- Expedia Group acquired AI-native trip planner Layla in July 2026
- Financial terms undisclosed; Layla had raised approximately €5 million before acquisition
- Layla’s conversational AI helps travellers create personalised itineraries
- Deal combines Layla’s planning tools with Expedia’s global supply network
- Acquisition reflects market trend of larger platforms absorbing AI travel startups
Expedia Group has acquired Layla, an AI-native trip planning and booking platform, accelerating the company’s AI strategy . Founded in 2023 by Saad Saeed and Sardar Bali, Layla uses conversational AI to help travellers research destinations and build complete personalised itineraries covering flights, accommodation, dining, activities and transit . The financial terms of the transaction were not publicly disclosed; prior to the acquisition, Layla had raised approximately €5 million from investors including First Minute Capital and M13 .
The deal combines Layla’s front-end conversational planning tools with Expedia Group’s extensive supply network, booking infrastructure, and first-party traveller data . Layla will continue operating and its team will work alongside Expedia Group’s core consumer brands, which include Expedia.com, Hotels.com and Vrbo . Expedia Group’s Chief Product Officer, Shilpa Ranganathan, stated that the acquisition aligns with the company’s vision for the future of travel, where AI makes personalised and complete experiences possible in new ways .
According to insights from The Paypers, the acquisition signals ongoing market consolidation, where larger platforms absorb AI startups rather than building these niche conversational tools entirely in-house . The transaction builds on Expedia Group’s broader AI approach, which includes embedding AI functionality across its existing consumer-facing brands, working with third-party AI platforms, and developing new AI-native products . For Layla, joining Expedia Group provides access to a larger booking marketplace, traveller base and supply relationships than the standalone platform previously had .
Shilpa Ranganathan shared: “Layla has built an exceptional AI-powered travel planning experience that aligns perfectly with our vision for the future of travel.”
Saad Saeed shared: “Joining Expedia Group gives us the scale, supply, and resources to bring that vision to millions more travellers around the world.”
