Expedia is bringing ease and convenience to consumers with its first-ever iPhone application targeting modern travelers.

The TripAssist application lets consumers research flights, destinations, hotels and manage and update their itineraries. The application also provides SMS and email updates free of charge.

?The strategy behind TripAssist is to give travelers a tool to help them manage their travel from any point ? at home, on the road, or anywhere in between,? said Adam Anderson, director of public relations at Expedia, Bellevue, WA.

?TripAssist is designed to serve as a companion to the modern traveler,? he said. "It allows them to research travel plans ? flights, regions, hotels, cars and more ? using their mobile phone.

?TripAssist is meant to simplify and improve the travel process for the millions of travelers who rely on Expedia.?

Expedia.com is an online travel site where consumers can plan and book their trips.

On-the-go information
Travelers who have booked their flights, can sync their itineraries from their Expedia.com account or create and add a new itinerary if they are booked elsewhere.

Additionally, the application will automatically provide easy access to a consumer?s hotel information. Expedia.com customer service support is also accessible with a single click.

Expedia has optimized its site for other mobile browsers including BlackBerry, Android and Windows phones. The company claims that users will be able to shop and book via a stripped-down, easy-to-navigate interface perfect for small screens and phone-based Web browsers.

Users will be able to shop and book via a convenient stripped-down, easy-to-navigate interface perfect for small screens and phone-based Web browsers.

?Regarding marketing support, Expedia will primarily leverage our social communities using tweets, posts and video production specifically geared towards the web, as well as outreach to the blogosphere,? Mr. Anderson said.

?Expedia.com is a tremendous media property in its own right, so Expedia will utilize ad space on the site in addition to reaching out to our existing mobile user and email database,? he said.

Flight status
Within 24 hours of their trip, a screen will appear on the mobile device and show the traveler where they need to be, including their current arrival and departure times.

Travelers can also access their flight details, including a seat map, flight alerts and check if there are alternate flights.

Consumers who are picking someone up at the airport get updates via SMS or email, for their flight or any flight, whether it was booked on Expedia or someplace else.

The company claims that approximately 55,000 trips were booked via smartphone browsers using its site in 2009. They also expect to the number to grow with the mobile-optimized Web interface.

?TripAssist should serve as a valuable tool for any modern travelers. In particular, TripAssist was designed to assist frequent leisure travelers and unmanaged business travelers," Mr. Anderson said.

?By unmanaged, we are referring to business travelers who primarily work for small- and mid-sized businesses, who do not have access to a corporate travel department,? he said. 

?Travel can be a complex endeavor, so TripAssist was developed to simplify the process for travelers on the go.