The biggest airlines are behind on updating their tech systems and operations; regional airlines are even further behind.

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One big theme for travel startups this week is regional air travel.

Three companies raised money toward their efforts to modernize various aspects of the industry, from software to aircraft themselves.

The biggest airlines are behind on updating their tech systems and operations; Regional airlines are even further behind. Like the rest of the flying taxi startups, one such company on the list seeks to create a new type of commercial travel.

Over the last week, six travel startups announced fundraises totaling more than $100 million.

Expliseat: $42.1 Million

Expliseat, which develops and manufactures lightweight seats for commercial aircraft, has raised $42.1 million (€36 million).

Crédit Mutuel Innovation led the round, with support from the SPI fund (managed by public sector investment bank Bpifrance for the French government), Supernova Invest, Swen Capital, BNP Paribas Développement, GO Capital, and NCI.

France-based Expliseat says it has invested heavily in research and development for lightweight seats, securing more than 100 patents. The company says that its flagship product, the TiSeat 2, weighs 30% less than traditional seats.

The company says it has orders totaling $58.5 million (€50 million). Clients include Air France, Air Canada, and Jazeera Airways.

Expliseat has a new facility in France that it says can produce 32,000 units annually.

And it recently opened an office in Montreal as it seeks to expand business in the North American aviation market.

The funding will go toward business expansion, along with continued R&D for the next generation of its products. The company also plans to move into rail and electric buses.

Surf Air Mobility: $27 Million

Surf Air Mobility, an airline owner that is also developing tech for regional airlines, has raised $27 million in a registered direct offering of common stock.

The company sold roughly 10.8 million shares of common stock for $2.50 each.

Surf Air Mobility’s regional airline software includes products for operations efficiency, sales and sourcing customers, and aircraft utilization.

The company owns two regional airlines — Southern Airways Express and Hawaii’s Mokulele Airlines — as well as Surf Air, a website for booking private charter flights.

Surf Air is also working to commercialize electric and hybrid-electric powertrains for regional aircrafts, including for the Cessna Caravan.

Founded in 2020, Surf Air Mobility acquired the airlines as part of its debut on the stock market through a direct listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 2023.

The funding will go toward operations and paying down debt.

XTI Aerospace: $16 Million

XTI Aerospace, which is developing a flying taxi for long distances, has raised $16 million.

The funds come from an underwritten public offering of stock and warrants, priced at $1.75 each.

Colorado-based XTI Aerospace is developing a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft called ​​TriFan 600. It is designed to travel up to 1,000 miles at speeds of up to 300 miles per hour, and can carry a pilot and six passengers. The two turboshaft engines are designed to be fully compatible with renewable jet fuels, with future plans for electric engines.

The company plans to primarily target the business and commercial travel industries, along with the ambulance industry.

XTI Aerospace says it has 700 pre-orders for $10 million per aircraft.

XTI Aerospace went public in March 2024 following a merger with Inpixon, which provides location tracking devices that factories can use to monitor equipment and inventory. Inpixon had gone public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company in 2023.

Chatlyn: $9.4 Million

Chatlyn, which provides AI-powered guest management tech for hoteliers, has raised $9.4 million (€8 million) in a series A round.

Smedvig Ventures led the round, with support from bus company Blaguss, individual investors Andreas Burike (AnyDesk founder) and Mathias Hiebeler (former owner of Grob aircraft, acquired by Helsing), and a group of angel investors.

Vienna-based Chatlyn says its tech helps automate hotel operations, including front desk, reservations, marketing, guest services, and guest communication. Features include a public-facing AI assistant for booking, an AI chatbot for hotel guests, translation for more than 35 languages, and more.

The startup says its tech is live in more than 1,000 properties, including St. Regis Mauritius, Singer Palace Rome, and InterContinental properties.

The funding will go toward product development, geographic expansion, and hiring.

StayVista: $4.7 Million

StayVista, a property manager and booking site for luxury vacation rentals in India, has raised $4.7 million (400 million Indian rupees) in series B funding.

JSW Ventures led the round, with support from DSG Consumer Partners and Capri Global Family Office.

Mumbai-based StayVista says it manages 1,000 properties and has hosted more than 1 million guests.

The funding will go toward expansion into new cities, hiring, and improving customer experience.

Winalist: $1.2 Million

Winalist, an online marketplace for booking ticketed experiences related to wine and spirits, has raised $1.2 million (€1 million) in seed funding.

Investors included Plug and Play Ventures, Portugal Ventures, and Vessoa Private Equity.

France-based Winalist says it partners with more than 1,700 operators in 10 countries. Users can book winery visits, tastings, private wine-pairing dinners, vineyard day-tours, and more.

The funding will go toward opening a new branch in Porto, Portugal, as well as hiring, marketing, and increasing operational support for partners.