Kayak launches an “AI Mode” for travel questions, searches, and bookings

Travel search engine Kayak will now allow users to search for flights before booking using artificial intelligence. This week, the company launched an “AI Mode” feature that allows users to ask travel-related questions, as well as compare and book flights, hotels and cars, through a chatbot integrated on the company’s website.

The feature is currently available across both desktop web and mobile, and takes advantage of Kayak’s integration with ChatGPT to deliver contextual results.

The rollout comes on the heels of the company’s launch of Kayak.ai in April, which was designed to serve as a testing ground for working with artificial intelligence technology. This site also integrated Kayak’s data and tools with OpenAI technology, allowing its technical team to experiment with AI features before introducing them to Kayak.com.

Essentially, AI Mode provides the same functionality as Kayak.ai, but now built directly into Kayak. The company suggests that users can ask the chatbot for travel ideas, such as locations to travel to under a certain price point, the best deals to a preferred destination, compare hotel amenities, find nonstop flights, car rental options, and more.

In addition, users can ask the AI ​​more open-ended questions, such as “I want to celebrate New Year’s – where should I go?” For recommendations without specific destinations in mind. Or they can find out the best time to travel somewhere, based on ticket prices. (Kayak has shared other AI ideas on its own blog.)

This feature can be useful in helping consumers in the early stages of travel planning, when they are just exploring ideas. However, it remains to be seen whether AI users easily convert into paying customers using these methods.

AI Mode is initially available in English in the US, but will expand to other countries and languages ​​later in the month. The company also plans to roll out the feature on more platforms and add support for voice requests “soon.”

Travel is an area being explored by AI service providers and travel companies alike, as booking online can be a frustrating and boring experience for consumers as it is today. To test consumer demand for AI solutions, OpenAI recently announced deals with travel companies such as Expedia and Booking.com. (The latter is also owned by Kayak’s parent company, Booking Holdings). As a result, these services can now run as applications within ChatGPT.

In comparison, Kayak’s decision to run an AI-powered chatbot on its own site could provide the company with more direct access to consumer insights about the use of AI.