Online Travel News

A dream deferred no longer -- maybe. Kayak can almost taste the public markets now, but as its IPO roadshow kicks into gear, this is not yet a done deal.

The new Metro apps try a friendlier approach to user interface than Windows is usually known for. Its travel features -- built on the back of Frommers.com content -- packages web content as if it were an inspirational app.

Bing has reorganized its search results pages to incorporate the social element, but it really has a long way to go before the service evolves into something really useful for travelers.

Expect Kayak to increase its leave of absence from the classic metasearch approach and to expand into new travel verticals with its Kayak booking path. Others, including Room 77, already are following Kayak's lead.

Start your engines. Kayak is beginning its road show in a bid to raise more than $100 million in an IPO. The company will face tough questions about Google's acquisition of ITA Software and whether it can paint a big enough growth story to satisfy would-be investors.

Travelers need to see the total price of a hotel room instantly, but online travel agencies and comparison-shopping engines have bowed to competitive pressures.

CasaHop might be called social tech rather than social travel because it is a heavy tech play in the home-exchange arena.

Tight economic times are fertile ground for discounters, whether it's Priceline, Hotwire or airtickets.gr, which is partnering with Expedia for dynamic packages.

Orbitz is beginning to skew hotel displays according to the computing or mobile device you use. Get a grip on those iPads, this is only the mere beginning of an online travel agency personalization push.

Give Gogo credit. The WiFi provider has to get working on its international expansion and can't wait for its IPO try to be sorted out. That may be the reason behind a $135 million debt-financing agreement.