Google Flights review

Google Flights is the fastest way to see what a route should cost. Google says it compares offers from over 300 travel partners, including airlines, online travel agencies and aggregators, and that partners don't pay to appear in its list of flights. Results come in two tabs: Best balances price and convenience, while Cheapest ranks by price and adds agency itineraries that may involve self-transferring bags or switching airports. For flexible trips, the Date grid and Price graph show the cheapest days and weeks, and the Explore map, now with an AI search, suggests where you can go for less. Price insights flag when a fare is less than usual or likely to rise, and tracking sends email updates for a route, a flight or any dates. The catch is that Google Flights does not sell tickets itself, so changes and refunds go through the airline or agency you book with, and Google notes its results may not include every offer.

Who it is for

Bargain hunters who want the broadest fare comparison, flexible date tools and price predictions in one place.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Best and Cheapest results tabs, with extra agency itineraries in Cheapest
• Date grid and Price graph to find the cheapest days to fly
• Price insights that flag when fares are less than usual or likely to rise
• Price tracking by route, flight or any dates, with email updates
• Explore map and AI deal search for flexible trips

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Compares offers from over 300 travel partners
• Strength: Google says partners don't pay to appear in the flight list
• Strength: Clear price history and booking advice on many routes
• Weakness: You book on the airline or agency site, not on Google
• Weakness: Cheapest results can include self-transfers and airport changes
• Weakness: Google notes results may not reflect all available offers

Key facts

• Travel partners compared: Over 300
• Results tabs: Best and Cheapest
• Flexible tools: Date grid, Price graph, Explore
• Price alerts: Email updates for tracked routes and flights
• Paid placement in flight list: No, per Google's help page

Where it ranks

Google Flights is No. 1 in our Best Flight Search Sites verdict.