When Google publicizes a brand new journey function, my inside explorer perks up. So Thursday morning, when it introduced the launch subsequent week of Flight Deals, an AI-powered device designed to assist versatile vacationers discover low-cost airfare, I grabbed my laptop computer and dove in to try it out after being granted early entry (particularly since I’m going to have a travel-heavy finish to 2025). The pitch is attractive: Just inform Google what sort of journey you are on the lookout for and its AI will sniff out offers that match. In idea, it is good for individuals who do not care whether or not their winter getaway is in Aruba or the Canary Islands, so long as it is sunny and the value is true. But I wished to know if it will work simply as effectively for individuals who, you realize, have some thought of when and the place they wish to go? Or is it aimed squarely on the versatile crowd?I spent hours testing it with every kind of prompts, from laser-specific requests to free-spirited “just take me anywhere” queries. The outcome? It works in the event you’re cool with being tremendous imprecise.For extra tales on journey and AI, I’ve additionally written about the right way to ebook low-cost airfare on Google Flights, how to save cash on airfare and if AI will help you journey extra sustainably. Testing prompts from particular to ‘simply take me anyplace’I’m effectively conscious that Google’s Flight Deals function is meant for “flexible” vacationers. Still, I began with the form of queries a standard traveler would possibly kind in — particular dates, cities and budgets. That’s the place issues had been… finicky.Prompt 1: Tampa to Boston. Specifically, I typed, “I am looking for a flight from Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida, to Boston for the weekend of Sept. 11 through 14. Ideally, I would arrive that Thursday night after work and in the evening on Sunday.” The device coughed up one outcome with a less-than-ideal time. When I clicked on the one outcome, I used to be taken to the common Google Flights web page.From there, I attempted to be extra versatile with my dates and the airports.Prompt 2: Tampa to North Carolina (Charlotte or Raleigh), anytime in late August. Two outcomes confirmed, one from every airport. A bit of higher, however hardly a flood of offers. Not a flood of offers, however it nonetheless gave me some choices I can work with. Screenshot by Macy Meyer/CNETAfter nonetheless not getting nice outcomes, I made a decision to be extra versatile with dates and solely be particular on worth, since Google mentioned this function is de facto for vacationers “whose number one goal is saving money on their next trip.”Prompt 3: Tampa to New York, any date, any airport, simply must be beneath $150. I obtained a single September flight.So far, Flight Deals wasn’t precisely making the flight-finding course of simpler. That’s once I determined to loosen up my standards.Prompt 4: 5-day journey, someday in winter 2026, heat and tropical, nonstop. When I hit enter, I obtained a observe saying no outcomes had been obtainable for my immediate. So I attempted one other immediate to see if the “5 days” was tripping up the search device. On a couple of searches, the device responded with “We couldn’t match your search.” Screenshot by Macy Meyer/CNETPrompt 5: Week-long journey, winter 2026, heat and tropical, nonstop. Still no outcomes.Prompt 6: Every week-long winter journey, heat and tropical, nonstop. Finally, six choices for inexpensive seashore escapes appeared. I seen that Flight Deals appears to want particular language for higher outcomes. Screenshot by Macy Meyer/CNETIt turned clear that the function is a bit hit and miss — the extra imprecise my immediate, the higher the outcomes. I additionally seen that Flight Deals appears to want particular language for higher outcomes. Prompts 4 by means of 6 are basically the identical, however with completely different language. When I typed, “5-day-long trip in winter 2026 to a warm and tropical destination. Nonstop flights only,” I acquired no outcomes. But once I typed, “A week-long trip during the winter to a warm and tropical destination. Nonstop flights only,” I acquired six offers from Tampa for a seven-day journey departing between Dec. 1 and Feb. 28. In quick, you would possibly must fiddle together with your phrase selection to really get outcomes. How Flights Deals stacks as much as Google’s AI ModeFor comparability, I took a number of of the identical prompts to Google Flights’ AI mode, a function that is been round for a bit and may reply journey questions with a chat-like interface. Here’s the place issues obtained fascinating because the AI mode dealt with specifics much better. It discovered choices that match my precise parameters and supplied useful context and hyperlinks to reserving sources. Flight Deals is positioned because the enjoyable, exploratory possibility, however it requires a stage of flexibility that even essentially the most, effectively, versatile vacationers do not typically have. If you really haven’t any plan? This is nice for ideation. For anybody who already is aware of their vacation spot or dates? Google’s common Flights search will probably be your finest wager. Regular Google Flights or looking for flights with Google AI Mode could offer you higher outcomes. Screenshot by Macy Meyer/CNETNot revolutionary, however enjoyable in the event you’re chill about journey After hours of poking at Flight Deals, I can say this: It’s not a revolutionary journey device. It’s principally Google Flights with a “choose your own adventure” coat of paint… and one that provides you a clean stare in the event you begin asking for too many specifics.If you are the form of traveler who says, “anywhere warm in February works for me” and is keen to go away the small print to destiny (or Google on this case), you would possibly adore it. But in the event you’ve obtained a marriage to attend, faculty break dates to work round or a desire for afternoon departures over 6 a.m. begins, you are most likely higher off with the usual Google Flights search.Think of Flight Deals like that one spontaneous good friend who texts you, “Pack a bag, we’re going somewhere!” They will not inform you the place, although, and also you would possibly simply find yourself within the Bahamas… or Buffalo. Sometimes that is thrilling, however as a rule, you may know when and the place you are headed when you consider reserving flights. And this device simply is not for that goal. How to make use of Google Flights’ new Flight Deals AI device In case you wish to check out Google Flights’ new AI search device your self when it rolls out over the following week (no particular date set), here is the right way to get began:Search “Google Flight Deals” in your browser or go on to google.com/journey/flights/offers.Type a immediate into the AI field. Keep it free since you may get extra outcomes in the event you do not lock in too many particulars. Example: “A week-long trip this winter to a warm, tropical destination.”Browse AI-generated choices. You’ll see a curated checklist of locations with costs and pattern dates.Click by means of for reserving. Once you see one thing you want, click on the hyperlink to view it in common Google Flights and full your reserving there.For extra Google options, discover how I take advantage of Google Maps for stress-free journey and the six Google AI and Lens options I’m utilizing to plan my holidays.
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