I just want to be clear. Hipmunk may be a great service and many people may prefer it, but it has not disrupted the industry. I do not know of anyone who even knows about it outside of people familiar with YC and HN.

Great article, but Hipmunk is the latest in a chain:

Travel agents > Expedia (DISRUPTION!) > Kayak (improvement)> Hipmunk (improvement)

If you had to credit anyone with the disruption, it should go to Expedia or a similar site. Each of the above has improved the customer experience, but aren't truly disruptive.

I can't stand the HipMunk interface. I get its not for me, and am glad they are successful, but HipMunk is not a disruption at all. I agree with you completely.

A disruption is a service like RedBox, a program like Napster, etc... They are rare businesses or actions that come along that almost instantly change the playing field for their market. Usually for such a disruption to occur the industry itself already needs to be having troubles brewing.

I concur. I'm a big fan of Ohanian and what he's trying to do with Hipmunk, but as of now there is no disruption, more like a cult following.

One thing to point out on their efforts is that they managed to work out a deal with AA while AA removed themselves from Orbitz, Expedia, and the lot. I'd consider that progress towards disruption.

And I really hope "hipmunk" doesn't become a verb.