How to Find CHEAP FLIGHTS with GOOGLE FLIGHTS in 2026
Everything you need to know to use Google Flights to find cheap flights in 2026.
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You’ll learn how to go from a beginner to a Google Flights expert. We’ll cover everything from basic searches, flexible date calendars, and the powerful “Explore” map to advanced filters (stops, alliances, baggage), multi-city itineraries, and even Google’s new AI-powered search features. By the end of this video, you’ll know exactly how to find the best flight deals and save hundreds on your next trip.
✅ You might enjoy watching my guide on how to find deals on hotels: https://youtu.be/0K4xIWolX6E
Table of Contents:
0:00 – Your Secret Weapon for Cheap Flights
0:56 – Part 1: The Basic Foundation – Mastering the Search
2:09 – Selecting Origin & Destination (Pro Tip: Using Multiple Airports)
3:09 – Using the Date Calendar to Find the Cheapest Days
3:46 – Understanding Search Results (Best vs. Cheapest)
5:26 – How to Check and Filter by Baggage Fees 6:10 –
The REAL Power of Google Flights: The “Explore” Map
7:25 – How to Book (Google Flights is an Aggregator, Not a Booking Site)
8:06 – Price Analysis: Is This Flight a Good Deal?
8:33 – Using the Explore Map for International Trips
10:27 – How to Track Flight Prices (Get Email Alerts)
10:53 – How to Share Your Flight Itinerary
11:31 – Sponsor: Ekster Smart Wallets
14:30 – Using the “Date Grid” to Find the Perfect Dates
16:31 – Using the “Price Graph” for Long-Range Planning
17:33 – Advanced Explore Filters (Multiple Origins & Regions)
18:48 – Filtering by Stops (Finding Non-stop Flights)
20:19 – Filtering by Interests (Beaches, Skiing, etc.)
21:46 – More Advanced Filters (Price, Times, Duration)
23:16 – Advanced Filters: Connecting Airports & Alliances
26:00 – Understanding Advisory Icons (Long Layovers, etc.)
26:50 – Viewing Price History (When is the best time to book?)
28:06 – Advanced Itineraries: Mastering Multi-City Search
32:23 – Pro Tip: “Open Jaw” Tickets (e.g., Fly into London, Home from Paris)
32:59 – Google’s NEW AI-Powered Features
35:42 – Final Tips & Wrap Up
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✅ You might enjoy watching my guide on how to find deals on hotels: https://youtu.be/0K4xIWolX6E
The most important thing when looking for cheap flights is to shorten (or extend) your stay at your destination by a day or two. You'll be surprised how much money you save (especially for 2 people).
Appreciate the insights
I don't have some of the filters on my search, and it doesn't show the typical prices or historical prices as you show in your video. Is there anything I'm doing wrong?
Subscribed 👍🏾
Warning! If you get the cheapest long-haul flight possible, keep in mind whether you can endure sitting in the cheap seats for a long-haul flight. I just did the Flight USA to London in the cheap seats and doubt I'll ever do that again being over 6 feet tall. I do love the Google tool and learned some new tricks from this video.
Great info thank you. I know you would pick Japan. 😊🇯🇵
I am not fly8ng anywhere while Trump is president. And, except ror watching yt, I don't use Google. They are evil, and I won't sell them my soul.
And AI is shit.
Chris or Has anyone booked using the OTAs instead of directly with the airlines? I’m super scared to use that option.
They need a filter that says minimum connection time. I have seen so many of them with sketchy connections.
Google's ITA Matrix is what's hiding behind this web interface, and is even more powerful.
Can I have it ignore airlines I wouldn’t consider? Like Frontier? I hear they’re going to start charging extra for the lousy service and attitude..
Creator, you are doing great work!
Wallet is genius
Its not even 2026 why qee you spreading mis information
Awesome in depth tutorial Chris. I will definetly be using google flights more now for trip planning.
I'm often on Google Flights and didn't know about the AI feature! May I put in a request for you to do ITA Matrix? 🙂
Are the budget booking site safe? I have found a great deal but scared if the sites are safe.
smh "travel expert" but searching for CDG instead of PAR 😂
Chris this is your crazy planned trip:
Fly from LAX to Denver
Hop on a bus from Denver to Salt Lake City
Take the train from Salt Lake City to Reno
Walk from Reno to Lake Tahoe
Ride a scooter from Lake Tahoe to Sacramento
Fly from Sacramento to Seattle
Take a cruise from Seattle to San Francisco
Then finally take an Uber from San Francisco all the way back to LAX to meet OC girl and Curious Princess at the In&Out Burger.
I like to fly Delta over other flights. I book direct so I can get the points towards a future flight. Do u get discounts with Google ? Do they price match with other airlines if you find it lower? Can you book hotels and rental cars on there too as a package? At least I'm learning something new with ur video. 😊🎉❤ Alita
I recommend you update your dated knowledge. Now everything is done through chat GPT Atlas 💗.
so we dont have go into private mode in our browser so the site doesnt realize we're checking for the best deal and then suddenly surge prices when we come back?
Am I the only one who knows everything from this video. Always booked all my flights from Google. Huge fan!!!
Aloha Chris. Thanks for the very handy info. Take care.
I've been on Google flights for the past month trying to see what prices are looking like to fly from Los Angeles (LAX or Burbank Airport) to Orlando in June 2026 for a cruise. It's insane what the prices are….so this video came at a perfect time…thanks soooo much. I'll watch this video when I get home from work later.
Hey Chris, if my cruise is in June 2026. How long before do you recommend buying tickets when they are cheapest? I've heard 6 months before and I've heard 1-3 months before.
Unless I'm going to London, I avoid LHR like the plague.😁
On multi-city pay attention to luggage restrictions. You are a Star Alliance that gives you free checked luggage, but your next leg is say Peach Air. Peach weighs your carry-on and charges for checked luggage (ask me how I know😁). I recommend paying more and sticking to Star Alliance so you don't have to worry(ANA?).
JFK/ EWR to Tenerife Spain in May 2026… what can you find?
Thank you so much for this Dee dive. I use Google flights but now thanks to you my friend I feel like a pro and I’m ready for my next adventure 🙏
i didn't realize that there was a duration filter.. that is a MUST.. a lot of times, the cheapest flights have really bad layovers
I love google flights to explore, it helped us with our Christmas trip.. multi city Phoenix to Vienna and from Budapest to Phoenix. (train in between of course) I found that it was all available on British Airways, I then did the same search on BA an they had a sale back in September. the long flights from Phoenix to London, yay.. one thing that I have started to really look for is certain planes.. I would rather be on an A350 or Boeing 787… there were flights on United through other US airports, but the long flight was on an old 767 which isn't as comfortable in Premium Economy.
SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. You’re giving away some of my best secrets to help friends and family get great deals.
better than booking
Taiwan has the most beautiful women in the world.
Such a great tool!
Love this. Need to find flights to London for our trip next July.