The term “everything app” has gained prominence. Originating from the success of China’s WeChat—a platform that integrates messaging, payments, social networking, shopping, and more—the concept has inspired global tech companies to reimagine their platforms. While companies like Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) aim to become all-encompassing platforms across industries, Airbnb is quietly carving its own path by attempting to become an “everything app” within the travel and lifestyle ecosystem.
Founded in 2008 as a simple platform to rent rooms or homes from strangers, Airbnb has grown into a global travel giant. But over the past several years, the company has expanded beyond just accommodation. Its strategic direction, investments in AI, and growing suite of features show a clear intent: to be the go-to app for every part of the travel journey. While it may not be an everything app in the broadest sense, Airbnb is certainly aiming to be an all-in-one solution for travelers.
From Rentals to Experiences
One of the most visible moves Airbnb made toward this broader vision was the launch of Airbnb Experiences in 2016. This feature allowed hosts to offer not just lodging, but unique, curated activities—like local food tours, surf lessons, art workshops, and cultural events. This marked a pivotal shift in Airbnb’s identity. No longer was it just a place to find a bed for the night; it became a platform to discover and participate in the local culture.
Experiences aligned perfectly with the growing traveler preference for immersive, local, and authentic adventures. It also gave Airbnb a new revenue stream and a stronger emotional connection with users. Travelers didn’t just stay in homes—they lived like locals.
Catering to Remote Workers and Longer Stays
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reshaped how and where people work. Airbnb quickly pivoted to accommodate this shift, positioning itself as a platform not just for vacations, but for long-term stays and digital nomadism. It introduced features like monthly discounts, verified Wi-Fi speeds, and remote-work-friendly properties.
CEO Brian Chesky has openly embraced the idea of Airbnb being a home base for people who want to “live anywhere.” By promoting remote work hubs and forging partnerships with governments to encourage long-term stays, Airbnb is expanding its scope from tourism to lifestyle infrastructure—another step toward being a comprehensive platform.
Toward an Integrated Travel Planner
Airbnb has also begun integrating trip planning features into its app. Users can save favorite listings, organize travel ideas into wishlists, and explore local guides. These features blur the lines between a booking site and a travel planning tool, pushing Airbnb closer to becoming a one-stop shop.
In 2023, Airbnb launched major design updates including a new split-screen map view, curated categories (like castles or domes), and improved filters to help users discover unique stays more easily. The goal? To help travelers not just book a place, but to dream, explore, plan, and experience—all within one app.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
Airbnb’s recent push into AI-driven personalization is a key piece of the puzzle. CEO Brian Chesky has suggested that AI will transform Airbnb into a “travel concierge.” Instead of simply browsing listings, users could describe the kind of trip they want—and Airbnb would generate personalized options, complete with stays, activities, and even itineraries.
This vision is central to the everything app strategy: providing seamless, intelligent assistance throughout the entire customer journey. AI would not only streamline planning and booking but enhance support, suggest local recommendations, and even improve interactions between hosts and guests.
Payments and Messaging: Building a Superapp Skeleton
Another aspect of the everything app model is frictionless communication and transactions. Airbnb already integrates in-app messaging, allowing guests and hosts to communicate directly without needing to use email or external platforms. It also processes secure payments, handles multiple currencies, and offers host guarantees and insurance.
While not yet a financial platform in the way WeChat Pay or Venmo might be, Airbnb’s integrated ecosystem allows users to book, pay, message, and review all in one place. These features are foundational to the superapp model, even if Airbnb isn’t seeking to expand into broader fintech or social media spaces.
Transportation: The Missing Piece?
One area where Airbnb has yet to fully expand is transportation. While it has dabbled in offering travel advice and has hinted at ambitions to cover more of the travel chain, it does not currently offer flights, trains, or car rentals directly on its platform. However, Chesky has said in past interviews that transportation could be a future focus—once the core home and experiences offerings are fully optimized.
If Airbnb were to integrate flight or rental car bookings—either through partnerships or direct services—it would move significantly closer to being a full-fledged travel superapp.
Conclusion: A Focused Everything App for Travel
While Airbnb may never compete with WeChat or X as a generalized everything app for all aspects of digital life, its ambitions are clearly focused. The company is steadily building an integrated, AI-powered platform that consolidates the entire travel experience into one seamless app. From dreaming and discovering to booking, staying, experiencing, and even living anywhere—Airbnb wants to own every step.
This focused version of an everything app is arguably more realistic and more valuable. Rather than dilute its brand by expanding into unrelated services, Airbnb is building deep integration and value within a high-emotion, high-spending category: travel. And if it succeeds, it won’t just be a place to book a stay—it will be the operating system for how people explore the world.