Q2 2026 Sabre Corp Earnings Call

August 6, 2026

Speaker #1: Good morning, and welcome to Sabre's second quarter 2026 earnings conference call. My name is Rivka, and I'll be your operator. As a reminder, please note today's call is being recorded.

Operator: Good morning, and welcome to Sabre's Q2 2026 Earnings Conference Call. My name is Rivka, and I'll be your operator. As a reminder, please note today's call is being recorded. I will now turn the call over to the Vice President of Investor Relations, Jim Mathias. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: I will now turn the call over to the Vice President of Investor Relations, Jim Matthias, please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Good morning, and welcome to our second quarter 2026 earnings call. This morning, we issued an earnings press release, which is available on our website, at investors.sabre.com.

Jim Mathias: Good morning, and welcome to our Q2 2026 earnings call. This morning, we issued an earnings press release, which is available on our website at investors.sabre.com. A slide presentation, which accompanies today's prepared remarks, is also available during this call on the Sabre Investor Relations webpage. A replay of today's call will be available on our website later this morning. We advise you that our comments contain forward-looking statements that represent our beliefs or expectations about future events, including results of our growth strategies, our AI offerings, and AI-related developments in the industry, transactions and bookings growth, expectations regarding the Middle East conflict and recovery, as well as the impact of other geopolitical events, commercial and strategic arrangements, our financial guidance, outlook and expectations, pro forma financial information, free cash flow, and liquidity, among others.

Jim Mathias: Good morning, and welcome to our Q2 2026 earnings call. This morning, we issued an earnings press release, which is available on our website at investors.sabre.com. A slide presentation, which accompanies today's prepared remarks, is also available during this call on the Sabre investor relations webpage. A replay of today's call will be available on our website later this morning. We advise you that our comments contain forward-looking statements that represent our beliefs or expectations about future events, including results of our growth strategies, our AI offerings, and AI-related developments in the industry, transactions and bookings growth, expectations regarding the Middle East conflict and recovery, as well as the impact of other geopolitical events, commercial and strategic arrangements, our financial guidance, outlook and expectations, pro forma financial information, free cash flow, and liquidity, among others.

Speaker #2: A slide presentation, which accompanies today's prepared remarks, is also available during this call on the Sabre Investor Relations webpage. A replay of today's call will be available on our website later this morning.

Speaker #2: We advised you that our comments contain forward-looking statements that represent our beliefs or expectations about future events including results of our growth strategies, our AI offerings, and AI-related developments in the industry, transactions and bookings growth, expectations regarding the Middle East conflict and recovery, as well as the impact of other geopolitical events, commercial and strategic arrangements, our financial guidance, outlook and expectations, pro forma financial information, free cash flow, and liquidity, among others.

Speaker #2: All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made on today's conference call. More information on these risks and uncertainties is contained in our earnings release issued this morning and our SEC filings, including our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026.

Jim Mathias: All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made on today's conference call. More information on these risks and uncertainties is contained in our earnings release issued this morning and our SEC filings, including our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026. Throughout today's call, we will also be presenting certain non-GAAP financial measures. References during today's call to adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, normalized adjusted EBITDA, normalized adjusted EBITDA margin, and adjusted technology and adjusted SG&A expenses have been adjusted to exclude certain items. The most directly comparable GAAP measures and reconciliations for non-GAAP measures are available in the earnings release and other documents posted on our website at investors.sabre.com. Normalized amounts have been adjusted for estimated costs historically allocated to our Hospitality Solutions business, which was sold on 3 July 2025.

Speaker #2: Throughout today's call, we will also be presenting certain non-GAAP financial measures, references during today's call to adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, normalized adjusted EBITDA, normalized adjusted EBITDA margin, and adjusted technology and adjusted SG&A expenses, have been adjusted to exclude certain items.

Speaker #2: The most directly comparable GAAP measures and reconciliations for non-GAAP measures are available in the earnings release and other documents posted on our website, at investors.sabre.com.

Speaker #2: Normalized amounts have been adjusted for estimated costs business, which was sold on July 3, 2025. We are also presenting certain financial information on a pro forma basis to give effect to the sale of the hospitality solutions business.

Jim Mathias: We are also presenting certain financial information on a pro forma basis to give effect to the sale of the Hospitality Solutions business. Unless otherwise noted, results presented are based on continuing operations. As a reminder, effective last quarter, we updated the terminology used to describe our revenue to better reflect our evolving brand identity and market positioning. Historically referred to as Distribution and IT Solutions, these revenue streams have been renamed Marketplace and Airline Technology, respectively. The specific revenue from products, services, and underlying solutions offered within each category remain unchanged. Participating with me today are Kurt Ekert, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Mike Randolfi, Chief Financial Officer. With that, I will turn the call over to Kurt.

Speaker #2: Unless otherwise noted, results presented are based on continuing operations. As a reminder, effective last quarter, we updated the terminology used to describe our revenue to better reflect our evolving brand identity and market positioning.

Speaker #2: Historically referred to as distribution and IT solutions, these revenue streams have been renamed marketplace and airline technology respectively. The specific revenue from products, services, and underlying solutions offered within each category remain unchanged.

Speaker #2: Participating with me today are Kurt Ekert, President and Chief Executive Officer; and Mike Randolfi, Chief Financial Officer. With that, I will turn the call over to Kurt.

Speaker #3: Thanks, Jim. Good morning, and thank you for joining us. In the second quarter, we delivered results ahead of our expectations, and generated positive free cash flow.

Kurt Ekert: Thanks, Jim. Good morning, and thank you for joining us. In Q2, we delivered results ahead of our expectations and generated positive free cash flow. Importantly, with the strength we've seen in H1 of this year and our outlook for the remainder of the year, we are increasing our full year 2026 guidance for both pro forma adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow, and we are reaffirming our outlook for revenue and air distribution bookings growth. Revenue in Q2 grew 4% and normalized adjusted EBITDA grew 19% year on year to $151 million, exceeding our expectations. Air distribution bookings growth in the quarter came in ahead of our outlook, up 1% year on year. We are encouraged by the continued momentum we are seeing from our growth strategies. Since late 2025, Sabre's rate of bookings growth is outpacing the broader industry by approximately 600 basis points.

Speaker #3: Importantly, with the strength we've seen in the first half of this year, and our outlook for the remainder of the year, we are increasing our full year 2026 guidance for both pro forma adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow.

Speaker #3: And we are reaffirming our outlook for revenue and air distribution bookings growth. Revenue in Q2 grew 4% and normalized adjusted EBITDA grew 19% year on year to $151 million.

Speaker #3: Exceeding our expectations. Air distribution bookings growth in the quarter came in ahead of our outlook up 1% year on year. We are encouraged by the continued momentum we are seeing from our growth strategies.

Speaker #3: Since late 2025, Sabre's rate of bookings growth is outpacing the broader industry by approximately 600 basis points. Second quarter air distribution bookings trends were better than expected driven by a modest recovery in the month of June.

Kurt Ekert: Q2 air distribution bookings trends were better than expected, driven by a modest recovery in the month of June. The trends we saw in June have continued through July and are reflected in our full-year outlook. Consistent with what we shared during our Q1 earnings call regarding conflict-related headwinds in the month of March, air distribution bookings growth remained positive throughout Q2 in both North and South America. That strength was partially offset by continued impacts from the Middle East conflict, as well as higher fuel prices, which have driven airline fare increases. We estimate that the global impact of fuel and the Middle East conflict was three to 400 basis points in Q2 and was relatively more acute in EMEA and Asia Pacific.

Speaker #3: The trends we saw in June have continued through July, and are reflected in our full year outlook. Consistent with what we shared during our first quarter earnings call regarding conflict-related headwinds in the month of March, air distribution bookings growth remained positive throughout the second quarter, in both North and South America.

Speaker #3: That strength was partially offset by continued impacts from the Middle East conflict as well as higher fuel prices, which have driven airline fare increases.

Speaker #3: We estimate that the global impact of fuel in the Middle East conflict was 3 to 400 basis points in the second quarter and was relatively more acute in EMEA and Asia Pacific.

Speaker #3: Importantly, corporate volumes, which represent nearly half of our marketplace bookings, demonstrated continued steady performance and resilience throughout the second quarter, which offset softness in leisure demand.

Kurt Ekert: Importantly, corporate volumes, which represent nearly half of our Marketplace bookings, demonstrated continued steady performance and resilience throughout Q2, which offset softness in leisure demand. Looking ahead, the underlying assumptions for our growth outlook have not changed. We expect Q3 air distribution bookings growth of flat to low single digits. For Q4, and consistent with our prior outlook as well as recent airline commentary, we expect bookings to grow at a low to mid-single-digit rate year on year. Now turning to Slide 5. For the fourth consecutive quarter, we delivered double-digit year-on-year growth in normalized adjusted EBITDA. We believe these results and positive trends set us up well to continue to drive year-on-year top line and pro forma adjusted EBITDA growth for the remainder of the year and achieve our increased outlook.

Speaker #3: Looking ahead, the underlying assumptions for our growth outlook have not changed. We expect third quarter air distribution bookings growth a flat to low single digits.

Speaker #3: For the fourth quarter, and consistent with our prior outlook, as well as recent airline commentary, we expect bookings to grow at a low to mid single digit rate year on year.

Speaker #3: Now, turning to slide 5, for the fourth consecutive quarter, we delivered double digit year on year growth in normalized adjusted EBITDA. We believe these results and positive trends set us up well to continue to drive year on year top line and pro forma adjusted EBITDA growth for the remainder of the year and achieve our increased outlook.

Speaker #3: Our financial performance provides us with a foundation to continue investing in innovation and supporting our growth strategies. Turning to the right side of the slide, we believe Sabre is positioned to be a winner in the rapidly emerging agentic AI travel channel and we are working with partners and leaning into our leadership position by increasing the level of investment in AI initiatives.

Kurt Ekert: Our financial performance provides us with a foundation to continue investing in innovation and supporting our growth strategies. Turning to the right side of the slide, we believe Sabre is positioned to be a winner in the rapidly emerging agentic AI travel channel, and we are working with partners and leaning into our leadership position by increasing the level of investment in AI initiatives. Our Marketplace continues to deliver multi-source travel content at an incredible scale. Hotel-related revenue growth accelerated in Q2 to 11% year on year, driven by higher attach rate and continued growth in media revenue. Our hotel attach rate has improved to approximately 35%. As we continue to enhance our hotel platform, we expect to drive higher conversion. Payment suite gross spend exceeded $6 billion in Q2, up more than 30% year on year, and is now over $25 billion on an annualized basis.

Speaker #3: Our marketplace continues to deliver multi-source travel content at an incredible scale. Hotel-related revenue growth accelerated in Q2 to 11% year on year, driven by higher attach rate and continued growth in media revenue.

Speaker #3: Our hotel attach rate has improved to approximately 35%. As we continue to enhance our hotel platform, we expect to drive higher conversion. Payment suite growth spend exceeded $6 billion in the second quarter, up more than 30% year on year, and is now over $25 billion on an annualized basis.

Speaker #3: NDC also continues to grow, and we expect further acceleration during 6, our key financial and operational metrics demonstrate that we are executing well and delivering broad-based growth.

Kurt Ekert: NDC also continues to grow, we expect further acceleration during 2026. Turning to Slide six, our key financial and operational metrics demonstrate that we are executing well and delivering broad-based growth. Across our business, we continue to see positive trends, reflecting the disciplined execution of our strategy and the progress we are making against our long-term priorities. Moving to Slide 7. Our developer ecosystem continues to expand. Hundreds of developers are now working in our production environment, reinforcing Sabre's position as the critical infrastructure provider powering the next generation of travel commerce. Agentic AI is no longer just a future opportunity. It is transforming how travel is bought and serviced, Sabre is leading that evolution. Our open platform enables AI agents to shop, book, and service travel autonomously, securely, and at scale.

Speaker #3: Across our business, we continue to see positive trends. Reflecting the disciplined execution of our strategy, and the progress we are making against our long-term priorities.

Speaker #3: Moving to slide 7, our developer ecosystem continues to expand. Hundreds of developers are now working in our production environment, reinforcing Sabre's position as the critical infrastructure provider powering the next generation of travel commerce.

Speaker #3: Agentic AI is no longer just a future opportunity. It is transforming how travel is bought and serviced, and Sabre is leading that evolution. Our open platform enables AI agents to shop, book, and service travel autonomously, securely, and at scale.

Speaker #3: As the ecosystem develops, and adoption accelerates across the industry, we believe Sabre is uniquely positioned to build on our leadership position as we enter this next chapter of travel technology.

Kurt Ekert: As the ecosystem develops and adoption accelerates across the industry, we believe Sabre is uniquely positioned to build on our leadership position as we enter this next chapter of travel technology. We recently deployed our Model Context Protocol server with a global enterprise loyalty and travel service company. MCP acts as a secure, intelligent translation layer that lets AI agents handle complex servicing work on their own, ticket reissues, exchanges, and itinerary changes. Driven by strong demand for our agentic APIs and MCP server, we doubled the number of active pilot and production partners from 30 to 60 in Q2. We also partnered with VocalBridge and DeepLearning.AI, part of the broader AI Fund ecosystem, and hosted a hackathon in Silicon Valley. The response was positive and exceeded our expectations.

Speaker #3: We recently deployed our model context protocol server with a global enterprise loyalty and travel service company. MCP acts as a secure, intelligent translation layer that lets AI agents handle complex servicing work on their own.

Speaker #3: Ticket reissues, exchanges, and itinerary changes. Driven by strong demand for our agentic APIs and MCP server, we doubled the number of active pilot and production partners from 30 to 60 in the second quarter.

Speaker #3: We also partnered with VocalBridge and deep learning AI, part of the broader AI fund ecosystem, and hosted a hackathon in Silicon Valley. The response was positive and exceeded our expectations.

Speaker #3: More than 400 developers participated and submitted over 100 projects built on our agentic APIs and MCP server. The solutions they built—from voice-enabled travel assistance to agents that can seamlessly coordinate flights, hotels, rideshares, and dining, all built into a single itinerary—demonstrate the power and flexibility of our platform.

Kurt Ekert: More than 400 developers participated and submitted over 100 projects built on our agentic APIs and MCP server. The solutions they built, from voice-enabled travel assistance to agents that can seamlessly coordinate flights, hotels, rideshares, and dining built into a single itinerary, demonstrate the power and flexibility of our platform. Importantly, they serve as examples of the growing developer interest in building on Sabre's infrastructure and reinforce our foundational position in enabling the next generation of agentic AI-powered travel. We are making solid progress across our strategic priorities and believe we are well-positioned to deliver sustainable long-term growth. Across air expansion, Airline Technology, lodging expansion, and payments, we are executing our strategy, delivering meaningful value for our customers, and investing in innovation that further strengthens our competitive position.

Speaker #3: Importantly, they serve as examples of the growing, developer interest in building on Sabre's infrastructure and reinforce our foundational position in enabling the next generation of agentic AI-powered travel.

Speaker #3: We are making solid progress across our strategic priorities and believe we are well positioned to deliver sustainable, long-term growth. Across air expansion, airline technology, lodging expansion, and payments, we are executing our strategy, delivering meaningful value for our customers, and investing in innovation that further strengthens our competitive position.

Speaker #3: We are excited with the momentum in airline technology. And I'm pleased to share that a notable carrier in Africa has selected Sabre as its new technology platform provider.

Kurt Ekert: We are excited with the momentum in Airline Technology, I'm pleased to share that a notable carrier in Africa has selected Sabre as its new technology platform provider. As part of this agreement, the airline will migrate its core passenger services to the Sabre platform and adopt our Sabre Mosaic NDC IT capabilities. This transition will help modernize key areas of the airline's operations, implementation is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Our progress together with our strong H1 performance supports our updated 2026 guidance and increases our confidence in the significant opportunities ahead. With that, I'll turn the call over to Mike to walk through our Q2 financial results and our outlook in more detail.

Speaker #3: As part of this agreement, the airline will migrate its core passenger services to the Sabre platform and adopt our Sabre Mosaic NDCIT capabilities. This transition will help modernize key areas of the airline's operations and implementation is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Speaker #3: Our progress together with our strong first half performance supports our updated 2026 guidance and increases our confidence in the significant opportunities ahead. With that, I'll turn the call over to Mike, to walk through our second quarter financial results and our outlook in more detail.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Kurt, and good morning, everyone. Please turn to slide 9. Second quarter revenue gross profit normalized adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow all exceeded our expectations.

Mike Randolfi: Thanks, Kurt. Good morning, everyone. Please turn to slide nine. Q2 revenue, gross profit, normalized adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow all exceeded our expectations. As a result, based on our current outlook, which is consistent with our prior view for H2 2026, we are reaffirming our full year guidance for revenue and air distribution bookings growth and increasing our full year guidance for both pro forma adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow. Turning to the financials, total revenue was $712 million, an increase of 4% year-on-year, exceeding our expectations of flat to nominal growth. Marketplace revenue grew $31 million, an increase of 6% due to a 1.5% increase in distribution bookings and a 4% increase in average booking fee, which includes growth from our payments and media offerings. Airline Technology revenue was $135 million, broadly in line with our expectations.

Speaker #2: As a result, and based on our current outlook, which is consistent with our prior view for the second half of 2026, we are reaffirming our full-year guidance for revenue and air distribution bookings growth and increasing our full-year guidance for both pro forma adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow.

Speaker #2: Turning to the financials, total revenue was $712 million, and increase of 4% year on year exceeding our expectations of flat to nominal growth. Marketplace revenue grew 31 million, an increase of 6% due to a 1.5% increase in distribution bookings and a 4% increase in average booking fee, which includes growth from our payments and media offerings.

Speaker #2: Airline Technology revenue was $135 million, broadly in line with our expectations. Second quarter revenue reflected the timing of certain items that can create normal quarter-to-quarter variability. We continue to expect growth in passengers boarded in future quarters. As a result, we expect Airline Technology revenue of $140 million to $150 million per quarter in Q3 and Q4, and continue to expect year-on-year revenue growth in 2026.

Mike Randolfi: Q2 revenue reflected the timing of certain items that can create normal quarter-to-quarter variability. We continue to expect growth in passengers boarded in future quarters. As a result, we expect Airline Technology revenue of $140 million to $150 million per quarter in Q3 and Q4, and continue to expect year-on-year revenue growth in 2026. Gross margin of 57.1% came in at the high end of our 56% to 57% range, due primarily to favorability in our average booking fee, driven by bookings mix and revenue growth in higher margin payments and media products. Q2 normalized adjusted EBITDA was $151 million, a 19% increase year-on-year, and adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 272 basis points to 21.2%. Free cash flow was +$10 million for Q2. Importantly, our expectation for full year free cash flow has improved to approximately -$65 million from -$70 million.

Speaker #2: Gross margin of 57.1% came in at the high end of our 56 to 57% range, due primarily to favorability in our average booking fee driven by bookings mix and revenue growth in higher margin payments and media products.

Speaker #2: Second quarter normalized adjusted EBITDA was $151 million, a 19% increase year on year, and adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 272 basis points to 21.2%. Free cash flow was positive $10 million for the second quarter, importantly, our expectation for full-year free cash flow has improved to approximately negative $65 million, from negative $70 million.

Speaker #2: As a reminder, the negative free cash flow this year is driven almost entirely by approximately $60 million of restructuring offset program. Absent these restructuring costs, we would expect near break-even free cash flow.

Mike Randolfi: As a reminder, the -free cash flow this year is driven almost entirely by approximately $60 million of restructuring costs associated with our inflation offset program. Absent these restructuring costs, we would expect near breakeven free cash flow. We ended the quarter with a cash balance of $697 million. Moving to slide 10. Air distribution bookings grew 1% and exceeded expectations despite the impacts of the conflict in the Middle East and higher fuel prices on global travel demand. Revenue growth of 4% exceeded our guidance of flat to nominal. Our normalized adjusted EBITDA result of $151 million was favorable to our guide of approximately $130 million by $21 million. Approximately two-thirds of this outperformance is attributable to higher gross income, which was driven by a higher average booking fee and higher air distribution bookings.

Speaker #2: We ended the quarter with a cash balance of $697 million. Moving to slide 10, air distribution bookings grew 1% and exceeded expectations despite the impacts of the conflict in the Middle East and higher fuel prices on global travel demand.

Speaker #2: Revenue growth of 4% exceeded our guidance of flat to nominal. Our normalized adjusted EBITDA result of $151 million was favorable to our guide of approximately $130 million by $21 million.

Speaker #2: Approximately two-thirds of this outperformance is attributable to higher gross income, which was driven by a higher average booking fee and higher air distribution bookings.

Speaker #2: The remainder is driven by timing of technology investments which will now occur in the second half of the year. All in, we are pleased with this quarter's results.

Mike Randolfi: The remainder is driven by timing of technology investments, which will now occur in H2 of the year. All in, we are pleased with this quarter's results. Turning to slide 11. We have signed an agreement with our existing lenders to extend our AR securitization facility through September 2029. As a result of this agreement and our previous refinancing activities, we now have no maturities until 2029. Moving to slide 12 and our outlook for 2026. We are increasing our outlook for full year pro forma adjusted EBITDA to approximately $600 million and free cash flow to approximately -$65 million. While our forecast for full year air distribution bookings, revenue growth, gross margin, and operating expenses remain largely unchanged, we do expect to trend slightly more favorably than prior expectations on gross margin, driving the increased adjusted EBITDA guide.

Speaker #2: Turning to slide 11, we have signed an agreement with our existing lenders to extend our AR securitization facility through September 2029. As a result of this agreement and our previous refinancing activities, we now have no maturities until 2029.

Speaker #2: Moving to slide 12 and our outlook for 2026. We are increasing our outlook for full-year pro forma adjusted EBITDA to approximately $600 million and free cash flow to approximately negative $65 million. While our forecast for full-year air distribution bookings, revenue growth, gross margin, and operating expenses remain largely unchanged, we do expect to trend slightly more favorably than prior expectations on gross margin, driving the increased adjusted EBITDA guide.

Speaker #2: We are increasing our outlook for capex by $10 million looking at adjusted technology expense we continue to expect a low single-digit increase year on year.

Mike Randolfi: We are increasing our outlook for CapEx by $10 million. Looking at adjusted technology expense, we continue to expect a low single-digit increase year-on-year. Adjusted technology expense is expected to be higher in H2 as compared to H1 due to a shift in timing of investments. Taken together, our total investment in technology in H2 will be higher due to additional investment in product development, including AI, Sabre Mosaic, and Lodging. With our increased pro forma adjusted EBITDA guidance, updated CapEx outlook, and approximately $5 million of higher cash interest due to the May 2026 refinancing of our exchangeable notes, our expectation for full-year free cash flow has increased by $5 million to approximately -$65 million. On to slide 13 and our expectation for Q3 and Q4.

Speaker #2: Adjusted technology expense is expected to be higher in the second half of the year as compared to the first half of the year due to a shift in timing of investments.

Speaker #2: Taken together, our total investment in technology in the second half will be higher due to additional investment in product development, including AI, Sabre Mosaic, and lodging.

Speaker #2: With our increased pro forma adjusted EBITDA guidance, updated capex outlook, and approximately $5 million, of higher cash interest due to the May 2026 refinancing of our exchangeable notes, our expectation for full-year free cash flow has increased by $5 million to approximately negative $65 million.

Speaker #2: On the slide 13, and our expectation for the third and fourth quarters. As Kurt mentioned, the trends we saw in June continued through July.

Mike Randolfi: As Kurt mentioned, the trends we saw in June continued through July. Based on our current outlook, we anticipate Q3 air distribution bookings and revenue to grow in the flat to low single-digit range and Q4 air distribution bookings and revenue to grow at a low to mid-single-digit pace year-on-year. We expect our Q3 and Q4 gross margin to be towards the higher end of our 56% to 57% range due to the continuation of favorable trends experienced in H1. As I discussed previously, we expect adjusted technology expense to be higher in H2 as compared to H1. We expect adjusted SG&A expense to be roughly flat in H2 when compared to H1.

Speaker #2: Based on our current outlook, we anticipate third quarter air distribution bookings and revenue to grow in the flat to low single-digit range and fourth quarter air distribution bookings and revenue to grow at a low to mid single-digit pace year on year.

Speaker #2: We expect our third and fourth quarter gross margin to be towards the higher end of our 56 to 57% range due to the continuation of favorable trends experienced in the first half of the year.

Speaker #2: As I discussed previously, we expect adjusted technology expense to be higher in the second half of this year as compared to the first half of this year.

Speaker #2: We expect adjusted SG&A expense to be roughly flat in the second half of the year when compared to the first half of the year.

Speaker #2: For the third quarter, with guidance of flat to low single-digit growth in air distribution bookings, gross margin at the higher end of our range the sequential increase in adjusted technology expense and roughly flat SG&A expense sequentially we expect normalized adjusted EBITDA to be approximately $155 million.

Mike Randolfi: For Q3, with guidance of flat to low single-digit growth in air distribution bookings, gross margin at the higher end of our range, the sequential increase in adjusted technology expense and roughly flat SG&A expense sequentially, we expect normalized adjusted EBITDA to be approximately $155 million. For Q4, with guidance of low to mid-single-digit growth in air distribution bookings and similar expectations for gross margin and operating expense versus Q3, we anticipate normalized adjusted EBITDA of approximately $125 million. Touching on free cash flow, we expect similar trends in operating cash flow in Q3 as compared to Q2, excluding the impact of interest payments. As a reminder, within the website financials available on our investor relations website, we provide a quarterly interest walk. The schedule provides our expected quarterly cash interest payments.

Speaker #2: For the fourth quarter, with guidance of low to mid single-digit growth in air distribution bookings, and similar expectations for gross margin and operating expense versus the third quarter, we anticipate normalized adjusted EBITDA of approximately $125 million.

Speaker #2: Touching on free cash flow, we expect similar trends in operating cash flow in the third quarter as compared to the second quarter, excluding the impact of interest payments.

Speaker #2: As a reminder, within the website financials available on our investor relations website, we provide a quarterly interest walk. The schedule provides our expected quarterly cash interest payments.

Speaker #2: In the third quarter, we expect roughly $20 million of higher interest payments versus the second quarter. In total, for the second half of the year, we expect to generate approximately $80 million of free cash flow primarily in the fourth quarter.

Mike Randolfi: In Q3, we expect roughly $20 million of higher interest payments versus Q2. In total, for H2, we expect to generate approximately $80 million of free cash flow, primarily in Q4. We are pleased with our Q2 and H1 results. With our increased outlook for both full-year pro forma adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow, we believe we are well-positioned for sustained growth and free cash flow generation going forward. With that, operator, please open the line for questions.

Speaker #2: We are pleased with our second quarter and the first half results. With our increased outlook for both full-year pro forma adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow, we believe we are well positioned for sustained growth and free cash flow generation going forward.

Speaker #2: And with that, operator, please open the line for questions.

Speaker #3: Thank you. At this time, we will conduct a question and answer session. As a reminder to ask a question, you will need to press star 11 on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced.

Operator: Thank you. At this time, we will conduct a question and answer session. As a reminder, to ask a question, you will need to press star one one on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced. To withdraw your question, please press star one one again. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. Our first question comes from the line of Jack Halpert of Cantor Fitzgerald. Your line is now open.

Speaker #3: To withdraw your question, please press star 11 again. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. Our first question comes from the line of Jack Halpert of Kentrifford Gerald.

Speaker #3: Your line is now open.

Speaker #4: Hey, guys. Thanks for taking my questions. First one, I wanted to double-click a little bit on the airline tech being down a little year over year.

Jack Halpert: Hey, guys. Thanks for taking my questions. First one, I wanted to double-click a little bit on the Airline Technology being down a little year-over-year. I know you mentioned some quarter-over-quarter variability, sounds kind of more one-off. One, can you just kind of explain a bit more about what this is? I know last quarter, you talked a little bit about Amadeus potentially acting anti-competitively here. I was wondering if maybe that had something to do with it or what you're seeing there in terms of what they're doing. Just a second question on AI. We heard from Booking.com earlier this week that they're participating in some tests with Google on kind of potential agentic travel checkout and AI mode on search.

Speaker #4: I know you mentioned some quarter over quarter variability, sounds kind of more one-off. One, can you just kind of explain a bit more about what this is?

Speaker #4: And then I know last quarter you talked a little bit about Amadeus potentially acting anti-competitively here. I was wondering if maybe that could have something to do with it or what you're seeing there in terms of what they're doing.

Speaker #4: And then just a second question on AI, we are from Booking earlier this week that they're participating in some tests with Google on kind of potential agentic travel checkout and AI mode on search.

Speaker #4: I was curious what you're hearing from partners about the potential for leading kind of AI labs to pursue this strategy, which maybe I think back in April there was some news flow that they were stepping away and going more on commerce.

Jack Halpert: I was curious what you're hearing from partners about the potential for leading kind of AI labs to pursue this strategy, which maybe, I think back in April, there was some news flow that they were stepping away and going more on commerce, and you guys have said kind of the same thing. Just thoughts there. Thank you.

Speaker #4: I think you guys have said kind of the same thing. So just thoughts there. Thank you.

Speaker #5: Yeah. Thanks for the question, Jack. On airline technology, first, I would just highlight that the 135 million dollars for the quarter was exactly in line with our expectations.

Mike Randolfi: Yeah. Thanks for the question, Jack. On Airline Technology, first I would just highlight that $135 million for the quarter was exactly in line with our expectations. The thing to keep in mind for that line item, about half of the revenue is driven by PBS. The other half is driven by other earnings constructs, primarily things like license fees and other performance deliverables. It can fluctuate a fair bit quarter-to-quarter. It just happens that there's less of that license fee revenue, and performance deliverables that were planned and scheduled in that quarter. Our overall perspective on the business is very much the same. We expect that we'll be in the 140 to 150 range in Q3, Q4. We expect that we'll have year-over-year growth for Airline Technology overall. We are very optimistic as we move into 2027.

Speaker #5: The thing to keep in mind for that line item about half of the revenue is driven by PBs, the other half is driven by other earnings constructs, primarily things like license fees and other performance deliverables.

Speaker #5: And so it can fluctuate a fair bit quarter to quarter. And it just happens that there's less of that license fee revenue and performance deliverables that were planned and scheduled in that quarter.

Speaker #5: Our overall perspective on the business is very much the same. We expect that will be in the 140 to 150 range in Q3, Q4.

Speaker #5: We expect that we'll have year-over-year growth for airline technology overall. And we are very optimistic as we move into 2027.

Speaker #6: With respect to Amadeus's behavior in the market, the concerns that we raised previously still exist. Specifically, we believe that Amadeus is leveraging a dominant position in passenger service systems or PSS to exclude alternative providers in the separate emerging market for offer order settlement and delivery or OOSD.

Kurt Ekert: With respect to Amadeus's behavior in the market. The concerns that we raised previously still exist. Specifically, we believe that Amadeus is leveraging a dominant position in passenger service systems, or PSS, to exclude alternative providers in the separate emerging market for offer, order, settlement, and delivery, or OOSD. We have four specific concerns here that limit airline choice and also constrain information in the market for OOSD. Number one is the restriction on airlines' access to their own data. Number two is limitations on API access required for interoperability with Amadeus PSS. Number three is unfair or high integration costs. Number four is prolonged integration delays. Now, the victims in this situation are airlines and travelers. By comparison, our approach is centered on openness and modularity, where we enable airlines to modernize and evolve their retailing capabilities without being locked into a single vertically integrated stack.

Speaker #6: We have four specific concerns here that limit airline choice and also constrain information in the market for OOSD. Number one is the restriction on airlines' access to their own data.

Speaker #6: Number two is limitations on API access required for interoperability with Amadeus PSS. Number three is unfair or high integration costs. And number four is prolonged integration delays.

Speaker #6: Now, the victims in this situation are airlines and travelers. By comparison, our approach is centered on openness and modularity, where we enable airlines to modernize and evolve their retailing capabilities without being locked into a single vertically integrated stack.

Speaker #6: And to summarize this, the industry is looking for the industry to modernize for airlines to deserve equal and unequivocal access to best-in-breed modular, open AI-first cloud solutions, and Sabre's marching down this path.

Kurt Ekert: To summarize this, the industry is looking for the industry to modernize, for airlines to deserve equal and unequivocal access to best-in-breed modular, open AI-first cloud solutions, Sabre is marching down this path. The second question with respect to AI or agentic AI specifically, we've spoken previously. We believe that agentic will emerge as a distribution channel that's very material within the travel industry. What you're seeing near term is a focus by most of the large agentic platforms on enterprise, following, for example, what Anthropic or OpenAI are doing, less of a focus near term on consumer. As they pivot to consumer, the first focus, we believe, will be retail e-commerce because it's the largest transaction category, they will go to travel thereafter.

Speaker #6: Now, the second question with respect to AI or agentic AI specifically, we've spoken previously, we believe that agentic will emerge as a distribution channel that's very material within the travel industry.

Speaker #6: What you're seeing near term is a focus by most of the large agentic platforms on enterprise following for example, what Anthropic or OpenAI are doing.

Speaker #6: Less of a focus near term on consumer, as they pivot to consumer, the first focus we believe will be retail e-commerce because it's the largest transaction category but then they will go to travel thereafter.

Speaker #6: When you look at travel specifically, what we've heard from the large agentic players is that they're seeking a solution that is basically an end-to-end experience for the consumer where they stay captive to that platform for the entire experience.

Kurt Ekert: When you look at travel specifically, what we've heard from the large agentic players is that they're seeking a solution that is basically an end-to-end experience for the consumer, where they stay captive to that platform for the entire experience. With Sabre specifically, as we think about AI, we're investing aggressively to unlock what we believe will both be efficiency and revenue growth opportunities for the company. We believe we're going to win for the following reasons. We have a multi-source platform, we have recent agentic AI investments where we're uniquely positioned to serve as the critical infrastructure layer for AI agents powering the next generation of travel commerce. We were the first to market, we've had significant engagement with developers with now over 60 active pilot and production partners utilizing our agentic APIs and our MCP server. We're really excited for the future of agentic AI.

Speaker #6: With Sabre specifically, as we think about AI, we're investing aggressively to unlock what we believe will both be efficiency and revenue growth opportunities for the company.

Speaker #6: We believe we're going to win for the following reasons. We have a multi-source platform and we have recent agentic AI investments, where we're uniquely positioned to serve as the critical infrastructure layer for AI agents powering the next generation of travel commerce.

Speaker #6: We were the first to market and we've had significant engagement with developers with now over 60 active pilot and production partners utilizing our agentic APIs and our MCP server.

Speaker #6: So we're really excited for the future of agentic AI, the timing on this because of the behavior of the large agentic players is uncertain, but the opportunity is large.

Kurt Ekert: The timing on this, because of the behavior of the large agentic players, is uncertain, the opportunity is large.

Speaker #4: Thank you, guys.

Jack Halpert: Thank you.

Operator: As a reminder, to ask a question, please press star one one on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced. One moment for our next question. My next question comes on the line of Victor Cheng of Bank of America. Your line is now open.

Speaker #3: As a reminder to ask a question, please press start 11 on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced. One moment for our next question.

Speaker #3: Our next question comes in the line of Victor Cheng of Bank of America. Your line is now open.

Speaker #7: Hi. Morning. Thanks for taking my questions. Maybe two from my side. Can you elaborate a bit more, give us a bit more color on the outperformance in Q2 bookings versus maybe some of your peers?

Victor Cheng: Hi. Morning. Thanks for taking my questions. Maybe two from my side. Can you elaborate a bit more, give us a bit more color on the outperformance in Q2 bookings versus maybe some of your peers? How much of it is leisure versus corporate mix? When you look at your Q3, Q4 guide, what assumptions are you making for both segments? Secondly, I think Amadeus talked about a $40 million PP Air IT win that they expect to be coming in 2027. Can you comment a bit about that, whether that's an existing SabreSonic customer, please?

Speaker #7: How much of it is leisure versus corporate mix? And kind of when you look at your Q3, Q4 guide, where what assumptions are you making for both segments?

Speaker #7: And then secondly, I think your Amadeus talked about a 40 million PB Air IT win, that they expect to be coming in 2027. Can you come in a bit about that, whether that's an existing Sabre Sonic customer, please?

Speaker #6: Yeah. So let me take them in reverse, Victor. Thank you. First of all, with respect to our airline technology business, this is, has emerged now as a growth business for Sabre.

Kurt Ekert: Yeah. Let me take them in reverse, Victor. Thank you. First of all, with respect to our Airline Technology business, this has emerged now as a growth business for Sabre. As you heard, we reiterated our full-year revenue growth outlook today. We expect that momentum for the overall business as well as for Airline Technology to extend into 2027. We're seeing very strong interest in the Sabre Mosaic offer and order platform, specifically for the offer management capabilities that we've brought to market. As you know, we've recently won Hawaiian and Lao Airlines, as we announced on the prepared remarks today, we have another undisclosed exciting win. We also expect to announce another significant win in the coming months. Otherwise, we don't comment on the details of individual customer agreements.

Speaker #6: As you heard, we reiterated our full-year revenue growth outlook today. We expect that momentum for the overall business, as well as for airline technology, will extend into 2027.

Speaker #6: We're seeing very strong interest in the Sabre Mosaic offer and order platform, specifically for the offer management capabilities that we've brought to market. As you know, we've recently won Hawaiian and Laos Airlines.

Speaker #6: And as we announced on the prepared remarks today, we have another undisclosed exciting win. We also expect to announce another significant win in the coming months.

Speaker #6: Otherwise, we don't comment on the details of individual customer agreements. With respect to the outperformance versus the peers, as we indicated, starting in the fourth quarter of last year, up through today, we're outperforming our competitive peers by about 600 basis points or 6% on average.

Kurt Ekert: With respect to the outperformance versus the peers, as we indicated, starting in Q4 of last year up through today, we're outperforming our competitive peers by about 600 basis points or 6% on average. That existed before the conflict in the Middle East. That's prevailed since then as well. Why is that happening? One is share takeaways, which continue. Two is growth with our low-cost carrier platform. Three is growth in NDC. It's a matter of competing well with our existing Marketplace and also growing the TAM for that travel. The resilience and the strength in the corporate Marketplace has certainly buoyed our performance because we have about 45% of our distribution volumes come from corporate or TMC, versus for the industry, about 25% to 30%. As we see, corporate is relatively outperforming leisure, which is a nice reversal on what we experienced last year.

Speaker #6: That existed before the conflict in the Middle East, and that has prevailed since then as well. Why is that happening? One is shared takeaways, which continue.

Speaker #6: Two is growth with our low-cost carrier platform. And three is growth in NDC. So it's a matter of competing well with our existing marketplace and also growing the TAM for that travel.

Speaker #6: The resilience and the strength in the corporate marketplace is certainly buoyed our performance. Because we have about 45% of our distribution volumes come from corporate or TMC.

Speaker #6: Versus for the industry, about 25 to 30%. And as we see, corporate is relatively outperforming leisure, which is a nice reversal on what we experienced last year.

Speaker #6: When you look at the forward guide, what we have assumed is that the again, we saw about a 400 basis point impact from the conflict in the Middle East coupled with fuel.

Kurt Ekert: When you look at the forward guide, what we have assumed is that again, we still have a 400 basis point impact from the conflict in the Middle East coupled with fuel being the much bigger portion of the impact. We assume that that impact will persist but dissipate through the balance of this calendar year. It's clear that the yield increases by airlines are there to stay for some period of time. We're not certain how long, but we're assuming a modest improvement in the macro environment around us going forward.

Speaker #6: Fuel being the much bigger portion of the impact. We assume that that impact will persist but dissipate through the balance of this calendar year.

Speaker #6: It's clear that the yield increases by airlines are there to stay for some period of time. We're not certain how long. But we're assuming a modest improvement in the macro environment around us going forward.

Speaker #7: Thank you. And if I can have a follow-up on the NDC that you touched upon, where are you with NDC volumes right now and kind of it seems like a revenue per booking continues to grow very strong.

Victor Cheng: Thank you. If I can have a follow-up on the NDC that you touch upon, where are you with NDC volumes right now? It seems like the revenue per booking continues to grow very strong. I guess NDC is not having too much of an impact on that unit economics.

Speaker #7: I guess NDC is not having too much of an impact on that. You know, economics?

Speaker #6: Thanks, Victor. With respect to NDC, NDC now represents about 5% of our distribution volumes. It's growing very steadily year on year. We see one that's a combination of adoption of NDC by existing clientele, two there's a degree of NDC reintermediation.

Kurt Ekert: Thanks, Victor. With respect to NDC now represents about 5% of our distribution volumes. It's growing very steadily year on year. We see, one, that's a combination of adoption of NDC by existing clientele. Two, there's a degree of NDC re-intermediation, or to say differently, NDC volumes that previously were direct connected that are now coming through our channel. With respect to unit economics, we've long talked about the fact that outside of Europe, the impact of NDC on a revenue basis is slightly dilutive, on a margin basis is also slightly dilutive. Within Europe, where prevailing EDIFACT booking fees are nearly double what they are in the balance of the world, there's a more material degradation of both revenue and unit margin. I remind you that that represents Europe, only about 16% of our point of sale bookings globally.

Speaker #6: Or to say it differently, NDC volumes that previously were direct connected that are now coming through our channel. With respect to unit economics, we've long talked about the fact that outside of Europe, the impact of NDC on a revenue basis is slightly dilutive on a margin basis is also slightly dilutive.

Speaker #6: Within Europe, where prevailing ed effect booking fees are nearly double what they are in the balance of the world, there's a more material degradation of both revenue and unit margin.

Speaker #6: I remind you that that represents Europe only about 16% of our point of sale bookings globally. So we have relatively less exposure to that impact than our competitive set.

Kurt Ekert: We have relatively less exposure to that impact than our competitive set. Overall, what you see is that impact measured against our mixed performance, as well as the strong growth with hotel and with other non-transaction-based revenue, for example, media and payments. We're very comfortable with the per unit revenue performance that we're seeing.

Speaker #6: But overall, what you see is that impact measured against our mixed performance as well as the strong growth with hotel, and with other non-transaction-based revenue, for example, media and payments.

Speaker #6: So we're very comfortable with the per unit revenue performance that we're seeing.

Speaker #7: Very clear. Thank you.

Victor Cheng: Very clear. Thank you.

Speaker #3: I'm showing no further questions at this time. I would now like to turn it back to Kurt Ekert for closing remarks.

Operator: I am showing no further questions at this time. I would now like to turn it back to Kurt Ekert for closing remarks.

Speaker #6: Thanks, everybody. For the interest and the support, we look forward to performing. And to speaking to you in forward quarters. Thank you.

Kurt Ekert: Thanks everybody for the interest and the support. We look forward to performing and to speaking to you in forward quarters. Thank you.

Operator: Thank you for your participation in today's conference. This does conclude the program. You may now disconnect.

Q2 2026 Sabre Corp Earnings Call

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