What it does
Skyscanner is a comprehensive travel search engine that helps users find, compare, and book flights, hotels, and car rentals. It aggregates options from hundreds of providers, allowing users to find the best prices and combinations for their trips. The app supports various search types, from standard roundtrips to flexible 'Explore Everywhere' and AI-powered 'Savvy Search' for travel inspiration.
Where it shines
Skyscanner excels at providing powerful, flexible search tools that cater to different types of travelers. The "Explore Everywhere" feature (01:03) is a prime example, allowing users to discover destinations based on price rather than a predetermined plan. For users with a vibe but no destination, the AI-driven "Savvy Search" (08:00) translates natural language prompts into curated travel suggestions. The app also handles complex logistics smoothly, such as building a multi-city itinerary (03:12) with clear results.
UX highlights
- The top-level navigation with clear 'Flights', 'Hotels', and 'Car Rental' tabs (00:44) immediately communicates the app's full scope.
- The calendar view for date selection (01:11) includes estimated prices for each day, helping users quickly identify the cheapest times to travel.
- Search results are cleanly presented with essential information like airline, duration, and price, with filters readily accessible (01:47).
- The 'Multi-city' search interface (03:19) is intuitive, making it easy to add and manage different legs of a complex journey.
- When booking, the app presents a clear summary and a visual metaphor of scales (01:54) to show it's comparing prices, building trust.
- The app uses empty states effectively, providing a helpful illustration and a clear call-to-action when a search hasn't been initiated (00:48).
Monetization & growth
Monetization is not directly handled in the app through user payments or subscriptions. Skyscanner operates on a referral model. After a user finds a suitable flight, hotel, or car, they are redirected to the provider's website to complete the booking (02:10). The app's growth strategy appears focused on becoming the go-to starting point for all travel planning by offering superior search and discovery tools, capturing user intent early, and earning affiliate commissions from partner bookings.
Who it’s for
Skyscanner is for a broad range of travelers, from budget-conscious explorers to meticulous planners. Its "Explore Everywhere" and "Savvy Search" features are perfect for spontaneous travelers and digital nomads looking for inspiration. The detailed filtering, multi-city planning, and price alert features cater to families and business travelers who need to manage complex logistics and stick to a budget.
Notes & opportunities
While the search experience is powerful, the transition from Skyscanner to the third-party booking site can be abrupt. The loading screen at 02:10 helps, but the user context is completely lost once they land on the partner site. There's an opportunity to create a more integrated handoff or provide clearer guidance on what to expect next. Additionally, while the app saves traveler details (10:52), incorporating features like passport scanning could further streamline the booking process on partner sites.