that, after a contested hearing, the court has granted American’s request for interim relief, to be in effect until the court considers American’s request for longer term relief,” the spokesman for the airline wrote in a release. “American intends to vigorously pursue its litigation against Sabre, including seeking damages for other violations of our agreements.”


Monday’s lawsuit marks the latest announcement in the battle between American and the travel community, which has included Orbitz and Expedia pulling American's flight information.