Nothing causes more price anxiety in travellers than deciding when to use Google flights. Should you book now or wait for fares to fall? But what if prices instead rise? What if you wait too long and all flights are full? So much hand-wringing, so much time and mental space consumed.
Travel agencies are constantly forecasting the best time to book the cheapest airfare. They can see patterns and generate forecasts by processing previous data, but there are always changes from year to year. When Google recently updated its crystal ball with data from the first seven months of this year, it discovered that, with two significant exceptions, most patterns from 2022 have carried into 2023.
When it comes to booking flights for the upcoming holiday season, average rates will be lowest 71 days before departure, compared to last year’s prediction that fares would be lowest 22 days before departure. So mark it in your calendar: The best time to book a flight for the weekend before Christmas 2023, according to Forbes, is in the first few days of November.
According to James Byers, group product manager for Google Flights, the massive seven-week change is essentially a course correction. Last year’s forecast was based on data that encompassed 2020, which was “not the best indicator of what to expect going forward,” according to Byers. As a result, his team eliminated 2020 from their dataset for this year.
The most-searched destination on Google Flights for vacations departing from US airports between December 20, 2023 and January 5, 2024 is Cancun, Mexico. Miami and Fort Lauderdale, New York, San Juan, Honolulu, Orlando, and Los Angeles are the top U.S. destinations.
The other significant difference that Google observed for the rest of 2023 over last year is in flights to Europe. The age-old recommendation to book early still holds true, as trans-Atlantic airfares are often at their lowest 72 days or more before departure.
However, Google claims that there is no longer a sweet spot when prices fall before rising again. “We’re now seeing that prices no longer tend to drop at any point before departure and will generally rise once you get about 10 weeks from takeoff,” Byers adds.
“Intriguingly, this shift appears to be the result of including the most recent data through July 31, 2023 in this year’s set of insights.”
If you prefer to sit back and wait for an email notice when airfares decrease drastically, Google’s price tracking service will send one.
To receive alerts regarding price cuts in the next three to six months, you may either set up tracking for specific dates or turn on “any dates” tracking.
And what about the risk-averse who prefer a guaranteed thing? Some Google Flight search results now include a price-guarantee badge, indicating that Google is so confident that the shown fare will not decline before departure that it will repay the difference if it does.
The most-searched locations on Google Flights this year for travellers planning a vacation to Europe during the holiday season are the perennial favourites, London and Paris.
Google Flights is a flight search engine and travel planning tool developed by Google. It allows users to search for flights, compare prices, and find the best travel options for their needs. Here are some key features and functions of Google Flights:
- Flight Search: Users can enter their departure city or airport, destination, travel dates, and other preferences to search for available flights.
- Price Comparison: Google Flights provides a user-friendly interface for comparing prices from different airlines and travel agencies. It helps users find the most affordable options for their desired routes.
- Flexible Date and Destination Search: You can explore flight options for different dates and destinations to find the best deals or plan a trip with flexible travel dates.
- Explore Destinations: Google Flights has a feature that allows users to explore destinations based on their interests, budget, and travel dates. This can help travelers discover new places to visit.
- Track Prices: Users can track flight prices for specific routes and receive notifications when prices drop, allowing them to book at the best time.
- Filter and Sorting Options: Google Flights offers various filters and sorting options to help users narrow down their search results by factors such as airlines, layovers, departure times, and more.
- Multi-City and Multi-Airline Bookings: Users can book multi-city trips and even mix and match airlines to create custom itineraries.
- Information and Tips: Google Flights provides information about baggage fees, in-flight amenities, and other travel details to help users make informed decisions.
- Integration with Google Services: It seamlessly integrates with other Google services like Google Calendar, allowing users to easily add their travel plans to their calendar.
- Mobile App: Google Flights has a mobile app available for both Android and iOS devices, making it convenient for travelers to search for and book flights on the go.
It’s important to note that while Google Flights is a powerful tool for researching and planning flights, the actual booking process may redirect you to the airline’s website or a third-party booking platform to complete your reservation. Always double-check the details and terms before making a booking.
