Skyscanner
Scottish global travel search metasearch engine that allows users to compare and book flights, hotels, and car rentals from multiple travel providers worldwide.
Company Type
public
Founded
2003
Headquarters
Edinburgh, Scotland
About Skyscanner
Ctrip, now known as Trip.com Group, is China's largest online travel company and one of the world's largest travel booking platforms. The company is publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol TCOM and is headquartered in Shanghai, China.
Trip.com Group operates multiple travel brands and serves millions of customers across China and international markets. The company's acquisition of Skyscanner was part of its strategy to expand globally and complement its strong position in Asian markets.
Skyscanner serves as Trip.com Group's primary platform for international travel search and European market operations, while Trip.com Group provides strategic guidance and resources for global expansion.
History of Skyscanner
Skyscanner was founded in 2003 by Gareth Williams, Barry Smith, and Gareth Jones in Edinburgh, Scotland. The company was created when Gareth Williams, a computer programmer, became frustrated with the difficulty of finding cheap flights and decided to create a tool to compare airline prices.
Throughout the mid-2000s, Skyscanner expanded rapidly across Europe, developing sophisticated flight comparison technology and adding new travel categories. The company pioneered many features now standard in travel metasearch, including flexible date searching and price alerts.
By the early 2010s, Skyscanner had become one of Europe's leading travel search engines, expanding into hotels, car rentals, and complete travel packages. The company established offices in multiple countries and localized its platform for different markets.
In 2016, Ctrip (now Trip.com Group) acquired Skyscanner for £1.4 billion, recognizing the value of Skyscanner's technology and European market presence. Following the acquisition, Skyscanner has continued to expand globally while maintaining its Edinburgh headquarters.
Brands Owned by Skyscanner
Skyscanner owns 0 brands in our database.
Skyscanner Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Strong backing from Ctrip/Trip.com Group with significant financial resources
- +Advanced travel search technology and price comparison algorithms
- +Strong brand recognition in European and global travel markets
- +Multilingual platform with localized market expertise
- +Comprehensive coverage of flights, hotels, and car rentals
- +Independent operations despite Chinese ownership
Considerations
- -Dependence on Ctrip for strategic direction and major decisions
- -Competition from other metasearch engines and direct supplier websites
- -Vulnerability to changes in travel industry partnerships
- -Need for continuous technology investment to maintain search quality
- -Complex regulatory environment across different global markets
Frequently Asked Questions About Skyscanner
Is Skyscanner owned by another company?
Yes, Skyscanner is owned by Ctrip (now Trip.com Group), China's largest online travel company. However, Skyscanner operates as an independent subsidiary with its own headquarters and operational autonomy.
Is Skyscanner publicly traded?
No, Skyscanner itself is not publicly traded as a separate entity. However, its parent company Trip.com Group (NASDAQ: TCOM) is publicly traded, allowing investors to own shares in the parent company.
When was Skyscanner founded?
Skyscanner was founded in 2003 by Gareth Williams, Barry Smith, and Gareth Jones in Edinburgh, Scotland. The company was created to solve the problem of finding and comparing cheap flights online.
Who founded Skyscanner?
Skyscanner was founded by Gareth Williams, Barry Smith, and Gareth Jones. The founders developed the travel search technology that has made Skyscanner one of the world's leading flight comparison platforms.
What is Skyscanner's market position?
Skyscanner is one of the world's leading travel metasearch engines, competing with Google Flights, Kayak, and other search platforms. The company maintains strong positions in European markets and serves millions of users globally.
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