AI in Travel

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the dominant topic of the future in travel, and we’re keeping a close eye on it at Skift.

Breakthrough generative AI technology was released publicly by OpenAI last November, and a number of big-name travel companies have already responded. Expedia, Kayak, and more — including multiple startups — have started releasing experimental technologies that could lead to transformations in the way users discover, plan, and book travel.

Skift’s own Ask Skift AI deep search tool gives readers extensive insight into the business of travel by training artificial intelligence on the complete archives of Skift, Skift Research, Airline Weekly, Skift Meetings, Daily Lodging Report, and Skift Live events.

Airlines

Enhancing Customer Service With the Best of AI and Human Empathy

Delivering seamless digital interactions across every touchpoint is more critical than ever in today’s travel landscape, especially during major travel disruptions. Using AI tools behind the scenes can help travel brands enhance — not replace — human talent and personal empathy.

Teleperformance + Skift | 4 months ago

Airbnb-Backed Tiqets Talks AI, Profits, and Scaling Travel Experiences

Tiqets CEO Laurens Leurink says sales of travel experiences are booming. Gen Z and Millennials want cultural engagement, not checklist sightseeing. So with some help from AI, Tiqets has recently quadrupled its sales without adding staff.

Jesse Chase-Lubitz | 4 months ago

Airlines

Flyr Just Raised $295 Million: CEO Alex Mans Tells Us What’s Next

Flyr CEO Alex Mans isn't afraid to call out the old guard as he harnesses AI to shake-up the antiquated world of airline technology.

Gordon Smith | 4 months ago

Travel Technology

Oneworld Builds AI Flight Booking Tool with Google and Former IBM Exec

Carrie Tharp, vice president of strategic industries for Google Cloud, said in April to expect a lot more AI projects in travel. Here's another.

Justin Dawes | 4 months ago

Podcasts

Fake Travel Reviews, Southwest Threat and Answering for AI

Today's podcast looks at how AI may yet transform the travel industry, the FTC's crackdown on fake reviews, and Elliott Investment's proposed changing to the Southwest board.

Rashaad Jorden | 4 months ago

Travel Technology

Booking.com, Amex GBT, Airbnb, Tripadvisor: What Travel Execs Are Saying About AI

Big travel companies have the resources to plan major tech overhauls to integrate AI, but it's taking longer than some had expected.

Justin Dawes | 4 months ago

Sidharth Malhotra aligns with the modern traveller who is redefining India

Hotels

Hilton Partners with Bollywood Actor Sidharth Malhotra – India Report

Indian celebrities enjoy a significant following in the country and can influence the decisions of their fans. Hilton's partnership with Sidharth Malhotra comes months after it collaborated with actor Deepika Padukone.

Bulbul Dhawan | 4 months ago

Startups

Travel Startups Raised $240 Million This Week

One startup fundraise this week — the largest yet this year — also outdid the top two deals in 2023 by GetYourGuide and Klook.

Justin Dawes | 4 months ago

Airlines

We Ask Five Airline CEOs What They Really Think About AI

Airlines comes in all shapes and sizes, and so do the real world applications for artificial intelligence. We sat down with five aviation leaders to find out how they think the new technology will impact their business.

Gordon Smith | 4 months ago

Travel Technology

Flyr Raises $295 Million, Largest Travel Tech Deal This Year

Flyr is using the funding to support growth and scale the company, which saw recurring revenue growth of 290% over the last 12 months.

Justin Dawes | 5 months ago