Google Flights’ New Feature Helps You Track and Book the Cheapest Airfares

According to News Week, Are you looking to book cheap flights for upcoming holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas?

A new feature launched today by Google Flights offers travelers a convenient way to find more affordable flight options through a dedicated “Cheapest” tab.

The Best Time to Book Your Holiday Flights

October is recognized as the prime time to book flights in the U.S. for Thanksgiving and Christmas, according to Google’s latest travel trends report. Starting this week, travelers can enter their trip details on Google Flights and click on the “Cheapest” tab to discover “more options with even lower prices,” as announced in a blog post by the search engine giant.

A spokesperson from Google explained to Newsweek that this update will be rolled out globally over the next two weeks. The feature aims to present travelers with additional affordable options, including offers from online travel agents and more “creative” itineraries. These may involve longer layovers or booking segments of the trip across multiple airlines or providers.

The Rise of Layover Flights

Search interest for “layover flight(s)” reached an all-time high in January of this year, according to Google Trends data. The new Google Flights feature caters to travelers willing to endure multiple layovers or forego other conveniences to secure the cheapest deals.

For example, there may be third-party booking sites offering lower prices than the airlines themselves, or travelers could save by flying back to a different airport in the same city—such as departing from LaGuardia Airport and returning to John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Price Trends for Holiday Travel

According to Google’s 2024 travel trends report, nonstop flights tend to be 25% more expensive than flights with stops. The cheapest days of the week to fly are typically Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, which are 13% cheaper than flying on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

For those traveling domestically for Thanksgiving, prices have been lowest 45 days before departure, with a low price range typically falling between 26-59 days out. Consequently, travelers looking to fly right before or after the holiday should have aimed to book their flights in early October.

When it comes to flying around Christmas, the report suggests that the best time to secure cheap flights is during the second half of October. Prices are typically lowest 58 days before departure, with a range of 36-72 days out being most affordable.

Looking Ahead to Spring Break and Summer Travel

As we look forward to spring breaks in March or April, the report indicates that the lowest prices can be found 44 days before departure, with a low price range between 33-59 days out.

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For those planning domestic trips in July or August, it may be possible to snag last-minute bargains. Historically, prices have been lowest 21 days before departure, with the most favorable range falling between 13-43 days out.

The Travel Landscape in 2024

This latest Google Flights announcement arrives as travel is expected to hit record highs this year, with global tourism spending projected to reach $2 trillion, according to a December 2023 survey by Euromonitor International. An October report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) also noted a 8.6% increase in total passenger demand in August compared to the previous year, with a record high load factor of 86.2%—indicating that airlines are selling a significant percentage of available seats.

With Google Flights’ new features and insights, travelers can better navigate the holiday flight landscape and find the most affordable options available for their trips.