Travel platform Skyscanner has introduced ‘Explore with AI’ and ‘Road Trip Planner’, two new beta AI tools to help customers plan their next trip. The aim is to provide travellers with an intuitive and personalised experience.
AI is everywhere and the travel industry is no exception. AI tools are getting more and more popular when it comes to trip planning, with many travellers asking ChatGPT for personalised holiday recommendations.
Travel platform Skyscanner is now jumping on that trend and has launched two new beta AI tools, available in English-speaking markets.
“For more than 20 years, innovation has been at the heart of Skyscanner’s mission to be the world’s leading travel ally. At a time when travellers are navigating an increasingly complex travel landscape, we’re focused on building tools that help them plan and book with confidence. We’re experimenting with how AI can make every stage of the journey simpler and more intuitive, from discovering new destinations to road trip planning”, said Bryan Batista, CEO of Skyscanner.
The first tool, named ‘Explore with AI’, allows travellers to search for personalised flight and destination recommendations through natural language prompts. The tool can provide all kinds of information, including price insights, weather, and travel tips.
For example, users can ask the tool to “help me find cheap flights to Japan in December,” then receive personalised recommendations based on their preferences. Travellers can also compare destination data side-by-side with a visual display, alongside AI-generated insights such as “September is typically 24% cheaper than December” and “Best of both: beaches and family trips.” During the first tests, Skyscanner noted a strong engagement, with a 60% click-through to flight options among those using ‘Explore with AI’.
The second AI tool, ‘Road Trip Planner’, concentrates specifically on putting together tailored itineraries. Travellers can provide the root with trip preferences, such as cultural or relaxing activities, and AI will then map out a road trip with personalised stops, while also recommending car hire options.
“We’re also continuing to test and evolve how we present flight information, including live flight tracking and trialling mapping price insights. By combining our deep travel expertise with the latest technology, our goal is to support travellers in making confident decisions and creating trips that are right for them, transforming travel planning into a seamless part of the adventure,” added Bryan Batista.
Moreover, Skyscanner updated some of its preexisting features. For example, DROPS – which scans airfares to flag price drops of over 20% over the previous week – now shows more frequent flight price reductions. According to the company, travellers would expect up to 822% more offers than before, making it easier than ever for customers to plan their next destination while paying attention to their budget.
Furthermore, the Flight Tracker tool provides travellers with real-time updates on gates, terminals, and baggage information, while Stays was extended to include five million (up from 3.5 million) accommodation options, ranging from budget stays to luxurious hotels.
