Otto The Agent, a new artificial intelligence-powered assistant designed specifically for business travelers, has officially launched after nine months in closed beta. Supported by Madrona Venture and former leaders from Orbitz, Expedia and Concur, the platform aims to redefine how professionals plan and manage their travel.
Its mission centers on simplicity and personalization, replacing traditional search-and-book workflows with a conversational system that behaves more like a human executive assistant. According to CEO and founder Michael Gulmann, business travelers “deserve more than a search box,” and Otto is built to anticipate needs, resolve issues and keep itineraries running smoothly even when unexpected disruptions occur.
The assistant is designed to complete full travel transactions entirely within the interface, without redirecting users to third-party websites or requiring them to reenter payment or profile details. Once Otto evaluates options and presents recommendations, travelers can simply say “book it,” allowing the system to confirm flights, hotels or other arrangements instantly.
This frictionless flow is one of the platform’s defining features, removing steps that traditionally slow down corporate travel planning while ensuring consistency through automated data handling.
Otto also integrates calendar intelligence, allowing it to read schedules, understand constraints and make proactive suggestions. If a meeting shifts or a flight is canceled, the assistant automatically begins replanning, searching alternates and adjusting the itinerary without being prompted.
Over time, the system learns personal habits, loyalty preferences and favored airlines or hotels, transforming trip planning into a predictive process rather than a reactive one. The company describes this as bringing concierge-level service – once available only to top executives – to any employee who travels for work.
Backing from industry veterans further strengthens Otto’s positioning. Steve Singh, founder of Concur and executive chairman of both Spotnana and Otto The Agent, emphasized that the future of travel will be “personal, predictive and effortless.” His involvement signals a broader industry momentum toward AI-driven travel infrastructure.
Otto connects directly with Spotnana’s platform, Booking.com inventory and existing calendars via Microsoft 365 and Google. It can be accessed through web, mobile and email interfaces, while also offering the option to escalate to a human support line through Direct Travel for travelers who prefer speaking with an agent.
Pilots with two unnamed companies have begun through Otto’s partnership with Direct Travel, positioning the assistant for deeper adoption in the corporate travel sector. As organizations look for tools that reduce employee stress and improve trip efficiency, Otto offers a streamlined model where AI removes friction from every stage of the travel experience.
The launch marks a significant step forward in merging automation with business travel, setting the stage for a future where planning, booking and problem-resolution happen seamlessly in the background while travelers stay focused on work – not logistics.
