Airbnb targets first half of 2027 for AI travel agent

Chesky told analysts that travel planning differs from routine tasks such as booking a restaurant or scheduling an appointment. He cited research showing that 80% of travelers enjoy spending time researching trips, and said people want to browse photos, compare homes and make choices with their travel companions.

Airbnb says its agent will assemble a personalized interface in response to what a guest is looking for. It will draw on hundreds of travel-focused components, including maps, photos, comparisons, calendars and itineraries, and combine them in real time. Chesky described the approach as “a little bit like generative UI,” with the interface tailored to each user’s needs.

The company said its nearly 20 years of experience connecting hosts and guests will inform the tool. Beyond helping with travel planning and bookings, the agent is intended to support guests with reservation changes, payment problems, refunds, rebooking and 24-hour safety support. Airbnb expects it could eventually cover services and experiences as well as homes and hotels.

The launch timing is more specific than Airbnb’s earlier indication that the agent would arrive sometime in the next year. The announcement came with third-quarter results: revenue rose 19% to $4.87 billion, exceeding Wall Street estimates. Airbnb also raised its 2026 revenue growth forecast to the high teens from the mid-teens. Chesky called the quarter the company’s fastest revenue growth in more than three years.