Kayak drops support for its Windows Phone travel planning app

By published

If you were a fan of Kayak's mobile app for Windows Phone, it looks as though your days with the app are limited. According to a tip we've received, Kayak is no longer supporting its Windows Phone app.

The news comes via a reader who received the following response from a Kayak support representative when inquiring about an issue with the app:

Thank you for the clarification. Our Mobile Team is no longer supporting this app, so I'm afraid I will not be able to trouble shoot with you.You may want to consider visiting the mobile optimized version of KAYAK from your phone's internet browser (www.KAYAK.com).

Interestingly, the app doesn't currently show up when doing a Store search on Windows 10 Mobile. And while the app does appear when searching from a Windows Phone 8.1 device, the listing indicates it is no longer available for download. The app also still shows up in the Store via a direct link (opens in new tab) on the web.

If you already have the app installed, it does appear to still be at least functional. It's not clear if Kayak will shut down the app entirely in the future, or whether a replacement may eventually make an appearance.

Have you recently had any trouble with the Kayak app on your Windows Phone? Let us know in the comments!

Thanks for the tip, Mark!

Dan Thorp-Lancaster
Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the Editor in Chief for Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl. Got a hot tip? Send it to daniel.thorp-lancaster@futurenet.com.
96 Comments
  • Goodbye Kayak....our little island of apps is getting smaller and smaller... Posted from PornHub.
  • I'm browsing PornHub too why don't I see you
  • Because you are distracted with all of the 'models' on the display... Posted from PornHub.
  • Good riddance. Their app was unusable anyway, and was never updated. They essentially ended support long ago.
  • I have to agree. I *just* travelled using Kayak a few weeks back and for about half of the functionality I needed, I had to hit the website anyway.
  • Works great on iOS
  • Their full website is practically unusable. Great concept, horrible execution.
  • Yes. Good riddance CATFISH... Oh, wait, you're talking about the app. I apologize. Sorry bout dat.
  • Every time I read your foolish "smdh" comments, I wish Dan banned you long ago. Remember when you had to go around apologizing and running from arguments because you got into trouble/notified for making stupid, irrelevant statements? I see you have not learned.
  • Yes, I do remember all of that.. And, what's sad is that I'm still way more respected than you.. Lol. Good point.
  • No, Rodney. You are despised here. People write about you in the forums. That, Rodney, is truly sad.
  • Nice to know that you care enough to mention me there.. Lol. Any more words of encouragement?
  • You, like the broken display in your red 1520 that you replaced with a non oem part is shoddy and not up to the task of recognizing reality. Goodbye.
  • No, it's a white 950.. 1520 is on the shelf... Still the best device ever.. Even with that broken screen it still runs circles around that used Lumia 900 you still use.. Not making enough cash on the hubster?? Lol.
    ......
    I Kidd, I Kidd. The 900 was a fine device.
  • It's all good, FISH! Why don't you lighten up❓❓
  • It's ok. Do you remember T I T A N I C and Ballsak?
  • Those names sound familiar... I probably argued with them about marketing. Lol
  • Twas me. We knew each other well.
  • Lol! Hahahaha❗❗❗❗❗❗❗❗
  • I was thinking that more arrive than go (going by threads on here as reference) so feel you may be incorrect...
  • I think, and it is possible, that we gain at least one popular app for every popular app lost.. That is sustainable as long as the additions are in every category... Nevertheless, we need to do better than break even; we need progress.
  • I'm at a loss as to what to think about this UWP plan now. Every time I think it's working, something like this comes up.
  • The plan was doomed from the start.  Apps only make sense on mobile, and there is no mobile.
  • Obvious byproduct of Nadella and his "retrenching".....
  • Anyone else shorting MS ahead of earnings tonight?  This is gonna be bad... MS needed to go all-in on mobile, but they completely pulled back.  Amazon is eating their lunch in the cloud, Sony is eating their lunch in the living room, and Google is eating everyone's lunch in mobile.  The PC industry is in a well-deserved catastrophic decline (W10 is, quite simply, not good), and I see no way back to relevance for MS.  Even the much-touted "anniversary update" seems to have no features of note.  Can MS do anything right anymore? I have never seen a company as large as MS squander so much so quickly.  Nadella has been nothing short of an epic disaster for them from which I do not think they can recover.
  • Obviously they are behind in mobile, but where you are getting information about decline in other areas? Sources?
  • Are you serious? PS4 is outselling XBone 2-1: http://www.vgchartz.com/ AWS generates more revenue every quarter than Azure does in a year, maybe even in two years: http://www.infoworld.com/article/3092719/cloud-computing/which-cloud-is-... Everyone hates Windows 10 mobile, even longtime stalwarts like me.  (Well, okay, less than one in one hundred still like it): http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/23/11743594/microsoft-windows-phone-marke... And Nadella acts like everything is rainbows.  http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/04/21/microsoft_q3_fy2016_bad/
  • I use apps on my desktopall of the time, and have been since Win 8.
  • I would short MS RIGHT NOW!!! Serious... do it... I bet you make MILLIONS!!
  • Yes, I too consider massive growth across many divisions, increasing profits and earnings, tons of new partnerships and acquisitions, and the stock value being close to the highest it's ever been in the past five years to be the hallmarks of "disaster." /s
  • Glad we didn't listen to you. MSFT After Hours: 55.00 +1.91 (3.60%)  
  • I couldn't agree more with this statement. It's really such a shame. Posted via the Windows Central App for Symbian
  • >The plan was doomed from the start.  Apps only make sense on mobile, and there is no mobile. Agreed. If Microsoft did this when Windows Phone 7 was released, things might of been different but, at this point, there is no other way to look at it besides doomed... And do we hear ANYTHING from Microsoft ? Do they plan on support it (not talking about w10m updates/BUG FIXES) ? How about promotion ? LOL Nothing, just apps fading way and no new support from Microsoft, it only has one way to go...
  • Not really. Apps make a lot of sense on tablets, as Apple itself knows with its iPad, and Windows tablets are here to stay (and the Surface line is doing particularly well -- I see a lot of those around in the University where I work).
  • No, they don't.  Tablets have big enough screens to run "full" Web pages.  Once a screen gets bigger than about 7", the raison d'être for apps basically vansishes.
  • First of all, we don't know if Kayak has stopped supporting this app because they're working on a UWP version.  Secondly, though some apps only make sense on mobile, other apps make sense on both mobile and non-mobile.  Kayak would be one of those.    
  • You bought the lie that mobile app devs want to make apps for PC. No, they dont. They specifically want to make mobile apps. If you're on a PC just use the browser. Only MS believes otherwise. Posted from my Note5
  • Well... the desktop apps are meant for tablets PCs & 2-in-1s which makes more sense.
  • "If you're on a PC, just use the browser". This could, and should, really hold true for mobile too, as 99% of all mobile apps are unnecessary and could easily be replace with a well designed website optimized for mobile. As it stands, though, Apple successfullly convinced everyone that apps are necessary for everything, and, as such, Microsoft really needed to quadruple down on Windows phone back in the fall of 2013 when they were above 5% global market share (and were the #2 mobile OS in more than a dozen markets). If they had, at that point in time, ramped up their marketing for Windows Phone, the platform would be in a solid position right now, probably would've been above  7% globally, and would've been in double-digits in dozens of markets across Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia. Instead, Microsoft threw it all away and now they're down to 1% and likely will never crawl back out of that pitt. It's really a shame.
  • I prefer using apps to mobile web on my phone. That's just my preference though, it's what works best for me.
  • And I prefer using apps on my desktop. See how that works?
  • I do use "Universal Edge App" for a lot of sites that lack a native app. But basic things don't work, like pinning a live tile of the page and being able to know what the page points to. Most of the pinned tiles for mobile pages just show a blue tile with the big "e" logo. If the tile is minimized, there is no way to know what the tile is -- it just looks like a browser tile.
  • for sites like kroger albertsons or safeway I actually prefer their mobile web pages. For the rest apps are ok except when you need to do some heavy lifting.
  • Have you looked at App It?  It gives you a tile specific to the site. 
  • Are we still gonna hope for the rise of Windows 10 Mobile?
  • Always used the web anyway. This was always an example of a poorly made app, hardly the death knell for the platform. That said, certain people have pulled apps only to pop up with a w10 version later on?
  • Only Websites aren't feature rich as a lot of native apps are. Especially if the sites aren't fully mobile friendly. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
  • In some cases yes, in this case, no. The app was awful. along with almost all WP8 apps.
  • >Always used the web anyway. That is an excuse that ONLY a Windows Phone user makes. The missing app, so I always use the web site instead....
  • There wasn't a missing app? It was here, for quite a while, I imagine the downloads versus users told a clear tale of installed, tried and uninstalled, because it was categorically awful.
    Nice troll attempt, no joy tho.
  • Your avatar goes perfect with your statement... Posted from PornHub.
  • I've never heard of Kayak, but it's still sad to see them go.
  • Crap app anyway. Was a half arsed attempt to start with. Still, at least we know the WC app works on Android eh?? ;-) There'd be no doom and gloom if it didn't.
  • Enterprises don't need services like these. Stupid app.
  • Weren't they owned by Microsoft at some point? I actually thought they still were.
  • They do behave as if they were.
  • lol
  • Lmfao Posted via the Windows Central App for Symbian
  • No, but that were exclusive to bing at one point. They are owned by Priceline.
  • For every app gained, one or more is lost.  This is an app i've used on occasion.
  • Just use the website, right? Right?
  • "Never heard of it, useless anyway, blah, blah...."
  • Actually in this case the website sucks too.
  • A good website app goes... and Windows 10 mobile is doing good ? LOL... Sigh, No matter how you look at it, for ever 2 apps that come for Windows Phone, 5 leave or just get abandoned.  Love the OS but, seeing news like this does not give me hope for it growing....UMP would of only worked if Microsoft released it when Windows Phone was released.... Also very poor marketing. Again with Microsoft on some things, a day late and a dime short...
  • Agreed or actually cared and done more during WP8.0 days what a shame. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android (V10 or Nexus 5X)
  • I see the latest trend of older apps leaving the platform only to be announced as future UWP's. Honestly I think kayak will go the expedia way and return as a full fledged UWP in the future, and to all those people saying that apps are rarely used on desktop, I beg to differ. Lots of people enjoy the app experience on windows 10, including myself, MS poweruser, engaget, atlo's adventure, WC, expedia, trip advisor, facebook, messenger, viber, twitter, Pandora, zomato, redbull TV and F1... just some of the amazing apps I use personally on my PC & laptop
  • I love WC's app because the website is AWFUL... Posted from PornHub.
  • Lol yea, I always wondered why Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
  • Because it's infested with advertisements. My work computer cannot load the front page 90% of the time.
  • Oh, I see. I can understand why they show so many ads though. Since it's a free site. They probably use that generated revenue to help maintain their apps and services. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
  • Probably will be replaced by MS's revolutionary and extremely popular bot framework soon!  
  • I used a few, but prefer Sky Scanner and AirTravel.
  • This app was preinstalled on my Lumia 640xl (also on Note 5) ..... I might have used once or twice, maybe!. No loss for me but sad for those you were using the app.
  • I don't see the app in the store on my Lumia 1020 w/ WP8.1...
  • How is this news? Companies all over the world are pulling their windows apps as MS is retrenching. MS reap what they sow. In my part of the world 99,9% of the apps are not available for windows mobile. This used to be 99% until MS did their retrenching communication trick, giving most users, developers and press the idea they were abandoning mobile altogether. This together with the release of the bug ridden 950 and 950xl pretty much put windows mobile 4 years back. I'm hesitant about getting the new HP as I don't trust MS, they could just as easily pull the plug on mobile tomorrow. After all if you see how they handled the takeover of nokia and skype and how much money they threw down the drain there, abandoning mobile would be small fries for them.
  • Hmm Folks the  Big trend now is for Businesses and Devlopers to make and support "ONE" good "Microsoft Universal App" because folks if you make a proper Microsoft Universal App it will run on All devices running the Full Windows 10 operating system or running The Windows 10 mobile operating system used on some current and future Windows 10 mobile smart phoes like the Rumored "Surface" smartphone. Folks it's a make one do em all app.Be prepaired to see more Businesses drop their OLD Windows smart phone and Desktop pc apps and replacing them with Microsoft "Universal" Apps
  • Soon microsoft will drop their own support for mobile as windows 8, 8.1 are stopped supporting soon time is coming for windows10 mbl..
  • People who say some bussinesses & developers will not make Microsoft Mobile Apps donot realized that a Microsoft "Universal Apps if done correctly runs on all Windows 10 and Windows 10 mobile devices. besides there are the Surface tablets /Laptop hybrids and the other Windows 10 tablets/devices made by Microsoft's OEM partners.that require touch screen apps for their Tablet mode operations. The MS "Universal App" solves that probelem because they run on a desktop PC, Laptop server, tpouch screen tablet or on a Microsoft Windows 10 mobile smart phone. ONE good MS Universal app works on all current Microsoft windows 10 device or windows 10 mobile devices
  • But they only run on Windows 10. Windows 7 and Windows 8 cannot use the apps and Windows Mobile is irrelevant due to the complete lack of sales. It makes more sense for a developer to create a website that can be accessed by all Windows machines as well as Macs and Chromebooks. If a website doesn't work for them, then x86 still makes more sense than UWP. You don't have to pay Microsoft and your app is available on all Windows PCs, not just Windows 10. This more than doubled your possible user base. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
  • And another one bites the dust.....damn that's alot this day/week/month/year.......
  • Kayak blows anyways... Posted via the Windows Central App for Android.. But waiting for the HP Elite so I can get rid of this junkie Galaxy S5...
  • That is what happens when a platform is irrelevant and developers have no reason to update or improve their apps. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
  • i agree the one app for all devices is the way forward, think this was the plan for 8 and I think 8 worked smoother even with the lack of apps, facebook new app is too slow to open and still doesn't sync to contacts like it did in 8 so I use the web page now instead even on mobile, all the work they have put into 10 has given use a nice setting app and in normal use how often would you use this
  • Windows mobile is quite Spartan, it does what I need it to do for the most part.
  • Nice C7 bro Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
  • It's an interesting situation with Windows 10 Mobile. It's actually a very functional Mobile operating system which will no doubt benefit at some stage from universal apps. Microsoft certainly dominate the desktop and have strong presence in the tablet and console market. Small app developers don't have the luxury or resources to properly develop for all platforms hence removing an already dated app from the store. Microsoft's challenge is to assist any and all developers so as to get the same core app exposure for their platform. In this they have failed miserably. Their hardware is fine and their operating system is great.
  • The app never really worked for me. So from my POV they went from not supporting WP to not supporting WP.. And I continue to not support Kayak. Nothing has changed.
  • Have recently had any trouble with Kayak. Yes indeed, prices are way to high compared to other apps (even for the same company)
  • Maybe if ALL the WP fans download every app in the catalog to their phones, and PC, developers will see interest, and stay...
    ....
    Unfortunately, nobody is gonna do that.
  • Haha nope but I'll try anyway have to switch on my WPs I put away. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android (V10 or Nexus 5X)
  • That's why they leave.. Because we don't use their apps... And, that's normal, because we can't use every app. That's why those guys who say market share doesn't matter are full off doo-doo to their ears.
  • And it comes back to the same thing an editor said on this site. Most people don't use the plethora of apps in any store at all. And most people don't use them regularly. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
  • Just booked a trip using my Kayak app.  oh wait,  that was on my iphone.  Que the "another one bites the dust" music!  Thank you Freddy,  that song is getting a workout here!  From apps,  to features, to phones,  that song plays here quite regularly.  I think Brian May and the boys should look to MS for royalties from it.
  • maybe they're stopping the service and the windows phone. Maybe just maybe KAYAK and Amazon are preparing a UWP app built from the ground and converted from their website and turned into an app and adding the Windows 10 design language after the Anniversary Update. After 2nd August I'm pretty sure that we'll receive many updates and news about new app, other comebacks and more updates.
  • Its OK, I will use expedia!
  • Expedia just annouced its' ending Windows support too!