OpenAI has acquired Odessia, an artificial intelligence travel startup, and will bring on its founder, Francis Davidson, to focus on the future of travel. Davidson previously co-founded Sonder, a hospitality company that went public in 2022.
Odessia, launched less than a year ago, utilized AI agents to plan and book trips. The startup had facilitated over $60 million in planned travel over the summer through tens of thousands of users. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, and Odessia's service has ceased operations as part of the transition.
Francis Davidson, founder and CEO of Odessia, announced the acquisition on X, stating his excitement to join OpenAI and contribute to the company's future endeavors in the travel sector. An OpenAI spokesperson confirmed Davidson's appointment, describing him as a "proven founder who has built multiple businesses to help people travel." While OpenAI has not detailed specific plans for Odessia's technology, the acquisition integrates Davidson's expertise in the travel industry into OpenAI's operations.
Davidson's background includes co-founding Sonder in 2014, which he led until stepping down as CEO in 2025. Sonder grew into a company operating 250 properties across 10 countries before facing financial challenges, including a bankruptcy filing in late 2025. Odessia, founded after Davidson's departure from Sonder, raised $6 million in funding led by Sequoia Capital. The startup's service allowed users to plan and book flights, accommodations, and other travel components through a conversational interface, leveraging OpenAI's GPT-5.5 and Codex models.
The acquisition of Odessia by OpenAI occurs as the artificial intelligence landscape sees increased development in agent-based technologies. Several companies have launched personal assistant agents, and venture funding in this area has risen substantially. Travel planning is identified as a key area where AI-powered assistants could streamline consumer experiences by consolidating multiple trip-planning stages into a single interface.
OpenAI already collaborates with travel companies such as Booking.com, Expedia, and KAYAK. The integration of Odessia's technology and Davidson's experience may signal a strategic move by OpenAI to further enhance its offerings in the travel market. The cessation of Odessia's standalone service suggests the acquisition focused on its team and technological capabilities rather than its continued operation as an independent platform.