Accommodation provider Airbnb has appointed former Virgin America CEO Fred Reid as global head of transportation, as part of the company’s push to make travel more tolerable.
“We’re going to explore a broad range of ideas and partnerships that can make transportation better. We haven’t settled on exactly what those will look like,” Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky said, announcing Reid’s appointment.
“I’m not interested in building our own airline or creating just another place on the internet where you can buy a plane ticket, but there is a tremendous opportunity to improve the transportation experience for everyone.”
Airbnb is aiming to build “an end-to-end travel platform that combines where you stay, what you do, and how you get there, all in one place.”
Reid was Virgin America’s founding CEO. He has also been president of Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and Lufthansa, as well as playing strong roles with SkyTeam and Star Alliance.
He joins Airbnb from his role as president of Cora Aircraft Program, a division of Kitty Hawk, where he oversaw the development of an autonomous electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. Prior to that, he was president of Bombardier’s Flexjet business-jet operation.
Airbnb said Reid has been hired to tackle the “monumental task” of making travel enjoyable. “There was a time when getting on a plane was a magical trip of its own, but over the years, how you get to where you’re going has become an experience we endure, not enjoy. We believe that needs to change,” Airbnb said…
