Airbnb is implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in travel search and accommodation comparison. The company is adding a feature that allows users to reference travel records from friends and is expanding services beyond lodging, including food delivery, laundry, and baby equipment rentals.
On October 1, Airbnb announced these updates as part of its 'Fall 2026 Update.'
The update includes a new feature for sharing travel information among users. By connecting with family, friends, or past travel companions through the app, users can view places they have visited or plan to visit on a map. They can also check accommodations, experiences, and reviews that the connected users have booked, save them to a wishlist, or send messages through the app.
Users can set their sharing preferences. They can choose what information to share for each trip, hide or delete specific trips, and block connected users. By selecting a region on the map, users can also access information about the area's atmosphere, activities, restaurants, and transportation options.
The travel search function utilizing AI will also be enhanced. The new search bar allows users to search for accommodations, experiences, and services using everyday conversational language or voice commands. An 'AI filter' will automatically find necessary conditions based on search terms. For example, entering 'baby' will suggest related conditions such as cribs, playgrounds, and children's books or toys. This feature will be rolled out starting in the United States.
Search results will display summaries of accommodation descriptions generated by AI. Users can compare multiple saved accommodations on one screen and view key features organized by AI. AI-based customer support will expand to over 50 languages, with plans to add voice support for phone consultations in the future.
Airbnb will also increase services available after booking. In some European cities, users will be able to order food from local restaurants for delivery to their accommodations, and the grocery delivery service previously available in the U.S. will expand to Europe. In select U.S. cities, laundry pickup and delivery services will be offered.
Starting in November, users in over 60 U.S. cities will be able to rent baby cribs, strollers, high chairs, and toys, which will be delivered to their accommodations. In the French Alps, ski and snowboard equipment rentals will be added, while boat rental services will be introduced in southern Florida.
AI will also be applied to management features for hosts. A calendar and 3D floor plans will be introduced to manage rates, availability, and refund policies for multiple listings simultaneously, along with a feature that adjusts accommodation prices based on supply and demand. An AI summary of host performance and influencing factors will also be added.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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