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Not just an update, but a reinvention
Airbnb Co-Founder and CEO Brian Chesky speaking at the event in Los Angeles on May 13.
Courtesy Airbnb/Kevin Mazur for Getty Images
Each year, a swarm of journalists touches down in sunny Los Angeles for Airbnb's biannual release – part product showcase, part glimpse into where travel is headed. This year's updates feel less like an app refresh and more like a total reinvention. The brand's Summer Release felt especially tailored to travelers who crave not just a bed but also a bit of magic: think private mezcal tastings, in-home massages, and curated cultural deep-dives that go beyond the tourist brochure. For LGBTQ+ travelers, there's a refreshing thread of inclusivity running throughout it all, from the experiences to the voices shaping them behind the scenes.
Let’s rewind for a second
Airbnb Co-Founder and CEO Brian Chesky, pictured with a very good boy
Courtesy Airbnb
It’s hard to remember a time when travel didn’t come with the inevitable question: “Hotel or Airbnb?” In fact, the word “Airbnb” has become so ubiquitous, it’s right up there with The Kardashians—another cultural mainstay that launched in 2007. What began as a trio of roommates renting out air mattresses in their San Francisco apartment to cover rent has since transformed hospitality as we know it. And now, in the words of co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky, it’s ready to do it all over again. “Seventeen years ago, we changed the way people travel. More than two billion guests later, Airbnb is synonymous with a place to stay,” Chesky said at the event. “With the launch of services and experiences, we’re changing travel again. Now you can Airbnb more than an Airbnb.”
Airbnb Originals bring the star power
Megan Thee Stallion serves anime energy and spicy ramen realness in her Airbnb Original experience
Courtesy Airbnb/Photo by Adrienne Raquel
One of the buzziest updates is the launch of Airbnb Originals – one-of-a-kind experiences hosted by some of the world’s most intriguing people. From Megan Thee Stallion’s “Otaku Hottie Quest” to a behind-the-scenes Broadway prep day with Keke Palmer, to game day rituals with Abby Wambach and Glennon Doyle of Angel City Football Club, these experiences blur the line between fan event and personal hangout. There’ll even be a glam session with Sabrina Carpenter, where you’ll more than likely leave with quite an impression.
The release event itself felt more like a Grammys red carpet affair than a tech launch – in the best way possible – with appearances from the likes of Doechii, Becky G, Shaboozey, Chance the Rapper, Christina Aguilera, Ciara, Kelly Rowland, Alicia Keys, Normani, and the Htown Hottie herself. Whether all these stars are future Airbnb Originals collaborators or simply fans of the platform, we’ll have to wait and see – but one thing’s clear: Airbnb isn’t just a place to book beds anymore.
Book a blowout, a massage, or a private chef
Airbnb Services lets you book top-rated pros – like private chefs and photographers – in over 260 cities
Courtesy Airbnb
Airbnb Services is the other big reveal, letting users book vetted professionals in ten different categories across 260+ cities worldwide. Chefs, photographers, personal trainers, massage therapists, estheticians, hairstylists, nail techs, and yoga instructors are all available. Planning a proposal in Paris? Hire a local photographer who captures your aesthetic. Need to unwind after too much sightseeing? Tap for an authentic Swedish massage. Want to throw a dinner party in Miami? Book a private chef. These offerings aren’t just for travelers, either. You can live in LA., have friends in town, and book an outdoor yoga class in a Bel Air mansion, or arrange a styling session in NYC or a CBD spa treatment in Austin. Unlike other apps where you gamble on quality – and let’s be honest, worry you’ve been scammed until the moment it starts – Airbnb vets hosts for experience, expertise, and credentials. Services can be booked instantly, often in just a few taps, and many start under $50.
A smarter way to travel
Brian Chesky unveils the redesigned app offering homes, services, and experiences – all in one seamless scroll
Courtesy Airbnb/Photo by Jesse Grant for Getty Images
The newly redesigned Airbnb app ties everything together: homes, services, and experiences in one sleek interface. It’s easier to browse, easier to compare, and – finally – easier to budget. Another welcome change? Airbnb recently started showing the total cost of your reservation, including cleaning and service fees, right from the start. It’s a small change, but one that goes a long way toward reducing that dreaded “$89 a night” surprise that turns into $207 at checkout. Booking is also faster, with most experiences and services available to reserve instantly, in just a few taps. The layout is clean, intuitive, and actually feels like it was built for how we plan trips today – on our phones, in a rush, and on the fly – whether that’s a spontaneous escape or a special evening in your hometown.
Safety, trust, and the Tara Bunch effect
Tara Bunch, Airbnb’s Global Head of Operations
Courtesy Airbnb
For LGBTQ+ travelers, booking a trip often comes with extra questions – and extra precautions. Airbnb’s Global Head of Operations, Tara Bunch, who’s been named to Fast Company’s Queer 50 list twice, spoke candidly about the platform’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity. “One of the things we require of all hosts and guests is that they agree to our community commitment, and that requires everyone to treat everyone with respect, without bias, no exceptions… we have zero tolerance for discrimination,” she said. She also shared that she’s the executive sponsor for Airbnb’s Pride employee group—a role she’s held proudly at Apple and HP in previous leadership positions. Her message to other LGBTQ+ professionals in tech? “Try to always be authentic. I think it's one of the most important leadership attributes... One of the most important things that a leader has to have in order to be successful, I believe, is trust.”
A shift toward experience-first travel
Airbnb’s new Messages tab helps guests stay connected and share moments before, during, and after an experience
Courtesy Airbnb
Of all the latest updates, what stood out most for me – even more than the delightfully unexpected celebrity sightings – was the push for meaningful, local connection. To a place, to a culture, and each other. “We have a really strong value around connections and creating connections and understanding of other people's cultures and backgrounds, identities, etc.,” Bunch said. That value comes through in the range of LGBTQ+ experiences now live on Airbnb where you can opt to take a queer history walking tour in Greenwich Village, uncover Berlin’s queer legacy, or hop through Lisbon’s top LGBTQ+ nightlife spots, and so much more.
The redesigned Messages tab only adds to that spirit of connection, with new features like photo and video sharing, integrated payments, and the ability to message fellow guests before, during, or after an experience—so those spontaneous friendships don’t have to end when the tour does.Whether you’re traveling abroad or exploring your city’s backyard, Airbnb’s 2025 Summer Release signals something bigger: a shift toward thoughtful, inclusive, and experience-first travel. And that’s something we can all get behind – no matter where we’re going.
