Quantcast

Google discusses new features coming soon for Google Flights searches

Air Canada could begin suspending flights soon as strike deadline nears
JetBlue's new ticket policy entitles every passenger to a carry-on bag
Why United Airlines’ CEO makes as few decisions as possible
American invests in the future of aviation maintenance with new jobs, additional work
DOT probe seeks to determine if frequent flyer programs are fair to travelers
American Airlines flight diverted after passenger starts vaping
Russian Airline Wants $100 Million From Canada for Seizing Its Giant Cargo Plane
Here's where American Airlines is adding flights to Europe in summer 2025
Major airline grounds Airbus A350 fleet, citing faulty engine component
Airline CEO wants airports to cap passengers at 2 alcoholic drinks to limit on-board disruptions
Regulator cuts Malaysia Airlines' air operator certificate duration after probe
United Airlines flight attendants are prepared to strike. Here's why it's still unlikely.
2 workers killed, 1 injured in tire explosion at a Delta Air Lines shop in Atlanta
Emirates Will Buy 5 Airbus A380s From Lessor For $200 Million
Delta Air Lines named official airline of the WNBA
Pair Of C-Suite Officials Depart Wheels Up
LAX Receives Final Cars for People Mover Train
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines merger clears Justice Department hurdle, now faces DOT
Alaska Airlines flight attendants reject new contract, union says there's 'more work to do'
Elliott Investment To Push For 10 New Boardroom Directors At Southwest Airlines
Alaska Air Backs JetZero Blended-Wing Design
AI in Aviation Line Maintenance: A Strategic Response to Delays, Satisfaction, and Staffing Challenges
Air taxi service plans for 2026 Los Angeles launch at USC, SoFi and LAX
VistaJet Flight Brings Home Americans in Prisoner Swap
Air Canada Blames Paris Olympics On Decreased Profits
Delta passengers sue airline over refund refusals after CrowdStrike meltdown
Microsoft fires back at Delta after massive outage, says airline declined ‘repeated’ offers for help
Korean Air Confirms A Spacious Lounge Is Coming To The New Terminal One at New York JFK
VAS Aero Services to Acquire an Additional 17 Airbus A320 Airframes, Bringing to 23 the Total Number of A320s Slated for Teardown and Harvested Parts Redistribution
Delta CEO says CrowdStrike-Microsoft outage cost the airline $500 million
Google discusses new features coming soon for Google Flights searches
Research
Webp 4y3c2uk5jzblrqgbj84fllpqqnpc
Clint Henderson Managing editor | The Points Guy

Google Flights continues to expand its offerings, according to a recent discussion between The Points Guy and James Byers, group product manager for travel at Google. Byers highlighted several tools available through Google Flights and addressed common myths about booking air travel.

One of the features discussed was Google Flights Explore. "You can search without a destination in Google Flights and see a whole range of possibilities on a map and then continue on to filter them," said Byers. "[You can] look at trip length and budget and kind of find that trip you might not have expected, and, in fact, the majority of our users are destination flexible." He added, "Explore really scratches that itch when users are trying to figure out where to go next."

Byers also pointed out that many users overlook tools such as the date grid and price graph within Google Flights. "So when you're looking for when to fly and you want to see what leaving a day earlier or a day later might do for you, the date grid is a great option to kind of visualize what those small changes might make," he explained. "The price graph lets you look across a whole range of dates for a same duration trip, and see how prices fluctuate over time."

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The ability to search multiple origins and destinations simultaneously was cited as another useful feature. Byers described how travelers can input different departure cities—such as New York or Philadelphia—and compare options with multiple destinations like Rome or Milan: "You could put in both [New York and Philadelphia], and then choose Milan and Rome as your destination[s], and see all the combinations filtered by best [to] see what might work for you."

Notifications are another area where Google has invested significantly. According to Byers: "Knowing ... when the right time is to book, setting a notification and letting us ... tell you as prices change lets you hone in with confidence on that great-price ticket," he said.

Addressing reports that some users now have the ability to filter out basic economy fares from their searches on Google Flights, Byers commented: "Well, it's something we've been experimenting with for a while. We think there's a real continued need to invest in the fundamentals of finding flights. You'll see that with features potentially like basic economy in the future, and best versus cheapest, [which] we launched recently." He noted there is no official announcement yet but promised The Points Guy would be among the first informed if broader changes occur.

The conversation also included clarification around flight-booking myths—specifically whether booking flights on certain days yields better deals. According to Byers: "Our data shows that not really, there is a little tiny bit of an advantage... It's about 1.3% cheaper over time to book on a Tuesday versus Sunday, which is the most expensive day. But you know it's a very, very small effect; 1.3% is probably not gonna swing it for a lot of consumers." He advised instead focusing on seasonal trends and recommended booking domestic flights one to three months ahead or international trips three to five months in advance—a view consistent with industry guidance.

Another myth tackled was whether clearing browser cookies leads to better airfare prices online. Byers stated: "For Google Flights... it's false. We show the same price across all of our users within a particular country." He added that while airlines may vary pricing based on country or point-of-sale data, Google's platform does not influence these differences within individual markets.

Looking ahead into late 2025 and beyond, Byers noted increased interest in solo travel as well as growing curiosity about artificial intelligence's role in booking trips—though he believes many consumers still prefer seeking deals themselves.

"Users really love finding deals," said Byers. He observed an uptick in demand for travel hacks recently—a topic frequently covered by The Points Guy—and emphasized flexibility as key both for securing lower fares and maximizing points-and-miles strategies.

Both parties agreed flexibility remains essential for travelers hoping to optimize their savings going forward.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Yesterday, a Turkish Airlines Boeing 777-300ER was evacuated at Antalya Airport after smoke was seen coming from its landing gear while taxiing.

Aug 5, 2025

Alaska Airlines has announced the addition of seven new routes across 12 cities in California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

Aug 5, 2025

Ramp is offering a platform aimed at streamlining expense management for U.S.-based businesses with strong cash flow.

Aug 5, 2025

The Boeing E-7 Wedgetail has been identified as the primary replacement for the aging Boeing E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, though its future with the United States Air Force (USAF) remains uncertain.

Aug 5, 2025

Riyadh Air is preparing to launch daily flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow starting October 26, 2025.

Aug 5, 2025

World of Hyatt has announced a new promotion offering guests a 15% bonus on points earned for stays at Under Canvas locations across the United States.

Aug 5, 2025