Acquisition accelerates Expedia Group’s AI-native trip planning offerings spanning the full journey – from inspiration, to planning, booking, and support for travelers worldwide
SEATTLE, July 31, 2026 - Expedia Group today announced that it has acquired Layla, an AI-native trip planning and booking platform that helps travelers discover destinations, create personalized itineraries, and plan complete trips through a conversational travel agent.
Layla has built one of the most innovative AI trip planning experiences, helping travelers move seamlessly from inspiration to itinerary creation across flights, accommodations, activities, dining, and transportation.
The acquisition accelerates Expedia Group's AI strategy by combining Layla's advanced planning and personalization capabilities with Expedia Group's global supply, first-party traveler insights, marketplace scale, and booking technology. It builds on Expedia Group's broader approach to AI innovation, which includes incorporating AI across its core traveler experiences, partnering with leading AI platforms, and exploring new AI-native experiences like Layla. Together, the companies will create richer, more personalized travel experiences that help travelers move effortlessly from inspiration and discovery to booking.
"Layla has built an exceptional AI-powered travel planning experience that aligns perfectly with our vision for the future of travel," said Shilpa Ranganathan, Chief Product Officer, Expedia Group. "We know that our travelers desire personalized and complete experiences, and AI is making that possible in entirely new ways. By combining Layla's innovation with Expedia Group's trusted marketplace, world-class supply, and technology platform, we can accelerate our ability to deliver the next generation of travel planning and booking."
"When Sardar Bali and I founded Layla in 2023, our goal was to make travel planning as easy as having a conversation," said Saad Saeed, Layla co-founder and CEO. "I’m incredibly grateful to our amazing team, who have worked tirelessly to bring us to this point. Joining Expedia Group gives us the scale, supply, and resources to bring that vision to millions more travelers around the world. Together, we have an incredible opportunity to redefine how people discover, plan, and book travel."
About Expedia Group
Expedia Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE) is the global travel marketplace with one purpose: to help travelers explore the world, one journey at a time. Expedia Group™ connects travelers, partners, and advertisers through its trusted brands, leading technology, and rich first-party data, delivering predictive, personalized experiences that shape the future of travel.
Expedia Group’s ecosystem includes three flagship consumer brands – Expedia®, Hotels.com®, and Vrbo® – the largest B2B travel business, and a premier advertising network. Guided by an experienced and passionate global team, Expedia Group helps millions of travelers in more than 70 countries explore the world with confidence and ease.
© 2026 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Expedia Group and the Expedia Group logo are trademarks of Expedia, Inc. CST: 2029030-50.
For more information, visit www.expediagroup.com.
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About Layla
Layla is an AI-powered travel agent that helps travelers discover, plan, and book trips through conversation. Layla is based in Berlin, Germany and was founded in 2023.
Forward Looking Statements
All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated benefits of the transaction. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Expedia Group assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Media contact: press@expedia.com