Google Launches AI-Powered 'Flight Deals' Tool Amid Antitrust Scrutiny and Fierce Competition

Google pushes AI into flight deals as antitrust scrutiny, competition heat up | TechCrunch

Google on Thursday announced a new AI-powered search tool to help travelers find flight deals -- even as regulators continue to question whether the search giant's dominance in travel discovery stifles competition. Called Flight Deals, the new tool is available within Google Flights and is designed to help "flexible travelers" find cheaper fares. Users can type natural language queries into a search bar -- describing how and when they want to travel -- and the AI surfaces matching options. These queries can be like "week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop only" or "10-day ski trip to a world-class resort with fresh powder," Google said in a blog post. The tool uses its AI models to understand the nuances of what users are looking for and then goes through live Google Flights data to show relevant results, the company said. Regulators, including the European Commission, are currently investigating how Google may be favoring its own search products -- including Google Flights -- in ways that harm competition. EU regulators are eyeing Google for enforcement under the Digital Markets Act, aiming to rein in the power of major tech platforms. In response, the Alphabet-owned unit is reportedly planning to propose changes to appease regulators, including the addition of a price-comparison box in search results. Initially, Google has brought Flight Deals in beta, with plans to roll it out in the U.S., Canada, and India over the next week. The company said the goal of the beta release is "to gather feedback and explore how AI can improve travel planning." Google did not immediately respond to questions about which Gemini models power the tool, what data sources are used, or what privacy safeguards are in place. The move is part of a broader experiment as Google looks to compete with OpenAI, Anthropic, Perplexity, and other major AI players by integrating generative AI into travel search. Competitors like Booking.com, Expedia, and Indian travel aggregator MakeMyTrip have already rolled out their own AI integrations to streamline trip planning. In that sense, Google is arriving a bit late. But with its scale and reach, the company could still pose a serious challenge -- if the tool proves effective and gains traction. Nonetheless, the classic Google Flights interface will continue to exist. The original flight search tool, launched in 2011, is even getting an update with an option to exclude basic economy fares for trips within the U.S. and Canada.

Google's New AI Flight Deals Tool Works, but Only if You're an 'Anywhere, Anytime' Traveler

Macy has been working for CNET for coming on 2 years. Prior to CNET, Macy received a North Carolina College Media Association award in sports writing. When Google announces a new travel feature, my inner explorer perks up. So Thursday morning, when it announced the launch next week of Flight Deals, an AI-powered tool designed to help flexible travelers find cheap airfare, I grabbed my laptop and dove in to test it out after being granted early access (especially since I'm going to have a travel-heavy end to 2025). The pitch is enticing: Just tell Google what kind of trip you're looking for and its AI will sniff out deals that fit. In theory, it's perfect for people who don't care whether their winter getaway is in Aruba or the Canary Islands, as long as it's sunny and the price is right. But I wanted to know if it would work just as well for people who, you know, have some idea of when and where they want to go? Or is it aimed squarely at the flexible crowd? I spent hours testing it with all kinds of prompts, from laser-specific requests to free-spirited "just take me anywhere" queries. The result? It works if you're cool with being super vague. For more stories on travel and AI, I've also written about how to book cheap airfare on Google Flights, how to save money on airfare and if AI can help you travel more sustainably. I am well aware that Google's Flight Deals feature is intended for "flexible" travelers. Still, I started with the kind of queries a normal traveler might type in -- specific dates, cities and budgets. That's where things were... finicky. From there, I tried to be more flexible with my dates and the airports. After still not getting great results, I decided to be more flexible with dates and only be specific on price, since Google said this feature is really for travelers "whose number one goal is saving money on their next trip." So far, Flight Deals wasn't exactly making the flight-finding process easier. That's when I decided to loosen up my criteria. It became clear that the feature is a bit hit or miss -- the more vague my prompt, the better the results. I also noticed that Flight Deals seems to need specific language for better results. Prompts 4 through 6 are essentially the same, but with different language. When I typed, "5-day-long trip in winter 2026 to a warm and tropical destination. Nonstop flights only," I received no results. But when I typed, "A week-long trip during the winter to a warm and tropical destination. Nonstop flights only," I received six deals from Tampa for a seven-day trip departing between Dec. 1 and Feb. 28. In short, you might need to mess around with your word choice to actually get results. For comparison, I took several of the same prompts to Google Flights' AI mode, a feature that's been around for a bit and can answer travel questions with a chat-like interface. Here's where things got interesting since the AI mode handled specifics far better. It found options that fit my actual parameters and offered helpful context and links to booking sources. Flight Deals is positioned as the fun, exploratory option, but it requires a level of flexibility that even the most, well, flexible travelers don't often have. If you truly have no plan? This is great for ideation. For anyone who already knows their destination or dates? Google's regular Flights search will be your best bet. After hours of poking at Flight Deals, I can say this: It's not a revolutionary travel tool. It's basically Google Flights with a "choose your own adventure" coat of paint... and one that gives you a blank stare if you start asking for too many specifics. If you're the kind of traveler who says, "anywhere warm in February works for me" and is willing to leave the details to fate (or Google in this case), you might love it. But if you've got a wedding to attend, school break dates to work around or a preference for afternoon departures over 6 a.m. starts, you're probably better off with the standard Google Flights search. Think of Flight Deals like that one spontaneous friend who texts you, "Pack a bag, we're going somewhere!" They won't tell you where, though, and you might just end up in the Bahamas... or Buffalo. Sometimes that's exciting, but more often than not, you'll know when and where you're headed when you think about booking flights. And this tool just isn't for that purpose. In case you want to test out Google Flights' new AI search tool yourself when it rolls out over the next week (no specific date set), here's how to get started:

Describe your dream vacation, and Google Flights will now find affordable options - see how it works

Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers. On Thursday, the company announced Flight Deals, a new AI-powered feature within Google Flights that allows you to describe travel ideas conversationally and surfaces relevant flight options from multiple airlines and booking sites. Also: The 7 gadgets I never travel without (and why they make such a big difference) The Skyscanner-like search feature will be rolled out in beta over the next week across the US, Canada, and India, with no opt-in required. It can be accessed here or via the menu at the top-left corner of the Google Flights homepage. As of Thursday morning, it was not available. Google is marketing the new search tool to travelers who are willing to take a more indirect route to their final destination, as long as they can find the most affordable flight option. "Flight Deals is designed for flexible travelers whose number one goal is saving money on their next trip," the company wrote in a blog post. "Instead of playing with different dates, destinations, and filters to uncover the best deals, you can just describe when, where, and how you'd like to travel -- as though you're talking to a friend -- and Flight Deals will take care of the rest." Also: This AI travel agent can plan your next trip's entire itinerary - for free You don't even need to provide specific details. For example, say you want to plan an affordable ski trip (admittedly a bit of an oxymoron) but aren't sure where, exactly, you'd like to go. Then, as Google writes in its blog post, you can just feed Flight Deals the prompt, "10-day ski trip to a world-class resort with fresh powder," and the system will match that description with bargain flights to locations that may not even have crossed your mind. Flight Deals can "understand the nuances of what you're looking for and identify matching destinations," according to the company. The feature is being debuted at a time when Google -- along with most other major tech developers -- is working to infuse its latest AI systems across the full suite of its product offerings. Last week, for example, Google Finance received its own chatbot. Meanwhile, other travel platforms like Airial Travel are adopting a strategy similar to that behind Google's Flight Deals, leveraging generative AI to make the process of travel-planning process more intuitive and frictionless.

Describe your dream trip and Google's new AI tool will find flight deals for you now

Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers. On Thursday, the company announced Flight Deals, a new AI-powered feature within Google Flights that allows you to describe travel ideas conversationally and surfaces relevant flight options from multiple airlines and booking sites. Also: The 7 gadgets I never travel without (and why they make such a big difference) The Skyscanner-like search feature will be rolled out in beta over the next week across the US, Canada, and India, with no opt-in required. It can be accessed here or via the menu at the top-left corner of the Google Flights homepage. As of Thursday morning, it was not available. Google is marketing the new search tool to travelers who are willing to take a more indirect route to their final destination, as long as they can find the most affordable flight option. "Flight Deals is designed for flexible travelers whose number one goal is saving money on their next trip," the company wrote in a blog post. "Instead of playing with different dates, destinations, and filters to uncover the best deals, you can just describe when, where, and how you'd like to travel -- as though you're talking to a friend -- and Flight Deals will take care of the rest." Also: This AI travel agent can plan your next trip's entire itinerary - for free You don't even need to provide specific details. For example, say you want to plan an affordable ski trip (admittedly a bit of an oxymoron) but aren't sure where, exactly, you'd like to go. Then, as Google writes in its blog post, you can just feed Flight Deals the prompt, "10-day ski trip to a world-class resort with fresh powder," and the system will match that description with bargain flights to locations that may not even have crossed your mind. Flight Deals can "understand the nuances of what you're looking for and identify matching destinations," according to the company. The feature is being debuted at a time when Google -- along with most other major tech developers -- is working to infuse its latest AI systems across the full suite of its product offerings. Last week, for example, Google Finance received its own chatbot. Meanwhile, other travel platforms like Airial Travel are adopting a strategy similar to that behind Google's Flight Deals, leveraging generative AI to make the process of travel-planning process more intuitive and frictionless.

Google Flights can help you book a trip when you don't know where to go

It seems like Google is looking for a way to put AI into everything these days, and now its efforts have reached its airfare-booking service, Flights. On Thursday, Google announced that it's testing a new AI-powered Flight Deals tool, which could come in handy if you're planning a trip on a budget but aren't quite sure where you want to go yet. Instead of just entering your preferred airport and destination, Flight Deals takes a more open-ended approach. You can describe the kind of place you'd like to visit, and even get specific about how long you want to sit on a plane and what activities you'd like to do once you get there. Google will then use AI to come up with cheap flights that match your preferences. For example, you can search for "a weekend countryside getaway with trail rides and kayaking" or a "trip to Europe with great cheese and wine in May," and see what pops up.

Tell Google's new AI tool about your travel needs and it'll find flight deals for you now

On Thursday, the company announced Flight Deals, a new AI-powered feature within Google Flights that allows you to describe travel ideas conversationally and surfaces relevant flight options from multiple airlines and booking sites. Also: The 7 gadgets I never travel without (and why they make such a big difference) The Skyscanner-like search feature will be rolled out in beta over the next week across the US, Canada, and India, with no opt-in required. It can be accessed here or via the menu at the top-left corner of the Google Flights homepage. As of Thursday morning, it was not available. Google is marketing the new search tool to travelers who are willing to take a more indirect route to their final destination, as long as they can find the most affordable flight option. "Flight Deals is designed for flexible travelers whose number one goal is saving money on their next trip," the company wrote in a blog post. "Instead of playing with different dates, destinations, and filters to uncover the best deals, you can just describe when, where, and how you'd like to travel -- as though you're talking to a friend -- and Flight Deals will take care of the rest." Also: This AI travel agent can plan your next trip's entire itinerary - for free You don't even need to provide specific details. For example, say you want to plan an affordable ski trip (admittedly a bit of an oxymoron) but aren't sure where, exactly, you'd like to go. Then, as Google writes in its blog post, you can just feed Flight Deals the prompt, "10-day ski trip to a world-class resort with fresh powder," and the system will match that description with bargain flights to locations that may not even have crossed your mind. Flight Deals can "understand the nuances of what you're looking for and identify matching destinations," according to the company. The feature is being debuted at a time when Google -- along with most other major tech developers -- is working to infuse its latest AI systems across the full suite of its product offerings. Last week, for example, Google Finance received its own chatbot. Meanwhile, other travel platforms like Airial Travel are adopting a strategy similar to that behind Google's Flight Deals, leveraging generative AI to make the process of travel-planning process more intuitive and frictionless.

Flight Deals is Google's new, AI-powered travel search tool

The tool is currently in beta and Google says it will improve over time. The AI-ification of seemingly knows no bounds, and now it wants you to turn to AI for booking flights, too. Rolling out in the US, Canada and India over the next week, lives within Google Flights, and is designed for "flexible travelers whose number one goal is saving money on their next trip." Rather than going through the usual process of manually selecting dates, times and destinations, you just tell the AI-powered assistant your travel intentions using natural language prompts. It'll then pull through the best deals it can find, paying attention to any additional information you provide. Flight Deals leverages real-time Google Flights data to ensure you're always shown up-to-date flights and deals from various airlines and booking operators. Google says the tool is first launching in beta and will use feedback from users to improve its capabilities over time. The company plans to add an option to exclude basic economy fares in the US and Canada, for example. To use the optional AI deal-hunter, you can either head to the dedicated page or select it from the top-left drop-down menu on Google Flights.

Google's new tool takes the pain out of finding great deals on flights

I found a secret Google Wallet feature -- now I never fumble at checkout Although trips away from home can be exciting, the time before it definitely isn't. No, I'm not talking about the days leading up to the trip feeling like months. Instead, I'm talking about the days preceding that, when you're sorting out the logistics, booking hotels, and most importantly, securing your flight tickets. Google wants to make this time a little less daunting to encounter, and it's doing so, of course, with AI. The tech giant is beginning to roll out Flight Deals, an AI-powered search tool within Google Flights that's "designed for flexible travelers whose number one goal is saving money on their next trip." The feature, which is still in beta, will be widely visible to users in the US, Canada, and India over the coming week, with no prior opt-in required. Users will be able to use the tool by heading to www.google.com/travel/flights/deals. Talk your way to deals The tool essentially offers users a conversational way of finding and booking flights. Once available, users will be able to type in prompts like "Week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop only," and the tool will intelligently suggest travel destinations, relevant dates, flights, and pricing. According to the tech giant, the AI tool understands travel intent, allowing you to search for terms like "see the cherry blossoms in Japan," or "romantic weekend getaways" instead of having to manually select a date and destination. Once your intent has been interpreted, the tools will go through Google Flight's existing flight inventory from over 300 partners to find the best flight deal for you. Results are then ranked by savings, with flights that are going for less than usual and other generally cheap flights highlighted first. The regular Google Flights experience will continue to work as usual, and it's gaining a new search filter too. Users will now be able to exclude basic economy fares for domestic trips in the US and Canada.

Google's Flight Deals uses AI to try and save some cash on your next destination vacation

With how often trip-planning appears as a Gemini demo at various keynotes and developer conferences, it seemed like only a matter of time before Google Flights got some AI attention itself. Today, Google's announcing an expansion of Flights to include AI-based cost-saving measures, but you'll need to be pretty easy-going in your travel plans to use it. Flights Deals is Google's AI-powered search tool that exists as an alternative experience within Flights. The company says it exists for "flexible travelers" looking to save cash by being willing to sacrifice specifics when searching for their next trip, up to and including dates and destinations. The AI-ness of it all comes in through an Gemini-powered search field -- Google describes inputting your request into it "as though you're talking to a friend" -- rather than using Flight's typical drop-down menus. Examples include "week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop only" and "10 day ski trip to a world-class resort with fresh powder." Google's clearly starting pretty slowly on its efforts to build AI into Flights. This tool really only has potential if you're trying to plan a vacation without any specific destinations or dates in mind; if you know where you're headed -- whether it's a long-awaited trip to Hawaii or a business trip out to a conference -- it's not going to be particularly useful. Google also makes it clear that Flights Deals exists as a separate tool within the original app, and that Flights as it exists right now is "here to stay." Flights Deals will launch in beta over the coming week to users in the US, Canada, and India, though it doesn't appear to be live for myself just yet outside of a "this feature isn't available yet" landing page. Google says there's no opting in for this one, and that it'll be accessible through the top-left menu on the Flights homepage. The company's main travel search is also getting an upgrade today, with users now able to exclude basic economy fares on trips throughout US and Canada.

Google's new AI-powered flight search could make your next vacation cheaper -- here's what we know

Google has been rolling out AI-powered features left, right, and centre. The latest of its tools to get the big upgrade is Google Flights, now powered with generative AI technology. This kind of update seems perfectly set up for booking flights. It allows Google Flight users to perfectly customize a booking to their needs. "Flight Deals is designed for travelers whose number one goal is saving money on their next trip," Jade Kessler, Product Manager for Google Flights, explained in a blog post. "Instead of playing with different dates, destinations, and filters to uncover the best deals, you can just describe, when, where, and how you'd like to travel -- as though you're talking to a friend -- and Flight Deals will take care of the rest." This works in a similar way to other generative AI tools you might have used, like ChatGPT or an AI image generator. Open up Google Flights and use the search bar. Google gives the example of "week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop only" or "10-day ski trip to a world-class resort with fresh powder." This is a style that is becoming more common in booking tools thanks to AI. Instead of searching using filters and locations, you can search via a description, including the key features you're after. Once you've searched, Google Flights will respond with the best prices available that match the requirements in your search. Google is currently launching this feature in beta. At this stage, the tool is still in training, but Google promises that you can still use Google Flights in its standard form, even if you've received the AI update. This feature will first roll out in the US, Canada and India. You don't need to opt in, it will simply automatically become available to you. The feature can be used either from the Flight Deals page or via the top-left menu on Google Flights.

Google Flight Deals is basically an AI travel agent for finding your next trip

Flight Deals is rolling out in beta across the U.S., Canada, and India Google is using Gemini AI to reinvent the travel agent experience, turning conversations into airplane tickets. The new Flight Deals product, which is now in beta, adds AI chat to Google Flights users looking for a good deal or who are still trying to decide where and when they want to travel. Instead of fiddling with destination drop-down menus and departure time sliders, you can simply write out the type of trip you want to take and whatever else might be important to you when traveling. Instead of an airport code and a date, you can pick a season, the vibe of the location, and how you feel about very early flights. Gemini will then scan real-time pricing from hundreds of airlines and deliver up-to-date options tailored to your request. This isn't a replacement for traditional Google Flights. That familiar grid of dates and sliders is still alive and well. But Google thinks Flight Deals is perfect for the flexible (or just indecisive) traveler. Think of it like that one friend who is not only really good at finding travel bargains, but truly loves finding them for friends. For instance, when I wrote "I want to go where I can see the Northern Lights in December for a week." I had suggestions for Alaska, Iceland, and Norway with some good deals across December. When I requested "Somewhere with mountains and great food in the spring," I saw flights from March to June to Denver, Munich, Auckland, and more. The more casual your phrasing, the more it has to work with. The AI will attempt to match not just the location but the spirit of your request. Gemini 2.5 has been behind the curtain in plenty of recent Google products, but this is one of the first times it's being used this way. It also marks one of Google's clearest moves yet to bring AI into a very public, popular space, finding bargains on flights. Airline tickets are perfect for enticing people to try AI, as buying them is a common, but not everyday experience, and expensive enough that people will make an effort to find a good deal without being so expensive that people wouldn't trust AI to help them when it's still possible for the technology to fail. Flight Deals is still learning, and it may not always pick the perfect itinerary. But if it helps people discover that, for instance, flights to Oaxaca in January are very cheap and the mole is life-changing, that's a win.

Flight Deals is our new, AI-powered flight search tool

Flight Deals is designed for flexible travelers whose number one goal is saving money on their next trip. Instead of playing with different dates, destinations and filters to uncover the best deals, you can just describe when, where and how you'd like to travel -- as though you're talking to a friend -- and Flight Deals will take care of the rest. To get started, search for something like "week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop only" or "10 day ski trip to a world-class resort with fresh powder." You'll see the best bargains available that match your search, including destinations you may not have previously considered. What makes Flight Deals unique is that it uses Google's advanced AI to understand the nuances of what you're looking for and identify matching destinations. Then, it'll tap into real-time Google Flights data to quickly show you relevant, up-to-date options from hundreds of airlines and booking sites. We're launching Flight Deals in beta to gather feedback and explore how AI can improve travel planning. But we know you love the original Google Flights, and that's here to stay (in fact, it will keep getting better: we're adding a new option to exclude basic economy fares for trips in the U.S. and Canada). Over the next week, Flight Deals will roll out in the U.S., Canada and India -- no opt-in required. You'll be able to try it out by heading straight to the Flight Deals page, or via the top-left menu on Google Flights. We hope this helps you book an amazing trip (at an amazing price), and we look forward to your feedback!

Google's Using AI to Help You Find Cheap Flights

Google Flight Deals is currently rolling out in beta in the U.S., Canada, and India. Google Flights is getting an AI tool to help you find the best deals for your upcoming trips by just going to a chatbox and telling it what you want. Called Flight Deals, you use it just like you'd use a Google search box. Just describe when, where, and how you want to travel, and it's supposed to handle the rest. The new AI tool is for those who don't like fiddling with the many different search tools on Google Flights, which currently require you to select specific airports or dates, even if you just want to browse. I've used Google Flights to find many great flight deals over the years, but I have to admit that it's not for everyone. Currently, Google Flights searches are like using a stick shift car when automatics are easily available. Sure, Google Flights gives you much more control, but Google's designed Flight Deals to be accessible to everyone. Once it's widely available, it could be an easier way to find a cheap flight you'd otherwise miss, or even ideate on trip ideas in general. Flight Deals will also show trip suggestions below the search box, based on your location, even if you haven't searched for anything yet. As for your own searches, Google says you're free to get creative. You could say "cheap economy class flight from New York to LA in one month," but you could also try search terms like "week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop only" or "10 day ski trip to a world-class resort with fresh powder." At the moment, Flight Deals is rolling out in beta in the U.S., Canada, and India. Neither I or my editor currently have access to it, but Google says the rollout should be finished in about a week. In the U.S. and Canada, Google says it's also added an option to exclude basic economy fares, which can be quite helpful for those with a lot of luggage, as those fares sometimes don't even include a carry-on bag anymore.

Google Gives Users AI-Powered Travel Agent

We may earn a commission when you click links to retailers and purchase goods. More info. My wife's father still uses a travel agent, a profession I had assumed the invention of the internet killed. Like other similar tasks, it appears AI wants to come in and finish the job. Google is launching Flight Deals in beta, an AI-powered feature that will help find you the best deals on your travel plans. In a search bar, you'll tell the AI what type of trip you want to take and for how long. AI will then spit out options for you, as well as where to find the best deals on that trip using real-time Google Flights data from a long list of airlines and booking sites. Google explains what it's trying to accomplish with the feature below. What makes Flight Deals unique is that it uses Google's advanced AI to understand the nuances of what you're looking for and identify matching destinations. Then, it'll tap into real-time Google Flights data to quickly show you relevant, up-to-date options from hundreds of airlines and booking sites. Google is clear that this is a standalone feature and that the beloved Google Flights experience isn't going anywhere. Flight Deals will be an accessible beta from the Flights page, but you can also access the beta via the link below. It's available in the US, Canada, and India to start. Flight Deals will go live this week, so if it isn't live for you yet, check back soon.

Google Flights adds AI-powered flight deals tool to help travelers save money - Phandroid

If you've ever spent hours hunting for cheap flights, you know how frustrating it can be. From figuring out the right destination and travel dates to finding the perfect route, the process can quickly feel overwhelming. Google says it's ready to help, and it's using AI to do it. The company has announced a new feature for Google Flights called Flight Deals, designed to help travelers save money with minimal effort. Instead of manually searching through endless filters, you can simply describe your trip in plain language. For example, Google suggests prompts like "week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop only" or "10 day ski trip to a world-class resort with fresh powder." Once you've entered your preferences, the AI taps into real-time Google Flights data to suggest destinations and flight options that match your criteria. You can pick from the recommendations or refine your input to see different results. Google isn't the first to notice the demand for AI-powered travel planning. Many travelers on Threads have already been sharing how they use ChatGPT to uncover cheap flights. It seems Google has taken note, building its own integrated tool directly into Google Flights for a more seamless experience. The Flight Deals feature will roll out in beta next week for users in the US, Canada, and India. When it arrives, you'll be able to access it from the top of the Google Flights page or via the menu in the top-left corner. Google says it's encouraging early users to share feedback so it can fine-tune the tool before a wider release.

Google new tool can help you find the best flight deals faster

Can airlines really track your flight search history to increase rates shown to you? * Google Flights is launching a new AI-powered search tool called Flight Deals. * The tool allows users to search for flights using natural language descriptions of their desired trip. * The tool is currently in beta testing in the U.S. and is expected to fully roll out within the next week. Google announced a new, AI-powered way to search for flights. The new Flight Deals tool is rolling out to U.S. users over the next week. Google's new tool lets users search for flight options using natural language, rather than having to go through the tedium of searching for an endless combination of dates and destinations to find a good deal. "Instead of playing with different dates, destinations and filters to uncover the best deals, you can just describe when, where and how you'd like to travel - as though you're talking to a friend - and Flight Deals will take care of the rest," a statement from Google about the new product said. I tried it out myself by searching for "A long weekend trip to somewhere with good hiking, not departing from Newark for less than $500," since I live in Queens, New York, and Newark Liberty International Airport is inconvenient for me to get to when the other two major airports for the city are so close by. Google came back with a variety of domestic and international destinations that fit my description. "What makes Flight Deals unique is that it uses Google's advanced AI to understand the nuances of what you're looking for and identify matching destinations. Then, it'll tap into real-time Google Flights data to quickly show you relevant, up-to-date options from hundreds of airlines and booking sites," Google's release said. Flight Deals is still in beta testing, but a Google spokesperson told USA TODAY it expects the rollout to be complete in the U.S. in the next week or so, if not sooner. Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at [email protected].

Are You a 'Flexible' Traveler Looking for Deals? Google Flights Has a New AI Search Tool for You

A former Senior Publishing Editor on the Dow Jones Newswires team at The Wall Street Journal, Aaron earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Michigan and a Master's in Journalism from Columbia University. Some travelers know roughly where, when, and how they'd like to fly, but are open to a variety of options to get the best deal. Google says it has come up with a solution to assist them in their quest. The Alphabet (GOOGL) unit on Thursday announced an AI-powered search tool within Google Flights called "Flight Deals," aimed at "flexible travelers whose number one goal is saving money on their next trip." "Instead of playing with different dates, destinations and filters to uncover the best deals, you can just describe when, where and how you'd like to travel -- as though you're talking to a friend -- and Flight Deals will take care of the rest," it said. Google said Flight Deals, which uses "advanced AI to understand the nuances of what you're looking for and identify matching destinations," will roll out over the next week in the U.S., Canada, and India. In another Google Flights update, the company said it's adding a new option for users to exclude basic economy fares for trips in the U.S. and Canada. Basic economy tickets -- which major airlines offer to compete with low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier -- often have lower fares but also come with significant restrictions, including limitations on carry-on baggage, seat selection, and changes or cancellations.

Google Will Now Let You Find the Cheapest Flights for Your Trips With AI

It is designed for those who are flexible with dates and destination Google introduced Flight Deals last week as a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can help travellers find the cheapest flight tickets. The Mountain View-based tech giant says that the new product, which is currently available in beta, is designed for flexible travellers who do not mind changing their dates, destination, and flight type. Flight Deals allows users to find their preferred flight tickets while conversing with a chatbot. Notably, it was first announced at Google I/O in May and is part of the company's expansion of its shopping tools. Google's Flight Deals are Now Available in Select Countries In a blog post, the tech giant detailed the new features, which can be found either as a direct web page or via the top-left menu on Google Flights. The company highlights that it is a niche tool, which might not be for everyone, but it will serve "flexible travellers whose number one goal is saving money on their next trip." The tool is currently being rolled out to Canada, India, and the US. However, Gadgets 360 staff members have found the web page to be inactive at the time of writing this. Flight Deals takes away the hassle of manually selecting different dates, destinations, and filters to find the best deal. Instead, it offers a chat interface where users can briefly add what they're looking for, and the AI handles the rest. The tech giant says Flight Deals uses "advanced AI" (which is likely a custom version of Gemini) to contextually understand the user's requirements and then connects to the real-time data from Google Flights. It then shows relevant options across different flights and booking sites. Google also shared two example prompts that individuals can use while searching for flights for their next trip. Users can ask something like, "week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop only," or "10-day ski trip to a world-class resort with fresh powder." In both of these scenarios, the traveller was not only flexible with the flight dates but also with their final destination. It is unclear if the AI can find deals when users have a fixed date or destination in mind.

Google launches AI-powered 'Flight Deals" for flexible, budget-friendly travel

You can describe when, where and how you'd like to travel and Flight Deals will take care of the rest. Google has unveiled Flight Deals, a new AI-powered search tool within Google Flights, aimed at travelers who prioritize saving money over fixed plans. Designed for flexibility, the feature lets users describe their ideal trip in natural language , from timing and destination type to trip length and specific preferences. For example, a query like "week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop only" will prompt Flight Deals to instantly surface the most relevant and affordable options. Powered by Google's advanced AI models and live Google Flights data, the tool quickly understands nuanced requests and delivers up-to-date results. Currently introduced as an experimental feature, Flight Deals explores how AI can make travel planning smarter and more intuitive. The classic Google Flights experience remains available for those who prefer traditional search. Flight Deals is rolling out over the next week in the US, Canada, and India. If you'd like immediate access to try it out, you can share your preferred Gmail account to get set up right away.

Google Flights launches new AI search tool - The Economic Times

Announcing this, a blogpost by Google said Flight Deals is designed for flexible travellers whose primary goal is saving money on their next trip. Over the next week, 'Flight Deals' will roll out in the US, Canada and India, and no opt-in would be needed, it further said.Google on Thursday said Flight Deals, its new, AI-powered search tool within Google Flights, will roll out over the next week in the US, Canada, and India. Announcing this, a blogpost by Google said Flight Deals is designed for flexible travellers whose primary goal is saving money on their next trip. Over the next week, 'Flight Deals' will roll out in the US, Canada and India, and no opt-in would be needed, it further said. The feature can be accessed through the Flight Deals page, or via the top-left menu on Google Flights, the flight search engine that helps users find and compare airline tickets. "Instead of playing with different dates, destinations and filters to uncover the best deals, you can just describe when, where and how you'd like to travel -- as though you're talking to a friend -- and Flight Deals will take care of the rest," it said. Citing an example, it said one can start with searching for something like "week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop only" or "10 day ski trip to a world-class resort with fresh powder". "You'll see the best bargains available that match your search, including destinations you may not have previously considered," it said. Flight Deals uses Google's advanced AI to understand the nuances of what users are looking for and identifies matching destinations. Thereafter, it taps into real-time Google Flights data to quickly display relevant, up-to-date options from hundreds of airlines and booking sites. "We're launching Flight Deals in beta to gather feedback and explore how AI can improve travel planning. But we know you love the original Google Flights, and that's here to stay (in fact, it will keep getting better: we're adding a new option to exclude basic economy fares for trips in the US and Canada)," it said.

Google Rolls Out AI Travel Search While EU Regulators Eye Market Dominance | PYMNTS.com

By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. The service, called Flight Deals, is being introduced as part of Google Flights and aims to cater to "flexible travelers" by allowing natural language queries. Users can enter detailed descriptions such as a "week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop only" and receive tailored airfare suggestions, according to Reuters. The tool uses AI to interpret user intent and pull relevant results from live flight data. The timing of the launch coincides with heightened regulatory attention. Per Reuters, the European Commission is investigating whether Google prioritizes its own services, including Google Flights, in a manner that undermines competitors. This probe falls under the EU's new Digital Markets Act, legislation designed to limit the influence of dominant online platforms. In response to regulatory pressure, Google is reportedly considering adjustments to its travel search services, including adding a price-comparison box to search results. Such changes could be part of the company's strategy to address antitrust concerns and avoid potential enforcement actions. Related: Perplexity Seeks Chrome Takeover as US Weighs Breaking Up Google Flight Deals is debuting in beta in the United States, Canada, and India, with a broader rollout planned after user feedback. Google says the trial period will help assess how AI can enhance travel planning. The company has not disclosed which AI models power the tool or provided details on its data sources and privacy measures. The move comes as competitors like Booking.com, Expedia, and MakeMyTrip have already integrated AI into their platforms. While Google may be entering later than some rivals, its global reach and search dominance could give it a competitive edge -- a factor that regulators are watching closely. The existing Google Flights interface, which launched in 2011, will remain available and is also receiving an update allowing travelers to exclude basic economy fares on U.S. and Canadian routes. This combination of expansion and scrutiny underscores the dual challenge Google faces: advancing its AI capabilities while navigating growing concerns over market fairness.