This week, Alaska Airlines-backed startup Odysee officially launched at the World Aviation Festival, long considered to be the world’s leading aviation conference.
The startup was the first to be born out of the aviation venture lab by Alaska Airlines and UP.Labs. The two organizations started its partnership in 2023 to support ventures addressing issues related to aviation travel.
Odysee is an AI-powered platform that analyzes loads of data to help individuals get the most out of flight schedules. The AI destination search tool leverages technology from Microsoft and OpenAI’s GenAI to offer customers a new way to look for flights.
Additionally, the tool incorporates the airline’s loyalty program, allowing visitors to search for flights requiring a specific number of loyalty points or for those that will earn them many points.
The company has raised $5 million USD to date.
The startup launch was not the only news to come out of World Aviation Festival, which was held this year in Amsterdam.
At the conference Global airline alliance Sky Team announced a new partnership with rail operator Trenitalia to offer the public advanced travel options when arriving in Italy.
Once the partnership with Trenitalia is in place, SkyTeam frequent flyers will be able to earn and spend miles when traveling on eligible Frecciarossa rail itineraries.
World Aviation Festival also announced that eSIM company Sim Local would be the exclusive eSIM partner of the conference. Sim Local, founded by Irish entrepreneur Killian Whelan in 2011, is a trusted leader in the eSIM industry, and is fast expanding across the globe.
The enterprise caters to global travelers so they can stay connected and avoid expensive roaming charges, and sells local SIM cards and eSIM Profiles direct to customers through its Sim Local retail stores, kiosks, vending machines, and its mobile app and eShop.
