When Google showcases Gemini or other features at various keynotes and developer conferences, it often uses travel planning as an example, so it seems only a matter of time before Google Flights itself is incorporated into Google’s AI initiatives. Recently, Google announced an expansion of Flights’ scope, using AI to help travelers save on travel costs.
Google launches new AI flight search tool Flight Deals, aiming to help you save on travel costs.
Flight Deals is Google’s AI search tool that offers an alternative experience within Flights. The company says it exists for “flexible travelers” who want to save money by being willing to adjust specific details—including dates, destinations, and more—when searching for their next trip. This is all made possible by a Gemini-powered search field, where Google presents your input in a conversational way, like discussing with a friend, rather than using Flights’ traditional dropdown menus.
Google’s efforts to integrate AI into flights are clearly off to a slow start. Since the main goal of this new tool is to “save money,” it can only show its potential when you try to plan a vacation without a specific destination or dates. If you have already clearly decided where you want to go or are traveling for business, it won’t be particularly helpful. Google explicitly stated that Flight Deal is a separate tool within the original app, and the existing Flights will continue to exist.
What makes Flight Deals unique is that it uses Google’s advanced AI to understand the nuances of what you’re searching for and identify matching destinations. It then leverages real-time Google Flights data to quickly show you relevant, up-to-date options from hundreds of airlines and booking sites. The company’s main travel search has also been upgraded, allowing users to exclude basic economy fares on trips within the US and Canada.
Flight Deals will launch its beta version to users in the US, Canada, and India next week. There’s no need to manually opt in—just go to Flight Deals You can try it right on the page. The author himself only saw the message “This feature has not yet been launched,” indicating that Taiwan should also have a chance to get this feature in the future.
Source: KOCPC Chinese