Google AI Flight Deals: Now Available Globally + New Travel Features

Google Enhances Search with New AI Travel Planning Features

On Monday, Google announced the rollout of several new AI-powered features designed to streamline travel booking and planning directly within Google Search.

Expanded Availability of AI-Powered Tools

The tech giant is broadening access to its AI-driven “Flight Deals” tool. Simultaneously, users can now leverage the “Canvas” tool in AI Mode to organize their travel itineraries. Furthermore, agentic booking functionalities are being extended to a wider audience.

Initially launched in August within the U.S., Canada, and India, Flight Deals is now becoming globally accessible. This AI-powered search tool within Google Flights aims to assist users in discovering cost-effective travel destinations.

To initiate a search, users simply articulate their desired travel parameters – including destination, dates, and preferred travel style. Flight Deals then utilizes AI to present the most advantageous offers available.

The rollout of Flight Deals now encompasses over 200 countries and territories worldwide. This includes regions such as the U.K., France, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, and Korea. Support for more than 60 languages has also been integrated into the tool.

AI Mode and the Canvas Tool for Itinerary Creation

Google states that users can now employ the Canvas tool within AI Mode to construct detailed travel plans. Canvas, previously utilized for study planning and information organization, is now adaptable for trip planning purposes.

Users begin by informing the AI Mode about the nature of their desired trip and then selecting the “Create with Canvas” option.

“A plan will immediately appear in the Canvas side panel, integrating current Search data for flights and hotels. It also includes details from Google Maps, such as photos and reviews, and pertinent information from websites across the internet,” Google explained.

The system provides suggestions tailored to user criteria, such as hotel comparisons based on price and amenities, or recommendations for restaurants and activities optimized by proximity to accommodations.

Users can then pose further questions and receive assistance with decision-making. For example, they can explore tradeoffs between a hotel's location relative to a desired brunch spot versus hiking trails.

Currently, travel planning with Canvas is available on desktop in the U.S. for users participating in the AI Mode experiment within Labs.

Agentic Capabilities Expanded

Google also announced the expansion of AI Mode’s agentic capabilities to a broader user base. Earlier this year, access to AI-assisted booking of restaurant reservations, event tickets, and beauty/wellness appointments was limited to Labs participants.

Now, this functionality is being made available to all U.S. users.

Users can submit requests for dinner reservations specifying preferences like party size, date, time, location, and cuisine. AI Mode will then search across various reservation platforms to identify real-time availability at matching restaurants, presenting a curated list of options.

Looking ahead, Google intends to enable users to complete flight and hotel bookings directly within AI Mode. Users will be able to describe their requirements and then compare flights or hotels, reviewing schedules, prices, room photos, amenities, and reviews.