Airbnb vs Expedia: Founders, CEOs and History
Airbnb was founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk, Joe Gebbia and is led by Brian Chesky. Expedia was founded in 1996 by Rich Barton, Lloyd Frink and is led by Ariane Gorin.
Company facts
Founders
Airbnb
Brian Chesky
Brian Chesky co-founded Airbnb and has served as chief executive officer since the company's founding. He led Airbnb through its December 2020 public offering and remained CEO in the FY2025 Form 10-K.
Nathan Blecharczyk
Nathan Blecharczyk co-founded Airbnb and built the early platform. He remained an Airbnb director when the company filed its FY2025 Form 10-K.
Joe Gebbia
Joe Gebbia co-founded Airbnb and contributed to its early product and design. He remained an Airbnb director when the company filed its FY2025 Form 10-K.
Expedia
Rich Barton
Rich Barton is a legendary American technology entrepreneur and the highly influential visionary founder of Expedia. Working as a product manager at Microsoft in 1994, Barton was initially tasked with creating a travel-guide CD-ROM.
Lloyd Frink
Lloyd Frink is a highly prominent American technology executive and the critical co-founder of the massive online travel pioneer Expedia. A Stanford University graduate, Frink joined Microsoft in 1988, quickly rising through the ranks.
CEOs and their tenures
Airbnb
- Brian Chesky2008–present
Co-Founder and CEO
Brian Chesky co-founded Airbnb and has served as CEO since its founding.
Source - Joe Gebbia2008–2022
Co-Founder and product leader
Joe Gebbia co-founded Airbnb and worked on its early product and design.
Source
Expedia
- Peter Kern2020–2024
Former Chief Executive Officer
Kern's tenure was defined by survival and complex, necessary structural simplification. Prior to his arrival, Expedia Group operated as a fragmented federation of competing brands, resulting in technical debt and redundant marketing spend.
Source - Ariane Gorin2024–present
Chief Executive Officer
Under Gorin, revenue grew 8% in 2025 and accelerated to 14% in Q2 2026, with adjusted EBITDA margin expanding by 196 basis points in that quarter.
Source
Timeline: Airbnb and Expedia side by side
1996Expedia
Expedia Founded Inside Microsoft
Rich Barton launches Expedia as an ambitious division of Microsoft, pioneering the modern online travel agency.
1999Expedia
Spun Out and Listed on Nasdaq
Microsoft spins off the travel division in a successful IPO, establishing Expedia as an independent tech giant.
2001Expedia
Acquisition of Hotels.com
Expedia acquires Hotels.com, executing a strategic pivot to dominate the lucrative merchant hotel booking sector.
2007Airbnb
First Airbed & Breakfast guests
Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia hosted three guests in their San Francisco home in October 2007.
2008Airbnb
Formal launch and DNC bookings
Airbed & Breakfast formally launched in 2008 and recorded 80 bookings around the Democratic National Convention.
2009Airbnb
Name changed to Airbnb
The company changed its name from Airbed & Breakfast to Airbnb and expanded beyond rooms to apartments, whole homes, and vacation rentals.
2011Airbnb
International expansion
Airbnb began international expansion by opening a German office in June 2011.
2011Expedia
Spun off TripAdvisor
Expedia Group spun off TripAdvisor in December 2011.
2015Expedia
Vrbo & Orbitz Acquisitions
Executing aggressive, market consolidation, Expedia acquires HomeAway (Vrbo) to directly combat Airbnb, alongside legacy rival Orbitz.
2016Airbnb
Experiences launched
Airbnb launched Experiences in November 2016, adding host-led activities to the marketplace.
2017Airbnb
Luxury Retreats acquired
Airbnb acquired Luxury Retreats, adding more than 4,000 luxury homes in 100 destinations and concierge capabilities.
2019Airbnb
HotelTonight acquired
Airbnb agreed to acquire HotelTonight to add last-minute booking and boutique and independent hotel supply.
2020Airbnb
Initial public offering
Airbnb priced its initial public offering at $68 per share and began Nasdaq trading under ABNB in December 2020.
2022Airbnb
Categories, Split Stays, and AirCover for guests
Airbnb's 2022 Summer Release introduced Categories, Split Stays, and AirCover for guests.
2023Airbnb
Gameplanner.AI acquired
Airbnb acquired Gameplanner.AI to add artificial-intelligence expertise to product development.
2023Expedia
One Key Loyalty Program Launch
Expedia executes the complex unification of its fragmented rewards programs into the single 'One Key' ecosystem.
2025Airbnb
Services and rebuilt Experiences launched
Airbnb launched Services, rebuilt Experiences, and an updated app in May 2025.
2026Airbnb
Trip services and boutique hotels expanded
Airbnb's May 2026 release added trip-service partners, boutique hotels in selected destinations, and AI-assisted app features.
Acquisitions
Airbnb
- Gameplanner.AI2023Undisclosed
- HotelTonight2019Undisclosed
- Urbandoor2019Undisclosed
- Luxury Retreats2017Undisclosed
Expedia
- HomeAway (Vrbo)2015$3.9B
- Orbitz Worldwide & Travelocity2015$1.9B
- Hotels.com (Hotel Reservations Network)2003Undisclosed
Questions about Airbnb vs Expedia
Who is the CEO of Airbnb, Inc. and Expedia Group, Inc.?
Airbnb, Inc. is led by Brian Chesky and Expedia Group, Inc. is led by Ariane Gorin. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Airbnb, Inc. founded vs Expedia Group, Inc.?
Expedia Group, Inc. was founded in 1996 — 12 years before Airbnb, Inc., which was founded in 2008. Expedia Group, Inc.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Airbnb, Inc..
How many employees does Airbnb, Inc. have compared to Expedia Group, Inc.?
Airbnb, Inc. employs approximately 8,200 people, while Expedia Group, Inc. employs approximately 16,000. Expedia Group, Inc. has the larger workforce at 16,000 employees, compared to Airbnb, Inc.'s 8,200. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Airbnb, Inc. and Expedia Group, Inc. headquartered?
Both Airbnb, Inc. and Expedia Group, Inc. are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Airbnb, Inc. and Expedia Group, Inc.?
Airbnb, Inc. was founded by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk, Joe Gebbia. Expedia Group, Inc. was founded by Rich Barton, Lloyd Frink.
Which company has a longer operating history — Airbnb, Inc. or Expedia Group, Inc.?
Expedia Group, Inc. has been operating for approximately 30 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Airbnb, Inc. has been in operation for around 18 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Airbnb vs Expedia overview