In a move aimed at streamlining its organizational structure and boosting agility, Expedia Group is undertaking significant layoffs while simultaneously announcing hundreds of new roles. The online travel giant has revealed plans to eliminate certain longstanding positions, even as it gears up to hire over 250 new employees across various departments.
Sources indicate that the layoffs are set to commence on April 1, 2026, and are expected to continue through April 19. Reports suggest that approximately 162 employees in the Seattle area will be affected, with roles including data engineers, content designers, product managers, program managers, and software developers potentially impacted. Some vice president-level roles are also reportedly part of the restructuring.
While Expedia has not disclosed the exact number of employees affected overall or the specific divisions impacted, social media posts from affected staff reveal that some employees with decade-long tenures have been let go unexpectedly. This follows a similar workforce reduction in February 2024, when the company cut about 1,500 jobs—roughly nine percent of its staff—aimed at operational streamlining.
A spokesperson for Expedia confirmed to Business Insider that the company is “eliminating certain roles” while creating new opportunities, emphasizing its goal to “remain disciplined about assessing the skills we need for the future.” The company also highlighted efforts to simplify its structure and reduce organizational layers to enhance speed and accountability. “These are not easy decisions,” the spokesperson added, expressing gratitude to employees impacted by the layoffs.
Despite the layoffs, Expedia is actively hiring, with over 250 new roles currently open, reflecting the company’s focus on growth and transformation within the travel sector.
The news comes amid a broader wave of layoffs across major corporations in early 2026. Over 100 companies, including Amazon, Nike, and Verizon, have filed WARN notices regarding upcoming job cuts, driven in part by the accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence. According to a World Economic Forum survey, nearly 41% of companies worldwide anticipate workforce reductions over the next five years as AI and automation reshape industries, with some roles in big data, fintech, and AI expected to double by 2030.
Other notable layoffs in early 2026 include Angi, which announced the elimination of approximately 350 jobs to improve efficiency through AI-driven initiatives; Citibank, planning to cut 10% of its workforce—around 20,000 employees—and job losses at T-Mobile and various other firms.
As the travel and tech industries navigate this period of rapid transformation, Expedia’s restructuring underscores a broader trend of companies balancing cost-cutting with strategic growth in an increasingly automated world.
