AI tools are speeding up travel planning, transit, and deliveries

In short: AI is increasingly turning travel planning, getting around, and receiving packages into faster, more direct experiences.

What's going on

More travelers are using AI to plan trips instead of doing hours of research. A Phocuswright report found 56% of U.S. leisure travelers used AI for at least one trip in the past 12 months, up from 43% in late 2025. The same report says tools like ChatGPT and Gemini now make up 33% of trip research activity, which is about five times higher than in 2024.

This is changing how people book travel. In one related study, 86% of travelers who used AI for planning also used it to find or book a place to stay, and 63% said they rely on AI for most or every trip. Adobe also reports that visits to U.S. travel sites coming from AI sources rose 194% year over year in May 2026, and those visitors tend to stick around longer and leave less often.

AI is also showing up after people arrive. Tourism groups are adding chat tools and itinerary builders, and Southport in England has launched “Jimmy,” an AI digital guide at its train station. Jimmy answers visitor questions in real time, speaks 99 languages, and can be opened on a phone using a QR code.

On the road and in the air, companies are using real-time AI systems to reduce delays. INRIX has introduced an AI traffic product that aims to give more precise arrival times by updating conditions instantly. Airlines are also leaning on “stream processing” (like a live scoreboard instead of yesterday’s newspaper) so teams can react to problems as they happen.

What to watch

As AI becomes a common front door to travel and delivery services, it will matter who controls the answers and how accurate they are. It will also be worth watching how much these tools help with logistics versus helping people decide what they actually want from a trip.

Source: NYTimes