Uber to Add Flights, Rail and Hotel Reservations to Its

Skift Take

We shouldn’t be too surprised, thinking about Uber’s Dara Khosrowshahi was formerly the CEO of Expedia Group. However technical concerns will remain over how a ride-hailing and food shipment app can transform into a superapp so quickly.

Matthew Parsons

Ride-hailing and food shipment app Uber has its eyes on the “seamless journey” with plans to add flights, trains and even hotels.

The new features will first be piloted in the UK, and follow the addition of Uber Explore last month– a new platform that uses live events, dining establishments and other activities.

The choice would indicate a turn-around on the comments its CEO made at Skift Global Forum in September in 2015. “The superapp method is more of an Asia strategy,” Dara Khosrowshahi stated. “At this moment, we believe separate apps for consumers is the proper way to go. However we’ll make it seamless and wonderful for users to jump in between apps.”

Given that Khosrowshahi spoke at the New York occasion, AirAsia (or Capital A as it rebranded to) has doubled down on its superapp technique in Southeast Asia. It has actually begun offering a brand-new membership prepare for flights and food delivery to clients in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Also speaking at Skift Global Online Forum, Hopper CEO Frederic Lalonde anticipated that a Western international superapp for travel would emerge. “It might be owned by Google, Facebook or Alibaba, but it will be a superapp and we’re attempting to become that,” he said on phase.

Uber might have been planning this for some time, as it was just granted a 30-month license extension to run in London last month. The UK has likewise dropped almost all Covid-related restrictions.

“Everyone values the liberty to make travel arrangements in a simple and convenient way, which is why we’re thrilled to become a one-stop look for all your travel needs,” said Jamie Heywood, Uber’s regional basic manager for UK, northern and eastern Europe.

Rail and coach reservations are supposedly releasing later this summertime, flight reservations later on this year, and hotel bookings in 2023. It will also roll out across the country automobile leasings on the app. While commissions from selling different types of content stand to be substantial, the big concern will be how it navigates integrating many various booking abilities.

UPDATE: This story was updated when the new strategies were announced.