KAYAK appoints Peer Bueller as Chief Executive Officer
Rhea-AI Summary
KAYAK (BKNG) named Peer Bueller as Chief Executive Officer, effective Feb 3, 2026. Peer joined KAYAK in 2016 as CFO and added COO duties in 2021, focusing on expansion, KAYAK for Business, and commercial innovation. Co-founder Steve Hafner moves from CEO to Executive Chair and will lead AI innovation initiatives at Booking Holdings.
The change follows Booking Holdings ownership since 2013 and is presented as a planned leadership transition to advance product and AI strategy.
Positive
- Leadership continuity with internal CEO appointment after 10+ years at KAYAK
- Experienced finance and operations leader with cross-brand Booking Holdings background
- Focus on AI innovation with Hafner moving to an AI leadership role
Negative
- Potential strategic transition risk from long-tenured founder stepping back
- Short-term execution risk as new CEO implements user-experience initiatives
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
BKNG was up about 2.41% as travel peers also traded higher: ABNB +1.4%, RCL +2.16%, TCOM +1.69%, EXPE +2.67%, and CUK +7.38%. The scanner, however, did not flag a coordinated sector momentum move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 28 | Product feature launch | Positive | -1.3% | KAYAK for Business added Events to centralize large corporate travel planning. |
| Jan 27 | Consumer behavior study | Positive | +0.9% | OpenTable data highlighted broadening Valentine’s dining trends and demand. |
| Jan 22 | Partnership expansion | Positive | -0.3% | Navan and Booking.com expanded API connection to deepen inventory and savings. |
| Jan 21 | Earnings webcast notice | Neutral | +2.7% | Company scheduled Q4 and full-year 2025 results webcast for Feb 18, 2026. |
| Jan 15 | Travel trends report | Positive | +0.1% | KAYAK issued 2026 travel trends based on searches and Gen Z/Millennial surveys. |
Recent KAYAK and Booking-branded announcements show a mix of aligned and divergent price reactions, with some product and partnership news followed by mild declines despite generally positive business narratives.
Over the last few weeks, BKNG has released several brand-focused updates. KAYAK product launches and trend reports on Jan 15 and Jan 28 highlighted product innovation and demand signals, yet saw modest moves between about -1.32% and +0.12%. An OpenTable research piece on Jan 27 coincided with a +0.9% reaction, while a Booking.com corporate partnership update on Jan 22 was followed by a slight -0.25% move. The upcoming earnings webcast announcement on Feb 18 aligned with a stronger +2.72% move, underscoring how core corporate events can draw more pronounced reactions than routine brand news.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights a leadership transition at KAYAK, with Peer Bueller becoming CEO after years in CFO and COO roles and Steve Hafner moving to Executive Chair. Recent BKNG news has emphasized product innovation, demand trends, and upcoming earnings on Feb 18, 2026. In assessing this change, investors may watch how KAYAK’s business growth trajectory, integration with Booking Holdings’ brands, and future product initiatives develop under the new leadership structure.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Co-Founder and Current CEO, Steve Hafner, named Executive Chair
Peer Bueller joined KAYAK in 2016 as Chief Financial Officer and added Chief Operating Officer to his remit in 2021. Since joining KAYAK, Peer's focus has been on the company's expansion efforts, the growth of KAYAK for Business, the brand's corporate travel platform, and driving commercial innovation.
After 22 years as Co-Founder and CEO of KAYAK, Steve Hafner will become Executive Chair of KAYAK, and will take on a new leadership role at Booking Holdings focused on advancing AI innovation to support the company's long term ambitions.
"Steve pioneered the metasearch category with the launch of KAYAK and delivered industry-leading results for KAYAK for many years, since our acquisition of the brand in 2013," said Glenn Fogel, Chief Executive Officer of Booking Holdings. "We'll continue to rely on his entrepreneurialism, leadership and deep expertise in travel tech in his new role within Booking Holdings."
"It has been an honor to lead KAYAK for the past 22 years. We have the innovation velocity, ambition and a highly engaged team - it's the perfect time to hand the reins to Peer. He's been indispensable to our success," said Steve Hafner, Co-Founder and Executive Chair, KAYAK.
"Peer is a 14-year Booking Holdings veteran having worked in finance leadership for Booking.com, OpenTable, and KAYAK, and has made a deep impact on our brands' growth and financial operations during his tenure," continued Glenn Fogel.
"As CEO of KAYAK, I will continue to focus on making KAYAK everyone's favorite travel app, while raising the bar on our user experience and turning our strategy into results. We see a lot of opportunity ahead, and we're well positioned to pursue it," said new KAYAK CEO Peer Bueller.
About KAYAK
KAYAK, part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG), is a leading travel search engine. With billions of queries across our platforms, we help people find their perfect flight, stay, rental car and vacation package. We also support business travelers with our corporate travel solution.
About Booking Holdings
Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) is the world's leading provider of online travel and related services, provided to consumers and local partners in more than 220 countries and territories through five primary consumer-facing brands: Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda, KAYAK and OpenTable. The mission of Booking Holdings is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. For more information, visit BookingHoldings.com and follow us on X @BookingHoldings.
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SOURCE Booking Holdings
FAQ
Who is the new CEO of KAYAK (BKNG) as of February 3, 2026?
What role will Steve Hafner hold after stepping down as KAYAK CEO?
What experience does Peer Bueller bring to the KAYAK CEO role?
How might the leadership change affect KAYAK's product strategy and user experience?
Does the announcement indicate any immediate financial guidance or stock actions for BKNG?
