Google Launches New AI-Powered Search Tool for Cheap Flight
If you’re always on the hunt for cheap flights, Google just launched ‘Flight Deals’, an AI-powered feature inside Google Flights that takes the hassle out of bargain hunting. Instead of fiddling with endless filters and calendars, you can simply type what you’re after, like “a sunny getaway in November under $500”, and let Google’s AI serve up the best real-time deals from across the web.
Catch flights, not bad deals. ✈️
— Google (@Google) August 15, 2025
Flight Deals, our new AI-powered search tool within Google Flights, is made to help you save money on air travel. Just describe when, where and how you want to fly, like “week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop only,” then… pic.twitter.com/kyjV80Y0Tg
How It Works
In a blog post detailing how it works, Google revealed that Flight Deals is powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.5, Google’s most advanced AI model to date. Instead of manually tweaking filters, travelers can type natural-language prompts like “a long weekend in Spain under $300” or “nonstop ski trip in January”, and the system interprets the request with precision.
Behind the scenes, pricing information is pulled from real-time data feeds with airlines and travel companies, ensuring consistency with existing Google Flights results. What sets Flight Deals apart is the way it ranks offers:
- Deals are prioritized by percentage savings, so the steepest discounts rise to the top.
- If two flights show the same savings, the lower absolute price appears first.
- Trips without a “savings badge” are still included but sorted by lowest fare.
The outcome is a streamlined, intelligent ranking system that highlights true bargains rather than simply listing cheap tickets. Google also acknowledges that because fares fluctuate constantly, rankings and availability may shift from one search to the next.
Availability & Rollout
Flight Deals is launching first in the United States, Canada, and India, with broader international expansion expected in the coming months. The feature is currently in beta and can be accessed directly through the Google Flights interface: either via a dedicated Flight Deals page or from the main menu.
There’s no additional sign-up or app required; if you already use Google Flights, the new tool simply appears as part of the platform.
Competitive Context & Strategic Impact
Google’s move into AI-powered fare discovery places it squarely in the competitive crosshairs of major online travel agencies like Booking.com, Expedia, and MakeMyTrip, all of which are rapidly integrating artificial intelligence into their platforms. What differentiates Google is its sheer search dominance: millions of users already begin their trip planning journey on Google, giving the company a built-in audience that few rivals can match.
By embedding Flight Deals directly into Google Flights, the company is reshaping consumer expectations without sacrificing convenience. Instead of painstakingly filtering results, travelers can now describe their ideal trip and trust Google’s AI to handle the complexity.
If successful, Flight Deals could siphon high-intent traffic away from traditional OTAs, tightening Google’s grip on the top of the travel funnel. At the same time, regulators are watching closely: European authorities have already raised concerns about whether Google’s dominance in search gives it an unfair advantage in verticals like travel. In response, the company has begun testing additional transparency measures, such as price-comparison displays, to align with the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
