Finance

Kayak's Feature to Filter Out Boeing 737 Max 9 for Concerned Travelers

Published January 14, 2024

In response to growing concerns from flyers about the safety of the Boeing 737 Max 9, travel search engine Kayak has implemented a feature that allows users to exclude the jet from their flight search results. This move is particularly relevant for customers of Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, which operate the Max 9 within the United States. Major travel conglomerate Expedia Group, Inc. EXPE owns Kayak and has made this proactive step as customer safety and confidence in air travel become increasingly paramount.

Consumer Choice Enhanced on Kayak

Given that the Boeing Company BA, the manufacturer of the 737 Max 9, faced significant scrutiny after two fatal crashes involving the aircraft type, the feature enhances consumer choice. Alphabet Inc. GOOG, the technological titan behind innovative internet tools, stands as a broader comparison to Kayak’s initiative to empower users through tech. While disparate in industry focus, both companies underscore the critical nature of meeting consumer needs with technology.

Aviation and Investment Implications

United Airlines Holdings, Inc. UAL and other carriers operating the Max 9 are observing how market dynamics evolve as customers leverage the newly-introduced features. Investors in the aviation sector should watch both carriers and manufacturers like Boeing closely as consumer sentiment can often precede shifts in market position. This adaptation by Kayak is part of a broader trend in which travel companies use technology to align closer with consumer preferences.

Kayak, Boeing, Travel