Expedia Adds Perplexity's Comet Browser to Travel Planning Arsenal

Expedia Group has partnered with Perplexity to promote the launch of Comet, a web browser featuring an AI assistant designed to simplify travel planning.

As an incentive, Expedia is offering travelers who download Comet an upgrade to Silver status in its OneKey loyalty program. This marks the first time Expedia has extended its loyalty benefits to a partner platform.

Comet integrates a conversational AI assistant directly into the browser, allowing users to compare destinations, hotels, and flights, create personalized itineraries, and complete bookings.

The travel interface features sections for Trending Destinations and Inspiration, as well as a search bar for exploring various travel options.

Currently available on desktop, Perplexity plans to launch mobile versions soon.

Expedia highlights the growing impact of AI on travel, noting increased traffic and conversion rates driven by generative AI, which validates investments in the new channel.

Supporting this notion, Amadeus recently released a travel study, revealing that 18 percent of travelers now use genAI for trip discovery and search, with 64 percent of respondents even willing to pay for an AI travel assistant.