Overview of Direct Airline Connections
Sabre Corporation issued a compelling analysis concerning misconceptions surrounding direct airline connections in corporate travel. As some carriers advocate bypassing intermediaries, or ‘cutting out the aggregator’, this analysis reveals that such promises may lead to unexpected costs and fragmented servicing.
Common Misconceptions
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Cheaper Fares? Direct connections are often touted as the most economical choice. However, analysis illustrates that they rarely provide the best rates.
In a Sabre analysis of U.S. airfare during June 2025, findings showed that 90% of searches yielded equal or lower fares through SabreMosaic Travel Marketplace, with 41% being cheaper than direct.
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More Content Direct? Some airlines claim richer content via direct APIs, but these typically utilize the same technology already provided to Sabre, thus not enhancing the overall offering.
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A Smoother Experience? Direct connects are often presented as modern solutions, yet they can create inconsistent experiences for corporate clients, posing a risk of poor servicing.
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Ready for the Future? Airlines suggest that direct connections are designed for future scalability. Still, this may not hold up under the extensive demands of business travel, which necessitates real-time processing capacity.
Conclusion
These common myths demonstrate that while direct connections might appear attractive, the reality could likely result in raised costs and reduced corporate oversight. SabreMosaic Travel Marketplace consolidates content, ensuring visibility and scalability for managed travel.
