Google has introduced Flight Deals, an artificial intelligence–powered feature designed to help travelers find affordable flights. Currently in beta, the tool is aimed at those who are flexible with dates, destinations, or flight types in exchange for significant savings.
Highlights
- AI Travel Search: Flight Deals lets travelers use natural language queries (e.g., “a ski trip with fresh powder”) to find affordable, tailored flight options.
- Powered by Google Flights: Built on real-time flight data and Gemini AI models, it ranks results by savings percentage and overall cost.
- Initial Rollout: Currently available in the U.S., Canada, and India, targeting budget-conscious travelers open to flexible destinations and dates.
- New Flexibility Controls: Users can now exclude restrictive basic economy fares, gaining more comfort without losing savings.
- Surprise Suggestions: The AI may recommend unconventional destinations (e.g., Ljubljana, Slovenia) alongside popular hubs for adventurous users.
- Limitations: No support yet for multi-city itineraries or groups larger than four, making it less useful for families or complex trips.
- Best Suited For: Travelers seeking inspiration and deals, rather than those locked into fixed schedules or destinations.
Conversational Search for Flights
First announced at Google I/O 2025, Flight Deals expands Google’s growing suite of shopping tools. Instead of manually adjusting filters, travelers can describe their preferences in natural language.
Queries such as “a week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop only” or “a 10-day ski trip to a world-class resort with fresh powder” prompt the AI to return tailored, cost-effective flight options.
Powered by real-time Google Flights data, the system uses conversational AI—likely built on Google’s Gemini models—to interpret requests and provide context-aware recommendations that go beyond price and dates, aligning with a traveler’s stated interests and flexibility.
Availability and Target Audience
The feature is rolling out in Canada, India, and the United States, though some users report the dedicated web page is not yet fully active. Google highlights that the tool is designed primarily for cost-conscious travelers who are open to adjusting their plans to secure better deals.
Key Features and Limitations
Limitations for Complex Itineraries
Flight Deals currently does not support multi-city itineraries or group bookings larger than four travelers, limiting its usefulness for families or complex trips.
Option to Exclude Basic Economy
Google Flights now offers a filter to exclude basic economy fares, which often come with restrictions such as no carry-on bag, limited flexibility, and no seat selection. This gives users more control over balancing savings with travel comfort.
Surprise Destination Suggestions
The AI occasionally recommends unexpected destinations. For instance, a request for “a trip to Europe with great cheese and wine” might return cities like Cluj-Napoca, Romania or Ljubljana, Slovenia, alongside more familiar locations. This discovery-oriented approach may appeal to adventurous travelers.
Real-Time Pricing and Savings Ranking
Flight Deals ranks options by percentage savings, prioritizing value rather than just absolute cost. When savings are equal, the system defaults to the lowest total price, surfacing the most budget-friendly results first.
A Tool for Flexible Travelers
While promising, Flight Deals may not meet the needs of travelers with strict schedules or specific destinations. For now, it is best suited to adventurous or bargain-focused users, offering inspiration and savings rather than replacing traditional flight search methods.
