KAYAK

KAYAK

Travel search engine for flights and hotels

About KAYAK

Simplify's Rating
Why KAYAK is rated
C+
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated C on Growth Potential
Rated C on Rating Differentiation

Industries

Consumer Software

Consumer Goods

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Acquired

Total Funding

$237.3M

Headquarters

Stamford, Connecticut

Founded

2004

Overview

KAYAK is a travel search engine that assists users in planning and managing their travel experiences. It provides a platform for searching flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages, catering to individual travelers, families, and business professionals. KAYAK aggregates information from numerous travel sites, allowing users to compare prices and options in one place, making it easier to find the best deals. The company earns revenue through advertising and referral fees when users book services through its platform. KAYAK also offers premium features like fare alerts and price forecasts to enhance user experience. With a user-friendly design and flexible travel options, KAYAK aims to simplify the travel planning process for a global audience.

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • AI integration could enhance user experience and streamline booking processes.
  • 'Sleepcations' trend offers new marketing opportunities for rest-focused travel.
  • Solo travel rise allows KAYAK to tailor offerings for personalized experiences.

What critics are saying

  • AI-driven booking tools may challenge KAYAK's metasearch model.
  • Potential TikTok ban could impact KAYAK's marketing strategies.
  • Southwest Airlines integration may face challenges with fare policy changes.

What makes KAYAK unique

  • KAYAK aggregates data from hundreds of travel sites for comprehensive price comparisons.
  • KAYAK's Explore feature helps travelers find affordable destinations for specific travel needs.
  • KAYAK manages multiple metasearch brands, processing 6 billion queries annually.

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Funding

Total Funding

$237.3M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

6 Rounds

Notable Investors:
Acquisition funding comparison data is currently unavailable. We're working to provide this information soon!
Acquisition Funding Comparison
Coming Soon

Benefits

Wellness

Social Life

Education

Flexible Hours and Happier Days

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

1%

2 year growth

2%
PR Newswire
Mar 11th, 2025
In Search Of Sleep: Kayak Launches Guide To The Most Restful Destinations Around The World

Over half of Americans are seeking a 'Sleepcation' in 2025, according to recent studySplit, Croatia, Canmore, Canada, Andorra la Vella, Andorra are top spots for a 'Sleepcation'KAYAK adds Explore Feature to Help Travelers Find Cheapest Destinations For Catching Z'sSTAMFORD, Conn., March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Forget counting sheep - 'Sleepcations' are the growing trend for travelers seeking quality rest and relaxation during a trip. According to a recent study by KAYAK, the world's leading travel search engine, 85% of Americans have felt sleep-deprived in the past year and 55% are considering booking a 2025 "sleepcation," or vacations that prioritize quality sleep and relaxation.Ahead of World Sleep Day, KAYAK is launching a guide to the world's best sleepcation destinations , based on factors such as air quality, noise pollution, proximity to nature, safety and spa availability. With nearly 3 out of 4 of Americans saying they need a vacation this year more than ever, here are the top spots in the world to catch some Z's:Split, Croatia (think pristine coastlines so beautiful you may think you're already dreaming) Canmore, Canada (think fresh mountain air that will lull you to sleep after a day of hiking in nearby Banff National Park ) Andorra la Vella, Andorra (think valley views with literal sheep you can count on your way to a deep sleep)Looking stateside, here are the top U.S. destinations that fit the bill for a quality snooze:Leavenworth, Washington (this quaint Bavarian mountain town, like that of a far-off land, is what dreams are made of) Mammoth Lakes, California (with geothermal features and natural beauty, the sandman will see you now) Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (whether enjoying the Great Smokey Mountains or Dollywood, you'll be singing 'Light of a Clear Blue Morning' after a great night's sleep)"KAYAK's study highlights a growing shift in the way we think about travel. Rest and relaxation are no longer afterthoughts but are becoming the main event," said Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, sleep specialist, coach and speaker

PhocusWire
Mar 6th, 2025
Will Metasearch Remain Relevant With Agentic Ai'S Rise?

The question of how artificial intelligence will impact the travel industry isn’t new. But OpenAI's launch of its Operator autonomous agent in January, a tool that can search for and book travel, has prompted fresh questions on what changes will come and what industry sectors will be most affected.For now the agent tool is only available to OpenAI Pro subscribers, but as OpenAI has done with its other updates, it's likely just a matter of time before it makes Operator more widely available. When and if that happens, it could add fuel to the debate of whether travel metasearch has a future. Get a dose of digital travel in your inbox each day

PYMNTS
Feb 27th, 2025
Seamless Journeys: Ai’S Rising Role In Coordinating Consumer Travel

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making inroads into the travel industry as most consumers now expect seamless travel experiences, and the industry is taking notice. Kayak CEO Steve Hafner told PYMNTS that the company plans to launch AI agents this year to help travelers with everything from trip searching to checkout. “One thing Kayak hasn’t done as well as search is booking,” Hafner said. “We’ve had to hand people off to airline or hotel websites or online travel agencies to complete the booking

PhocusWire
Jan 16th, 2025
With U.S. Tiktok Ban Looming, How Could Travel Brands Be Impacted?

TikTok may go dark on Sunday in the United States if a long-discussed federal ban goes into effect and, as is rumored, the company then chooses to disable the app for users in the U.S.There has been plenty of discourse in mainstream media about what a ban would mean for users and also for companies that use the platform as part of their marketing strategies. Expedia has 1.7 million followers on the app and Booking.com has 1.4 million, and there's been growing activity in recent years from travel companies using TikTok to drive brand recognition through short-form videos, with some evening hiring TikTok-focused content creators. But as the ban looms, travel companies PhocusWire contacted are not expressing much concern. Konrad Waliszewski, co-founder and CEO of @Hotel, a travel booking platform that operates through dozens of social media accounts, said the impact to the industry overall will be minimal.“Travel is a higher-consideration purchase, and TikTok just didn't drive the same travel commerce as Instagram - yet,” he said

PhocusWire
Dec 19th, 2024
Kayak'S Steve Hafner On Strategies For Weighing Opportunity And Risk

How do you handle diving into opportunities when you have a company to protect?Well, you might be a little more risk averse with a company on your hands than you might be in general, according to Kayak co-founder and CEO Steve Hafner, who has stayed with the company since co-founding it two decades ago. “I gamble [in] my personal life, but I don't do that [in] my professional life,” Hafner said during a Center Stage session at The Phocuswright Conference last month.While he wouldn’t get into the biggest gamble he’s taken in his personal life, he did touch on what lost business opportunities have haunted him, such as Google’s purchase of ITA flight software.Years ago, the search giant outbid Kayak for the technology.“I don't know if anyone remembers ITA software, but it's basically the tech engine that powers Google Flights results. And, you know, we came very close to buying. And if we had, as I said, pulled that caper off … perhaps Google would be writing us checks, not us writing them checks, right? So we'd be able to power them,” Hafner said. “It was a big miss.”

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