Google Flights has introduced a new “Cheapest” tab that lets travelers find more affordable airfare options by exploring creative travel routes.
This new feature, rolling out globally over the next two weeks, is designed to help users save on flights when cost is the primary concern, offering alternatives that may involve trade-offs in convenience.
When searching for flights, Google Flights typically presents the best options at the top, balancing price and convenience. However, the “Cheapest” tab shifts the focus entirely to cost, surfacing options that might not appear in standard search results.
Travelers may find third-party booking sites offering lower prices or see opportunities to save by flying back to a different airport in the same city. For example, departing from LaGuardia and returning via JFK could cut costs.
The results under the “Cheapest” tab often come with unique conditions. Travelers could encounter flights with longer layovers, self-transfers, or the need to book different legs of the journey through multiple airlines or booking sites.
These creative itineraries may not always be the most straightforward, but for those willing to sacrifice convenience for savings, the feature offers a great way to stretch a travel budget.
One example Google provided showed a round trip from New York City to Vancouver. In the standard search results, a flight with a stop in Calgary was priced at $350. But under the “Cheapest” tab, an alternative flight through Atlanta was available for $284, a $66 savings for a slightly longer travel time. These kinds of trade-offs are typical of the options found in this new tab, giving travelers the flexibility to choose between cost and convenience.
This update is timely, particularly as holiday travel approaches. According to Google’s recent insights on U.S. holiday travel trends, October is typically the best time to book the lowest fares for trips around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
With the new “Cheapest” tab, travelers can secure the best deals for their holiday plans while deciding how much convenience they are willing to trade for savings.
Whether you’re planning a long-awaited vacation or trying to budget for holiday trips, the “Cheapest” tab on Google Flights offers an innovative way to find affordable flights without sacrificing the opportunity for adventure.