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.

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.

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.

Airbnb was founded in August 2008 by Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk in San Francisco. The founding concept emerged when Chesky and Gebbia, unable to pay rent on their San Francisco apartment, decided to rent out air mattresses in their living room to attendees of an industrial design conference. They created a simple website called "Air Bed & Breakfast" and hosted three guests at $80 per night.

Blecharczyk, a software engineer, joined as the technical co-founder. The company was accepted into Y Combinator in early 2009, which provided initial funding and mentorship. The founders refined the platform from its original air mattress concept into a broader peer-to-peer accommodation rental marketplace.

Airbnb raised its first significant venture capital funding in 2010, including a $7.2 million Series A round led by Sequoia Capital and Greylock Partners. By 2011, the company had expanded internationally and was operating in dozens of countries. Growth was driven by the appeal of unique, local accommodations at prices often lower than hotels, as well as the income opportunity for hosts.

The mid-2010s brought rapid growth and significant regulatory challenges. Cities including New York, San Francisco, Barcelona, and Amsterdam implemented restrictions on short-term rentals, arguing that they reduced housing supply for long-term residents and drove up rents. Airbnb also faced criticism related to discrimination on its platform. A 2016 Harvard Business School study found that guests with distinctively African American names were significantly less likely to be accepted by hosts. Airbnb responded by implementing anti-discrimination policies and requiring hosts to accept bookings without seeing guest photos in some cases.

In 2017, Airbnb was valued at approximately $31 billion in a private funding round, making it one of the most valuable private companies in the world. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused revenue to fall sharply and forced the company to lay off approximately 25% of its workforce. Despite the disruption, Airbnb proceeded with its IPO in December 2020. The stock opened at $146 per share, nearly double the $68 IPO price, valuing the company at approximately $100 billion.

Following the IPO, Airbnb benefited from a strong travel recovery and the rise of remote work, which enabled longer stays and travel to non-traditional destinations. The company introduced features to support longer-term stays, including monthly pricing discounts and filters for amenities important to remote workers.

In FY2025, Airbnb delivered double-digit growth across all key metrics. Q4 2025 revenue grew 12% to $2.8 billion, with GBV of $20.4 billion, up 16% year over year. The company's app strategy drove 64% of total nights booked through the app in Q4 2025, up from 60% in the prior year period. In Q2 2026, revenue accelerated to $3.6 billion, up 17% year over year, and Airbnb raised its full-year 2026 outlook.

Airbnb has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions for its corporate operations by 2030. The company reports its environmental metrics in annual sustainability disclosures. Airbnb's corporate emissions are relatively low given its asset-light model, as the company does not own the properties listed on its platform.

The company offers carbon offset options to guests through verified projects. Airbnb has partnered with environmental organizations, including the Environmental Defense Fund, to inform its climate strategy. The company promotes sustainable hosting through badges for properties with eco-friendly features such as solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and water conservation systems.

On ethical practices, Airbnb has implemented anti-discrimination policies following a 2016 Harvard Business School study that documented bias on the platform. The company requires hosts to agree to a community commitment against discrimination and has implemented AI-powered tools to detect potential bias in booking decisions.

Airbnb maintains safety protocols including host and guest verification, 24/7 customer support, and insurance coverage for hosts. The company has faced criticism regarding housing affordability in popular tourist markets, with research suggesting that short-term rentals reduce housing supply for long-term residents. Airbnb disputes the scale of this effect and has partnered with cities on regulatory frameworks.

• TIME100 Most Influential Companies (2023): Airbnb was included in Time's annual list recognizing companies shaping the global economy.
• Fast Company Most Innovative Companies (2024 and 2025): Airbnb was recognized for innovation in travel technology and marketplace design.
• Glassdoor Best Places to Work (2024): The company received high marks for employee satisfaction and workplace culture.
• Webby Awards (2024): Multiple awards for website design and user experience in the travel category.

Airbnb has faced persistent regulatory opposition in cities worldwide. New York City implemented restrictive short-term rental regulations in 2023, requiring hosts to register with the city and be present during guest stays, effectively banning most Airbnb-style rentals. Similar restrictions have been implemented or are under consideration in Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris, and other popular tourist destinations.

Housing affordability criticism is ongoing. Research suggests that short-term rentals reduce the supply of long-term rental housing in popular neighborhoods, contributing to higher rents. Airbnb disputes the scale of this effect and argues that host income benefits local economies. Edinburgh introduced a tourist tax on overnight stays including Airbnb-style rentals, projected to raise approximately 50 million GBP annually by 2029.

Discrimination on the platform has been documented in academic studies. A 2016 Harvard Business School study found that guests with distinctively African American names were significantly less likely to be accepted by hosts. Airbnb implemented anti-discrimination policies and tools in response, though criticism continues.

Safety incidents at Airbnb properties, including hidden cameras discovered by guests and violent incidents, have generated negative publicity. Airbnb has implemented enhanced safety policies, including verified guest profiles and a 24/7 safety hotline. The company maintains insurance coverage for hosts through its AirCover program.