Summary
- Google will discontinue direct flight bookings through its search engine.
- The phase-out will begin globally after September 30 and in the U.S. after March 31, 2023.
- Users will still have access to Google Flights for searching flights and travel planning tools.
Google will soon disable the ability to book air travel directly through the search engine, as it has found that travelers prefer to book directly through an airline or another travel website.
Consequently, Google will stop offering the option to book a flight directly through the site after September 30 for most of the world. Furthermore, the search engine will end this option in the United States after March 31, 2023, as confirmed by the company to iBestTravel.
“Over the next 12 months, we plan to phase out the Book on Google feature for flights,” a company spokesperson told iBestTravel. “We originally offered this functionality to give people a simpler way to buy their tickets and to help our partner airlines and OTAs [online travel agencies] receive more bookings. However, we’ve found over time that people actually want to book directly on partner websites, and we always strive to meet user preferences whenever possible.”
Until the feature is disabled, travelers will still be able to book directly through Google using a payment method stored in their Google account. Moreover, bookings made before the feature is disabled will remain unaffected, according to the company.
Travelers who choose to book through Google will continue to receive a confirmation email directly from the airline or another online travel agency. They will then need to reach out to the airline or travel agency directly for any questions, cancellations, or change requests.
Even once the booking feature is no longer available, travelers will still have the ability to search for flights through Google Flights, which offers beneficial features such as the ability to “explore” a map to locate the best deals and set price alerts on flights. Therefore, Google Flights remains a valuable tool for travelers.
Furthermore, Google is enhancing its travel planning capabilities by introducing a tool that enables travelers to locate places to stay within walking or driving distance of specific landmarks, attractions, or events. Additionally, Google has introduced a “Live View” feature on its maps that allows users to see arrows and directions superimposed onto their smartphone’s surroundings, making navigation easier and more intuitive.
