Google Expands AI Push with New Flight Deals Tool
Google continues integrating AI across its services, and its latest move targets travelers looking for budget-friendly options. The company is rolling out Flight Deals, a new AI-powered feature within Google Flights, designed to help users find the cheapest airfare without the hassle of manual searches. The tool is launching in beta in the US, Canada, and India, with plans to refine it based on user feedback.
Unlike traditional flight searches where users input specific dates and destinations, Flight Deals allows travelers to describe their trip intentions using natural language. The AI then processes these prompts, factoring in additional preferences, and surfaces the best available deals. The tool pulls real-time data from Google Flights, ensuring users see the latest prices from multiple airlines and booking platforms.
Google emphasizes that the feature is tailored for flexible travelers whose primary goal is saving money. For example, someone could ask for the cheapest flights to Europe in the next three months, and the AI would generate a list of options without requiring exact dates. Over time, Google plans to enhance the tool, including adding the ability to exclude basic economy fares in the US and Canada.
To access Flight Deals, users can visit the dedicated page or select it from the drop-down menu in Google Flights. While still in beta, the feature represents another step in Google’s broader AI expansion, following recent updates like AI-generated summaries in search and smarter assistant capabilities.
The move could disrupt the online travel industry by making it easier for users to compare prices without navigating multiple websites. However, as with any AI tool, accuracy and relevance will be key to its success. Google will need to ensure the recommendations align closely with user expectations to maintain trust.
For now, Flight Deals remains optional, giving travelers the choice between AI-assisted searches and traditional methods. As Google refines the feature, it may expand to more regions and introduce additional customization options, further streamlining the flight booking process.