Airbnb has announced a swathe of additions coming to its app, including the ability to book luggage storage and car hire, as well as a voice mode for its AI assistant.
Announced Wednesday in a blog post, the accommodation company is furthering its reach into the broader travel booking market with additions rolling out over the summer.
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Airbnb said it was “extending the AI assistant to voice” later this year, meaning users could be able to use the existing chatbot like a customer service phone call (Airbnb rolled out its AI assistant in 2025). The company has been testing AI-powered search since February, which lets users describe the type of stay they’re after, or ask questions about listings using conversational language.
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The app will also add an AI-powered comparison tool later this year, which will let users compare accommodation options in their wish list for location and amenities.
Over the last year, the company has also been expanding the app’s Services component, adding options like airport pickups, grocery deliveries, makeup artists, photographers, catered meals for travellers to book. Soon, there’ll be options to book Bounce luggage storage and hire cars through the Airbnb app in “select cities”, both to be suggested by proximity to your accommodation.
Launching late summer, a new travel map will let users show Connections (people you’ve added as friends) where they’ve stayed or are staying in the future. Word of warning here: if you’ve left any nasty reviews on stays, your friends will be able to read them.
And finally, in a move unlike its signature home stays, Airbnb will now allow independent and boutique hotels to list on the app alongside hosted homes, with the company saying, “Each property is selected by Airbnb, with no big chains.”
It’s a crowded space, the travel booking market, with even TikTok getting in on the action these days.
