Jeffrey Katz

Jeffrey Katz is a prominent figure in the travel and e-commerce industries with an extensive background in leadership roles at major travel companies. Here are some key details about his career and recent ventures:

Career Highlights

Jeffrey Katz has held several high-profile executive positions in the travel industry, including:

Founding Chairman and CEO of Orbitz
CEO of Swissair
President of Sabre (global distribution system)
Executive at American Airlines for 17 years

Journera

In 2016, Katz founded Journera, a travel data analytics and journey management platform.1 As CEO, he aimed to create a "connected trip" experience by leveraging big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to improve the traveler's journey across different travel brands.1 2

Unfortunately, Katz recently announced the shutdown of Journera in February 2024, after seven years of operation.1 Despite raising about $36 million from investors and partnering with major travel brands like United Airlines, American Airlines, Hilton, and Marriott International, the company was unable to reach profitability.2

Education and Other Ventures

Katz holds degrees from prestigious institutions:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Stanford University
University of California

He is also a co-founder of OpenMinds, an organization that brings together leaders to address climate and energy challenges.3

Industry Perspective

Katz is known for his forward-thinking approach to travel technology. He has been a frequent speaker at industry conferences and has shared insights on the evolution of leadership styles in the travel sector.4 Despite the setback with Journera, Katz remains a respected voice in the industry, with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in creating more seamless, data-driven travel experiences.