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Google Flights makes it easier to find the cheapest airfare

Google Flights makes it easier to find the cheapest airfare

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There’s a handy new button to surface all the red-eye overnight layovers you can handle.

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Google logo with colorful shapes
Illustration: The Verge

If you’re not familiar with Google Flights, you may not realize that you’re not always seeing the cheapest flights in your search results. The default algorithm considers numerous other factors, such as trip length, stops, and travel times.

It was, admittedly, easy enough to expand the results and view the full flight list before now, but Google is introducing a change that brings a new “Cheapest” tab that will sort all your flight options based purely on price.

Google Flights will build itineraries that include long layovers or mixed and matched flights from different travel agencies, airlines, and nearby cities in order to show you the absolute cheapest options. If you like what you see, it’ll direct you to the appropriate websites you’ll need to complete the booking.

Google says it’s rolling out the change worldwide over the next couple of weeks, but we’re already starting to see the button on our end.

Gif showing cheapest tab on Google Flights
Image: Google

You might not always like the trade-offs you’ll have to make in order to get the lowest prices, but it can be a lifeline if you’re on a really tight budget.