Who Owns Airbnb?
Airbnb is owned by Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB), a publicly traded American technology company headquartered in San Francisco, California. Founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk, the company operates the largest online marketplace for short-term accommodations and reported $12.2 billion in FY2025 revenue with 533 million nights and seats booked.
Parent Company
Founded
2008
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Who Owns Airbnb?
- Parent Company: Airbnb, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Brand division
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: ABNB
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Airbnb | Airbnb, Inc. | Brand division |
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History of Airbnb
- Founded: 2008
- Founders: Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, Nathan Blecharczyk
Airbnb began in October 2007 when roommates Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, both graduates of the Rhode Island School of Design, could not afford rent on their San Francisco apartment. During a design conference that filled local hotels, they placed three air mattresses on their living room floor and charged guests $80 per night, including breakfast. Nathan Blecharczyk, a software engineer and former roommate of Gebbia, joined as technical co-founder, and the site launched in August 2008 as airbedandbreakfast.com.
The company was accepted into the Y Combinator accelerator in early 2009 and shortened its name to Airbnb that March. Sequoia Capital provided a $600,000 seed investment. A $7.2 million Series A led by Sequoia and Greylock Partners followed in November 2010. Growth was rapid after that. Airbnb opened its first international office in London in 2011 and passed 10 million cumulative nights booked by mid-2012.
In July 2014, Airbnb introduced a new logo called the Belo, intended to represent belonging. The company expanded to Cuba in 2015 after US travel restrictions eased, and in November 2016 launched Trips, adding hosted activities under the Experiences name. A 2017 funding round valued the company at approximately $31 billion.
The COVID-19 pandemic cut bookings sharply in early 2020. Airbnb laid off about 1,900 employees, roughly a quarter of its workforce, in May 2020. Recovery came faster than expected as domestic and rural travel surged. The company completed its IPO on December 10, 2020, pricing shares at $68. The stock opened at $146, valuing Airbnb near $100 billion in one of the largest technology listings of that year.
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Post-IPO, Airbnb benefited from remote work patterns that drove longer stays. The platform passed 1.5 billion cumulative guest arrivals in 2024. In May 2024 it launched Icons, a category of high-profile themed stays. A major platform expansion followed in May 2025, when the company relaunched Experiences and introduced Services, offerings such as chefs and photographers that can be booked without an accommodation. In FY2025 the company reported $12.2 billion in revenue, up 10%, with $2.5 billion in net income and $4.6 billion in free cash flow. Momentum continued into 2026, with Q2 2026 revenue of $3.6 billion, up 17% year over year.
About Airbnb, Inc.
What does Airbnb own?
Airbnb operates an online marketplace connecting hosts who list their homes, apartments, rooms, or unique properties with guests seeking short-term accommodations. The company also facilitates bookings for Experiences, activities hosted by local experts in destinations worldwide. Airbnb does not own the properties listed on its platform. The company charges service fees to both hosts and guests on each completed booking.
Is Airbnb publicly traded?
Yes, Airbnb, Inc. trades on NASDAQ under ticker symbol ABNB. The company went public in December 2020 in one of the largest IPOs of that year, with shares opening at $146, nearly double the $68 IPO price. Airbnb has a dual-class share structure that gives co-founders Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk significant voting control. As of January 31, 2026, there were approximately 423.6 million Class A shares and 175.9 million Class B shares outstanding.
Who founded Airbnb?
Airbnb was founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk in San Francisco. The concept originated when Chesky and Gebbia rented air mattresses in their apartment to conference attendees. Blecharczyk joined as the technical co-founder, and the company was accepted into Y Combinator in 2009. Brian Chesky has served as CEO since the company's founding.
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Where is Airbnb headquartered?
Airbnb is headquartered in San Francisco, California, USA. The company operates globally, with 61% of its FY2025 revenue generated from listings outside the United States. Airbnb operates in more than 220 countries and regions through its online platform.
How many brands does Airbnb own?
Airbnb operates primarily under the Airbnb brand, with sub-categories including Airbnb Rooms, Airbnb Experiences, and Airbnb Services. The company has one primary brand rather than a diversified portfolio. Airbnb's focus has been on expanding the functionality and reach of its core platform rather than acquiring additional brands.
Who owns Airbnb?
Airbnb is a publicly traded corporation owned by its shareholders. Major institutional holders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and other large asset managers. The company's dual-class share structure gives co-founders Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk majority voting control through their Class B shares, which carry 20 votes per share compared to one vote per Class A share.
What is Airbnb's revenue?
In FY2025, Airbnb reported revenue of $12.2 billion, up 10% year over year. Net income was $2.5 billion, representing a 21% net income margin. The company generated $91.3 billion in Gross Booking Value and facilitated 533 million nights and seats booked. In Q2 2026, revenue accelerated to $3.6 billion, up 17% year over year.
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Has Airbnb made any recent acquisitions?
Airbnb has not made major acquisitions in recent years. The company's growth strategy has focused on expanding its core platform, investing in new product features, and entering new geographic markets. In 2025 and 2026, Airbnb has invested in AI-driven product features and new business lines beyond accommodations, including services and experiences.
- Founded: 2008
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: ABNB
- Revenue: $12.2 billion (FY2025)
- Employees: Approximately 7,400
Where Is Airbnb Made / Based?
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
Airbnb Categories & Tags
Airbnb Sustainability & Ethics
Airbnb has committed to operating as a net-zero company for its corporate emissions by 2030. Because the company does not own the properties on its platform, its direct environmental footprint is limited to offices, data operations, and business travel. The company has purchased carbon offsets through verified projects and promotes listings with eco-friendly features.
On the social side, Airbnb's most significant ethical intervention came after a 2016 Harvard Business School study documented racial discrimination by hosts. The company introduced its Community Commitment, an Open Doors policy that rebooks or refunds guests who experience discrimination, and Project Lighthouse, an internal initiative that analyzes booking patterns for signs of bias. Host photos are now shown only after a booking is confirmed in most cases.
Airbnb.org, the company's nonprofit arm, provides free temporary housing for refugees and disaster survivors and has housed hundreds of thousands of people since its formal launch in 2020.
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Awards & Recognition
- TIME100 Most Influential Companies (2023): Named by Time for its impact on global travel.
- Fast Company Most Innovative Companies (2024 and 2025): Recognized for marketplace design and product development.
- Webby Awards (2024): Multiple honors in the travel and apps categories.
Airbnb Recalls & Controversies
Airbnb's central controversy is regulatory. New York City's Local Law 18, enforced from September 2023, requires hosts to register and be present during stays under 30 days, which removed most short-term listings in the city. Barcelona has ordered the removal of thousands of listings, Amsterdam enforces a 30-night annual cap, and Paris limits primary residences to 120 rental nights per year. Airbnb has sued several cities over these rules with mixed results.
Housing advocates and academic researchers argue that short-term rentals reduce long-term housing supply and raise rents in high-tourism neighborhoods. Airbnb disputes the magnitude of the effect and points to host income benefits.
In November 2023, Airbnb agreed to pay Italy approximately 576 million euros to settle claims that it failed to collect a national tourist tax on behalf of hosts. Safety incidents, including hidden cameras found in listings, led the company to ban indoor security cameras in all properties effective April 2024. The platform also codified its pandemic-era party ban into permanent policy in 2022, citing a reduction in reported party incidents.
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Airbnb Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Public-company governance with audited financials and SEC disclosure requirements
- +Founder control through Class B shares enables long-term product investment without short-term earnings pressure
- +Asset-light model generates $4.6 billion in annual free cash flow with minimal capital expenditure
- +Network effects from 8 million listings create a durable competitive moat
- +Strong balance sheet funds buybacks and new category expansion
Considerations
- -Concentrated regulatory exposure: a single city's rules can remove thousands of listings
- -Dual-class shares limit ordinary shareholder influence over governance
- -Founders' voting control reduces accountability to public investors
- -Brand reputation is directly exposed to host behavior the company cannot fully control
- -Housing affordability criticism creates persistent political and reputational risk
Frequently Asked Questions About Airbnb
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Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Airbnb
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingdom Hospitality | United States | 2021 | Premium | United states | All Genders | |
| Royal Caribbean Group | United States | 1969 | Premium | Global | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Travel HospitalityKingdom Hospitality
Owned by Kingdom Hospitality, LLC
Full-service short-term rental and vacation property management company founded by Tim Venus in 2021 and headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, serving owners across multiple US markets.
short-term-rentalsvacation-rentalsproperty-management
Travel HospitalityRoyal Caribbean
Owned by Royal Caribbean Group
Flagship cruise line brand of Royal Caribbean Group, the world's largest cruise brand by ship size and innovation.
cruisestravelvacations
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Airbnb competes with 2 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Independent Alternatives to Airbnb
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Airbnb, Inc., giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
Travel HospitalityKingdom Hospitality
Owned by Kingdom Hospitality, LLC
Full-service short-term rental and vacation property management company founded by Tim Venus in 2021 and headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, serving owners across multiple US markets.
short-term-rentalsvacation-rentalsproperty-management
Privately Owned
Kingdom Hospitality is privately owned, unlike Airbnb which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityAtlantis Resorts
Owned by Kerzner International Holdings Limited
Luxury integrated resort brand operating properties in the Bahamas, Dubai, and China under two separate ownership structures, with new resorts announced for the Maldives and Saudi Arabia.
luxury-resortsintegrated-resortshospitality
Privately Owned
Atlantis Resorts is privately owned, unlike Airbnb which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityFinns Beach Club
Owned by FINNS Bali Group
Beachfront entertainment venue in Canggu, Bali, known for infinity pools, dining, and sunset events. Operated by PT Pantai Semara Nusantara.
beach-clubhospitalitybali
Privately Owned
Finns Beach Club is privately owned, unlike Airbnb which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityTaj Hotels
Owned by Tata Group
India's flagship luxury hotel brand, operated by Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), a subsidiary of Tata Group. One of the most recognized luxury hospitality brands in Asia with approximately 350 hotels globally.
luxury-hotelsindian-brandhospitality
Privately Owned
Taj Hotels is privately owned, unlike Airbnb which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityThe Beach Tower
Owned by Kerzner International Holdings Limited
Former hotel tower at Atlantis Paradise Island that was closed in 2021 and acquired by Pharrell Williams for redevelopment into Somewhere Else hotel.
hotel-towerresort-accommodationbahamas
Privately Owned
The Beach Tower is privately owned, unlike Airbnb which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityThe Ritz London
Owned by Ritz Hotel (London) Limited
Iconic five-star luxury hotel on Piccadilly in London, founded by Cesar Ritz in 1906 and privately owned by Qatari businessman Abdulhadi Mana Al-Hajri since March 2020.
luxury-hotellondonfive-star
Privately Owned
The Ritz London is privately owned, unlike Airbnb which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Airbnb, Inc. Stock Information
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