Quantcast

Google discusses new features coming soon for Google Flights searches

US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
These Frequent Fliers Are Done With Loyalty Programs
JetBlue accepting Venmo as payment method for flights purchased through mobile app
United Airlines stock rallies on results, as growing demand wasn’t just about premium seats
Delta Adds Another Alaska Route
Southwest to Reduce Pilot Head Count at Several Bases
Dublin Airport savings boost for holidaymakers – but passengers need to be quick
American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager
Indigo Eyes European Market Amid Intensifying Competition with Air India
Air India to operate daily Delhi-Prayagraj flights for Maha Kumbh
Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
Turkish Airlines’ flights are riddled with bedbugs, passengers say
British Airways frequent flyers react to Executive Club changes
Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
China steps up drive to break Boeing, Airbus grip on plane market
Heathrow’s New York service clings to spot in top aviation routes
Airline praises pilots in crash-landing where both died but nearly half the passengers survived
Mexico state airline to buy five Embraer planes next year
A record number of people are expected to fly over the holidays. That's good for travel stocks, but not for passengers.
American Airlines technical issue sparks travel chaos on Christmas Eve as flights heavily delayed after being grounded
Why United Airlines has had such a stellar year despite being Boeing's biggest customer
JetBlue nixing routes between multiple major cities, reducing several others
Airline Stocks Led The Travel Industry's Record 2024 Rally. Here's What's Next.
It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel
Qatar Airways cleans up at the World Travel Awards
All of the strikes at European airports this winter – find out if you are affected
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

Hainan Airlines announced on X that it is offering rewards to eligible inbound passengers who book accommodations through designated Marriott channels from September 15 to December 31, 2025.

Oct 24, 2025

Japan Airlines has announced via the social media platform X that its partner, Malaysia Airlines, will introduce the Airbus A330neo on the Tokyo (Narita)–Kuala Lumpur route.

Oct 24, 2025

Allegiant Air recently highlighted a couple whose long-distance relationship between Lexington, Kentucky, and St. Pete, Florida, was sustained through the airline's flights.

Oct 24, 2025

MOST, an aviation technology firm, has announced on LinkedIn that it releases new features for its onboard retail and payment platform every two weeks, providing automatic updates at no extra cost.

Oct 24, 2025

Amazon Air announced on Instagram that its Women Air group hosted a wellness event at the KSBD facility in celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness.

Oct 24, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines announced on X that it has reinsaid flights to Port Sudan, with daily service starting on October 15, 2025, and increasing to two daily flights on November 1, 2025.

Oct 24, 2025