So far, search results for airline tickets on Google Flights have prioritized combining price and convenience over cost alone. This means that you may miss out on cheaper options and end up spending more than necessary.
Through an update to its online tool, which will be rolled out gradually over the next two weeks, Google is finally working to make it easier to display the best-priced airline tickets for your trip, although you may sacrifice some convenience if you choose one.
Google explained in a blog post announcing the update: “For example, there may be a third-party booking site that offers a lower price than the airline itself.” “Or you may be able to save by returning to a different airport located in the same city you departed from – like flying from LaGuardia Airport in New York and returning to JFK Airport.”
The update introduces a new “Cheapest” tab on the Google Flights search page, while the most convenient options (according to Google Flights at least) will appear alongside it under the “Best” tab.
Sure, you may find some options under the “Cheapest” tab that offer longer layovers, self-transfers, or a requirement to purchase different stages of the trip through multiple airlines or booking sites. But as Google points out in its post, “at times when cost is more important than convenience, the new tab gives you an easy way to see the lowest available prices,” allowing you to choose the best option for you.
Google has been gradually improving its flight tool since its launch in 2011. In its latest update, the tech giant added a feature that suggests the best time to book a cheap flight. Google Flights also offers price tracking, which, once set up, will alert you automatically if the fare for your route experiences a significant drop.
