Kayak launches an ‘AI Mode’ for travel questions, search, and bookings

Travel search engine Kayak allows users to research trips before booking using AI. The company this week launched an “AI Mode” feature that allows users to ask travel-related questions and compare and book flights, hotels and cars, via an AI chatbot integrated into the company’s website.

The feature is currently available on both desktop and mobile web and uses Kayak’s integration with ChatGPT to deliver contextual results.

The rollout follows the company’s launch in April Kayak.ai, built as a testing ground for working with AI technology. That site also combined Kayak’s data and tools with OpenAI’s technology, allowing the engineering team to try out AI features before bringing them to Kayak.com.

Essentially, the AI ​​Mode feature provides the same functionality as the Kayak.ai website, but is now built directly into the Kayak website. The company suggests users can ask the chatbot for travel ideas, such as locations they can fly to for less than a certain price point, the best deals for a preferred destination, comparing hotel amenities, finding nonstop flights and rental car options, and more.

Additionally, users can ask the AI ​​more open-ended questions, such as “I want to party on NYE – where should I go?” to get recommendations without having specific destinations in mind. Or they could learn when the best time to fly somewhere is, based on ticket prices. (Kayak has shared other AI prompt ideas on his own blog.)

The feature can be useful to help consumers in the early stages of trip planning, when they are just exploring ideas. However, it remains to be seen whether AI users can easily become paying customers using these methods.

AI Mode will initially be available in English in the United States, but will expand to other countries and languages ​​later this month. The company also plans to roll out the feature to more platforms soon and add support for voice-based requests.

Travel is an area being explored by AI providers and travel companies alike, as online booking in its current form can be a frustrating and annoying experience for consumers. To test consumer demand for AI solutions, OpenAI recently announced deals with travel companies like Expedia and Booking.com (the latter is also owned by Kayak’s parent company, Bookings of holding companies). As a result, these services can now function as apps within ChatGPT.

In comparison, Kayak’s decision to use the AI ​​chatbot on its own site could give the company more direct access to consumer insights about the use of the AI.