Long Lake acquires Amex GBT for $6.3B to boost AI in business travel services

Long Lake is set to acquire American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) for $6.3 billion, turning it into a private company enhanced with advanced AI capabilities. The deal, expected to close in the second half of 2026, aims to combine Long Lake's AI technology with Amex GBT's travel platform, customer base, and technology solutions to improve business travel experiences. The acquisition is supported by investors like General Catalyst and Alpha Wave, and American Express will sell its 30% stake, expecting about $1.5 billion from the sale. This move highlights the growing role of AI in transforming the travel industry by enabling faster bookings and better customer service.