The Essentials of Google Flights - An In-Depth Guide
Here's a comprehensive guide to help you make the most of Google Flights.
Performing a Basic Flight Search
- Navigation: Begin by visiting google.com/flights. You'll notice a sidebar on the left with additional features, but let's focus on flight booking for now.
Input your details: The main page presents various fields and drop-down menus for you to input your travel information. You need to specify:
- Departure location
- Destination
- Dates of travel
- Type of trip: round-trip, one-way, or multicity
- Number of passengers
- Ticket class: economy, premium economy, business, or first class
Once you've entered your details, hit the blue search button.
- Results: Google Flights will display a list of flights based on factors like price, routing convenience, number of stops, and travel time. For instance, if you search for flights from JFK to SFO, you'll see hundreds of options. The system will also suggest the best carrier for both legs of the trip.
- Booking: After finding the flight you want, Google Flights will provide various booking options, including basic economy, refundable, and other fare types. It'll redirect you to the airline's website for the final booking process. It's advisable to book directly with the airline to ensure your loyalty benefits are honored.
- Historical price guide: This feature gives you a sense of whether your fare is low, high, or average compared to past prices for the same route. It's a handy tool to ensure you're getting a good deal.
Advanced Search Features
- Time-specific search: Google Flights allows you to filter your search results based on specific departure and arrival times. It's a handy feature for those who want to avoid early morning or late-night flights.
- Baggage filter: The "Bags" button lets you specify the number of bags you'll be bringing, which can influence your search results and the final price.
- Flight stop filter: You can filter your search based on the number of stops you're willing to make.
- Airline or alliance filter: If you're loyal to a specific airline or alliance, Google Flights can help you maintain that loyalty with its airline-specific search results. Simply use the filter to exclude unwanted airlines or manually select the carriers you prefer.
Google Flights is a powerful tool, not only for its easy-to-use interface but also for its comprehensive features that cater to every traveler's unique preferences.
Optimize your Connecting Flights
When traveling internationally, it's essential to know which airports are best for layovers. With Google Flights, you can filter results only to show the airports you prefer for connections. Plus, you can choose the length of your layover - either keep it short to reach your destination faster or opt for a longer layover to buffer against potential delays.
Get the Best Legroom and Amenities
Nothing is worse than finding your knees crammed against the seat in front of you on a long-haul flight. Google Flights solves this by offering a feature that shows expected legroom before you purchase your ticket. It also indicates whether Wi-Fi, in-seat charging options, and flight entertainment are available. These features help you select a flight that suits your needs beyond just price and carrier.
Understand your Carbon Footprint
In an era where sustainability matters, Google Flights provides information about your flight's approximate carbon emissions. The emissions are calculated based on the route, aircraft type, and seating class. This feature also allows you to filter search results only to show lower-emissions flight options.
Find the Cheapest Dates
Google Flights allows you to find the lowest possible prices for your trip if you're not tied to specific dates. You can click on the calendar icon to see the lowest price for each day. The date grid option shows the cheapest dates in green, helping you find the best deal that fits your schedule.
Set up Pricing Alerts
Google Flights helps you track your flight and sends alerts when the price fluctuates. To enable this, click on the "Track prices" toggle above your search results. This tool is especially useful if you've booked a refundable or changeable fare and want to ensure you get the best deal.
Search Multiple Airports at Once
Google Flights allows you to search for flights from multiple airports simultaneously, increasing your chances of finding a better deal. You can either type in your city name and let Google offer suggestions or manually type in your airport codes or names.
Check Carry-on Bag Policies
Google Flights also provides information about airlines' carry-on bag policies. This is particularly helpful when booking flights with low-cost or ultra-budget airlines that charge extra for baggage.
Remember: Google Flights doesn't work with Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines doesn't allow other platforms to book its flights, meaning you won't see them listed on Google Flights. Make sure to check Southwest Airlines' website or app for a price comparison before finalizing your booking.
Organize your Travel
On Google Flights, there's a "Travel" feature on the sidebar that shows your booked trips, and potential trips based on your search history, and suggests new trips based on your past travel patterns.
Find the Best Getaway Deal
1. Be Flexible With Your Dates
Flexibility is your best friend when it comes to finding cheap airfare. And Google Flights is the perfect companion for this! Once you input your preferred travel dates, a handy calendar feature pops up, showing two months of prices. It's like having a crystal ball that tells you the cheapest days to fly. The best deals are even highlighted in green, making it a breeze to spot the savings. So, if your travel dates are flexible, you can play around with this feature and nab the cheapest round-trip flight options
2. Consider Multiple Airports
Ever thought of flying out from a different airport? Well, Google Flights lets you do just that! You can search for flights to and from multiple airports all at once. This feature is especially useful if you're open to a bit of extra travel to your departure or arrival airport. You might be surprised at the deals you can find! So, don't just stick to one airport – expand your horizons and watch the savings roll in
3. Set Up Price Tracking
Nobody wants to miss out on a great deal, right? With Google Flights' "Track prices" feature, you won't have to. After setting your departure and destination cities and your dates, just click the "Track prices" button on the results page. Once it's toggled on and turns blue, you're all set to receive fare alerts. It's like having your own personal flight price watchdog, ready to bark (or rather, ping) whenever there's a deal to be had.
4. Book on the Right Day
Contrary to popular belief, there isn't a magical day of the week to book flights. Different studies give different answers. Expedia's study suggests Sunday is the day to nab those discounts, with travelers potentially saving 5% on domestic flights and 15% on international flights. On the other hand, a Google study found Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday flights to be 1.9% cheaper on average than weekend flights. However, the consensus is: grab a deal when you see one, regardless of the day!
Regarding timing, international flights are best booked at least six months in advance, while domestic flights hit the sweet spot between 21 and 44 days before departure. So mark your calendars, set reminders, and book those flights when the price is right.
5. Be Aware of Extras and Fees
This one's a bit tricky. While Google Flights does provide some information on what's included in the ticket price, it's important to check directly with the airline for any additional fees. These can include charges for checked bags, seat selection, and more. These extra fees can add up and significantly increase the total cost of your trip. So, do your homework and avoid any unpleasant surprises at the airport!
