Google rolls out its AI ‘Flight Deals’ tool globally, adds new travel features in Search

Google has announced a significant expansion of its AI-driven travel planning features within its Search platform. The tech giant is now making its innovative "Flight Deals" tool accessible globally, enhancing the way users can book and arrange their travel. Initially launched in August across the U.S., Canada, and India, the Flight Deals tool is designed to help travelers quickly identify affordable destinations. Users simply need to input their travel preferences regarding where, when, and how they wish to travel. The AI will then present the best available deals, with the feature now rolling out to over 200 countries, including the U.K., France, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, and Korea. Additionally, it now supports more than 60 languages. Another exciting addition is the integration of the Canvas tool in AI Mode, allowing users to create detailed travel plans. This feature builds on Canvas's original purpose of organizing study materials, now tailored for travel. Users can specify the type of trip they desire and select the “Create with Canvas” option to receive a personalized plan. The Canvas side panel will provide real-time data on flights and hotels, alongside insights from Google Maps, including photos, reviews, and suggestions that align with user criteria. Moreover, travelers can fine-tune their plans by asking the AI for alternatives, such as choosing a hotel near a restaurant they want to visit, even if it means being a bit farther from hiking trails. Currently, this advanced travel planning feature is available on desktop for U.S. users participating in the AI Mode experiment. In addition to enhancing the travel planning experience, Google is also broadening the agentic capabilities of AI Mode. Initially, this feature was available to select users for making restaurant reservations, event tickets, and wellness appointments. Now, it will be accessible to all U.S. users, allowing them to request dinner reservations based on various preferences, including party size, date, time, and cuisine. In the near future, Google plans to allow users to complete flight and hotel bookings directly within AI Mode, enabling them to compare options and view essential details like schedules, prices, and amenities, all in one convenient interface.