Expedia Relaunches iPad App with Enhanced Search Functionality

  • Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014
  • Author: Tim Maytom
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UK imageTravel site Expedia has relaunched its tablet app for iOS and Android with an enhanced search functionality aimed at simplifying the interface for consumers.

The free app, which is available now, enables consumers to shop for both hotels and flights on the same screen, simply by entering or selecting a destination. This innovative approach, different to the industry standard approach to user interfaces, came about from Expedias decision to create an experience specifically for tablet users.

Internal research showed Expedia that tablet users were frustrated by website designs that forced users to pick a flight or hotel separately, with travelers seeking easier ways to see prices across destinations early in the shopping process, without losing access to traditional filters and sorting options.

Travel browsing on tablets often occurs while users are second-screening, so it was imperative that the app design remained simple and intuitive, even when users were multitasking.

“The problem is pretty basic: tablet apps to date havent actually been designed for browsing on a tablet,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, president of Expedia Worldwide and CEO of Expedia. “Travelers expect an easy, convenient way to explore potential travel destinations and browse flight and hotel details and they expect to be able to do it in a way that feels right for them when theyre on their tablet.

“They deserve this experience without sacrificing the in-depth industry knowledge and personalised insights our powerful Expedia search engines provide.”