
From the intricate algorithms of airline revenue management to the rigorous demands of endurance sports, Burak Ozdaryal thrives on challenge. Currently an Executive Scientist at Sabre Corporation, Burak’s career is defined by a pursuit of knowledge and a passion for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in Revenue Management.
His journey began unconventionally. Though initially aspiring to an academic career in Türkiye, a series of fortuitous events led him to the R&D department of United Airlines in 1999, just two months after the rollout of the Orion RM system. This experience ignited his curiosity and propelled him into the complex world of airline revenue optimization. “I had to learn a lot on the job – not just the airline lingo, but also what the application was supposed to do, how it was supposed to function, and how it was supposed to tackle the problem, or even what the problem was,” Burak recalls.
Over his 25-year tenure at United, Burak expanded his expertise beyond RM, taking on responsibilities in network planning and profitability analysis, demand forecasting, loyalty and marketing. During the initial years following United-Continental merger, he moved to Marketing to initiate analytical practices in ancillary pricing and customer engagement optimization. However, his passion for RM remained central. His research and presentations at industry forums caught the attention of United’s future RM executives, leading him to spearhead the development of United’s next-generation Revenue Management System, Gemini, along with new Revenue Integrity, Fare Management and Pricing systems as well.
Transitioning to Sabre Corporation, Burak gained a broader perspective on the airline industry. “At the airline, everyone’s goal was the profitability of that specific carrier, with individuals super-specializing on subject matters,” he observes. “Whereas the vendor must work collaboratively with airline’s subject matter experts to maximize their revenues through the vendor’s tool while also ensuring the sustainability of the vendor’s own business.”
Burak’s fascination with RM stems from its inherent complexity and the challenge of modeling human behavior. “There is no exact formula for how humans behave, and the better we model those behaviors, the better we can leverage them in our decision-making processes,” he explains. He views RM as the perfect intersection of economic uncertainty and mathematical rigor and is proud of the scientific advancements that have improved revenue performance across the industry. He also highlights the crucial role of RM in making air travel more accessible, emphasizing that dynamic pricing enables airlines to offer fares that cater to a wider range of budgets.
For aspiring RM professionals, Burak stresses the importance of patience and continuous learning. “RM isn’t an exact science,” he advises. “Patience leads to experience, which eventually gives you a feeling for things. Then, you can validate that gut feeling with new theories you develop.” He advocates for active engagement with experts through conferences and presentations, emphasizing the value of diverse perspectives in driving innovation.
Burak’s dedication to pushing boundaries extends beyond his professional life. An avid endurance athlete, he participates in ultra-marathons and Ironman Triathlons, embracing challenges that demand mental and physical fortitude. “I enjoy challenging myself, whether it’s in my career, outdoors, or at home. I don’t shy away from difficult tasks – in fact, I draw energy from them. It’s very fulfilling, and it also gives me plenty of time to think about things.” This same drive for continuous improvement translates to his approach to revenue management, where he continually seeks innovative solutions to complex challenges.
To connect with Burak and learn more about his work, visit his LinkedIn profile here.