Airbnb is undergoing a bold transformation from a travel platform to a daily-use “superapp” offering local services and experiences, but its success hinges on whether users adopt new habits outside of their holidays, says Paul Armstrong

Airbnb is having a busy 2025. The company reported $2.27bn in revenue for Q1, a six per cent year-over-year increase that came alongside a softer-than-expected forecast for Q2, pushing the stock down over five per cent. But the numbers are not the story, they’re the backdrop to a sweeping, expensive and highly personal transformation being led by CEO Brian “founder mode” Chesky.

Only everything is changing. The recent relaunch of the Airbnb app marks the start of a new chapter. A platform once narrowly focused on short-term rentals now wants to be a daily-use product. The updated app introduces in-home services across 10 categories like personal chefs, trainers, stylists and massage therapists available in over 260 cities. These services are bookable independently of a lodging reservation, many starting below $50. Alongside this comes a revamped version of Airbnb Experiences, now offering nearly 20,000 curated events, tours and workshops, positioned as more premium and unique than the company’s earlier attempt.

Chesky’s framing is almost philosophical. Airbnb, in his words, should counter the isolating effects of mainstream tech, it’s not just a travel company, it’s, he says, “a global community where you can live, travel and belong anywhere.” That’s a big leap from renting a flat in Barcelona for four nights.

There’s also a clear strategic undercurrent. Airbnb’s move aligns with a long-running Silicon Valley ambition slash obsession: the “everything app”. Tencent’s........

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