Wednesday, August 20, 2025 — At Travel Tech’s inaugural Start-Up Summit in May, AirHelp CEO Tomasz Pawliszyn shared his company’s journey from a small travel start-up to a global leader in air passenger compensation. AirHelp helps travelers worldwide navigate the complex process of securing financial compensation for delayed or canceled flights.
In a conversation with Travel Tech President & CEO Laura Chadwick, AirHelp CEO Tomasz Pawliszyn shared the journey of scaling AirHelp from a start-up into a global player serving both B2C and B2B markets. Pawliszyn detailed his strategic approach and patience it takes to build B2B partnerships in the travel industry —some deals take years to launch. Rather than going directly to decision-makers, he leveraged industry events to connect with people who can make introductions and share insights.
Pawliszyn stressed the importance of tailoring pitches to each partner’s priorities. For OTAs, the focus is on added revenue and improved customer satisfaction; for travel management companies, it’s about enhancing NPS scores and cutting costs; for insurers, it’s a differentiator for their policies.
Beyond partnerships, Pawliszyn provided insights into his experiences working with regulators in the U.S. and Europe to ensure passenger rights are upheld, as well as advice for those interested in founding a start-up.
“In my view, today is the best time to start any company, especially travel technology start-ups, due to the reduced costs of AI and modern software,” said Pawliszyn. “Resilience and optimism are key. You should find your way and just go for it.”
Learn more about Travel Tech’s Advocate Member Program to gain access to entrepreneurs and advice like this from Tomasz Pawliszyn.
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The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology, including online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.
To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
