Here’s my quick test on how to use Google Bard to book flights and possibly leverage the tool to get better, cheaper, and more informed options. Remember that Google has its own (and very powerful) search engine, Google Flights. So the idea with this post is not to replace that tool with Google Bard, but to get more information that you cannot get from Google Flights.
Google Bard is a large language model chatbot developed by Google AI and an aggressive response to ChatGPT. Bard can generate text, translate languages, write different kinds of creative content, and answer your questions in an informative way. And it’s free! (so far)
How To Use Google Bard To Book Flights (Ask These Questions)
This question is one of the most common ones and can be a piece of good information before searching on Google Flights to set expectations and understand market averages. The information is also fresh, as Bard gets data from the last 7 days and summarizes it for you.
Example: What are the cheapest flights from San Francisco to Frankfurt?
Google Bard Answer:
The cheapest flights from San Francisco to Frankfurt start at $298 for one-way and $515 for round-trip. These prices were found within the past 7 days and are subject to change. Some of the airlines that offer cheap flights from San Francisco to Frankfurt include:
United Airlines
Lufthansa
American Airlines
Delta
Air France
A common case when searching on Google Flights is that you find multiple airlines operating the same routes. But Google Flights has no information about their service, so you need to search for reviews, YouTube videos, and opinions, and that can take quite a long.
I asked Bard to compare airline’s service to get a quick answer.
Example: Which airline has better service: United Airlines or Lufthansa?
Google Bard Answer:
Both United Airlines and Lufthansa are reputable airlines. However, Lufthansa is generally considered to have a slightly better service, as they offer more amenities and have a more experienced staff.
Here is a more detailed comparison of the two airlines:
United Airlines
Pros:
Non-stop flights from San Francisco to Frankfurt
More frequent flights
Cheaper fares
Cons:
Service can be inconsistent
Older planes
Lufthansa
Pros:
Better service
Newer planes
More amenities
Cons:
Flights with one connection
More expensive fares
Often, finding a good place to sit requires going to SeatGuru or googling around for reviews and opinions too. Instead, I tried asking Google Bard AI to recommend a seat for me.
Pro Tip
Be specific about the exact plane, airline, or even route that you are interested/flying.
Example: Where’s the best place to sit in Economy class on Air France 777-300er?
Google Bard Answer:
The best place to sit in Economy class on an Air France 777-300ER is in the bulkhead rows. These rows have more legroom than other rows, and they are also less likely to be bumped by other passengers. The best bulkhead rows are:
Row 1: This row is located in front of the bulkhead, so it has the most legroom. However, it is also close to the galley and lavatories, so it can be noisy.
Row 10: This row is located in front of the exit row, so it also has more legroom. However, it is also closer to the lavatories, so it can be noisy.
Row 29: This row is located in front of the bulkhead in the last row of economy class. It has the most legroom, but it is also close to the lavatories and may not recline.
If you are not able to get a seat in the bulkhead rows, the next best seats are the window seats. These seats offer more privacy than the aisle seats, and they are also less likely to be bumped by other passengers.
Use Bard AI to compare seat characteristics between aircraft operating the same route or competitors. This can be useful for quickly processing the facts on the airline’s websites and getting the information before booking.
Example: Which seats are wider, biggest, and most comfortable? Delta 737-800 economy class or American Airlines A321neo economy class?
Google Bard Answer:
The seats on the Delta 737-800 economy class are wider and bigger than the seats on the American Airlines A321neo economy class. The Delta 737-800 economy class seats have a width of 17.3 inches, while the American Airlines A321neo economy class seats have a width of 17 inches. The Delta 737-800 economy class seats also have a pitch of 31 inches, while the American Airlines A321neo economy class seats have a pitch of 30 inches.
Here is a more detailed comparison of the two economy classes:
Delta 737-800 economy class
Seats: 17.3 inches wide, 31 inches pitch
Amenities: Personal entertainment system, power outlets, USB ports
Service: Complimentary snacks and drinks, free checked bags
American Airlines A321neo economy class
Seats: 17 inches wide, 30 inches pitch
Amenities: Personal entertainment system, power outlets, USB ports
Service: Complimentary snacks and drinks, free checked bags
Wonder how old are the planes you are going to fly? Ask Google Bard to get the data right away! This information is usually available on Airfleets.net and other similar sites.
Example: How modern is Lufthansa’s fleet?
Google Bard Answer:
Lufthansa’s fleet is one of the youngest in the world, with an average age of 6.5 years. The airline has a total of 713 aircraft, including Airbus A380s, A350s, A330s, A320neos, Boeing 747-8s, 787-8s, and 737 MAX 8s. Lufthansa is constantly updating its fleet with new aircraft, and it has plans to retire its older aircraft in the coming years.
Here are some of the factors that make Lufthansa’s fleet modern:
The average age of the fleet is 6.5 years, which is one of the youngest in the world.
The fleet includes a mix of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, which gives Lufthansa a wide range of options for its routes.
The fleet is equipped with the latest technology, including in-flight entertainment systems, Wi-Fi, and lie-flat seats in business class.
Lufthansa is constantly updating its fleet with new aircraft, which ensures that its passengers have a comfortable and enjoyable flight.
Some airlines (especially US airlines) are so big and have been around for so long that they have a very diverse fleet with multiple aircraft types, configurations, and cabins. It’s hard to compare them or understand what are the best options, especially if they are operating the same route.
You can use Google Bard to rank the airlines’ airplanes based on how comfortable they are.
Example: What are the most comfortable aircraft on Delta Airlines?
Google Bard Answer:
Delta Air Lines has a fleet of over 800 aircraft, and it is constantly updating its fleet with new and more comfortable aircraft. Some of the most comfortable Delta Airlines airplanes include:
Airbus A350-900: The Airbus A350-900 is a long-haul aircraft that is known for its comfort and efficiency. It has a range of over 8,700 miles and can seat up to 294 passengers. The A350-900 features lie-flat seats in Delta One, Delta’s business class, and Comfort+, Delta’s premium economy class. The seats are also wider and have more legroom than the seats in economy class.
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner: The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is another long-haul aircraft that is known for its comfort and efficiency. It has a range of over 7,870 miles and can seat up to 250 passengers. The 787-8 Dreamliner features lie-flat seats in Delta One and Comfort+. The seats are also wider and have more legroom than the seats in economy class.
Boeing 737 MAX 9: The Boeing 737 MAX 9 is a narrow-body aircraft that is known for its fuel efficiency and performance. It has a range of over 3,500 miles and can seat up to 210 passengers. The 737 MAX 9 features wider seats and more legroom than the previous generation of 737s.
Airbus A220-100: The Airbus A220-100 is a narrow-body aircraft that is known for its fuel efficiency and performance. It has a range of over 3,400 miles and can seat up to 160 passengers. The A220-100 features wider seats and more legroom than the previous generation of 737s.
Google Bard can give you the latest opinions and reviews from people around the internet.
Example: what are the most recent first-class reviews on Lufthansa’s first-class long haul?
Here are some of the most recent first-class reviews on Lufthansa first class long haul:
“The service was impeccable, the food was delicious, and the seats were incredibly comfortable. I would definitely recommend Lufthansa first class to anyone looking for a luxurious and relaxing travel experience.”
“Lufthansa first class is simply outstanding. The seats are lie-flat, the service is top-notch, and the food is excellent. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to travel in style.”
“I had a wonderful experience flying Lufthansa first class. The seats were spacious and comfortable, the service was attentive and friendly, and the food was delicious. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a luxurious travel experience.”
“Lufthansa first class is a truly exceptional experience. The seats are lie-flat and incredibly comfortable, the service is top-notch, and the food is delicious. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a luxurious and relaxing travel experience.”
“I recently flew Lufthansa first class from New York to Frankfurt and I was blown away by the experience. The seats are incredibly comfortable, the service is impeccable, and the food is top-notch. I would highly recommend Lufthansa first class to anyone looking for a luxurious and relaxing travel experience.”
Do you have a long layover or a very tight connection? The connecting airport can make a huge difference in how pleasant your experience is. Before booking your flight, you can check with Google Bard how is the export experience. Are there a lot of shops and things to do on a long layover? Is it easy to transfer between terminals? Etc.
Example: Is it better to wait 12 hours in Amsterdam Schiphol or London Heathrow?
Google Bard Answer:
I would say that it is better to wait 12 hours in Amsterdam Schiphol than in London Heathrow. Schiphol is a much more modern and efficient airport, with more amenities and services available. It is also much easier to get around Schiphol, as it is a smaller airport. Heathrow, on the other hand, is a much larger and older airport, which can make it more difficult to get around. It is also a much busier airport, which can make it more crowded and noisy.
Here is a more detailed comparison of the two airports:
Amsterdam Schiphol
Pros:
Modern and efficient airport
More amenities and services available
Easier to get around
Less crowded and noisy
Cons:
Can be expensive
Not as many direct flights to other destinations
London Heathrow
Pros:
More direct flights to other destinations
Can be cheaper than Schiphol
Cons:
Older and less efficient airport
Fewer amenities and services available
More crowded and noisy
When buying a premium cabin, you want to make every cent worth it. Use Google Bard to compare the experiences between airlines and highlight the key differences.
Example: I’m flying from Europe to Buenos Aires—key differences between business class on Air France and KLM.
Google Bard Answer:
Air France and KLM are both excellent airlines, and their business class cabins are both very comfortable. However, there are a few key differences between the two that may make one a better choice for you than the other.
Air France
Pros:
Larger seats with more legroom
More direct flights to Buenos Aires
More amenities and services available in business class
Cons:
Can be more expensive than KLM
Food and beverage service is not as good as KLM
KLM
Pros:
Food and beverage service is excellent
More comfortable seats with more recline
Can be cheaper than Air France
Cons:
Fewer direct flights to Buenos Aires
Amenities and services in business class are not as extensive as Air France
This information is usually available through 3rd-party providers like FlightAware and takes a while to get. Google Bard can summarize it for you.
Example: How often is flight DL484 delayed?
Google Bard Answer:
According to FlightAware, flight DL484, which operates from Atlanta to Los Angeles, is delayed about 10% of the time. The average delay is about 45 minutes. The most common reason for delays is weather, followed by mechanical issues and air traffic control delays.
Here are some tips for avoiding delays:
Book your flight in advance. This will give you more options and make it more likely that you will be able to get on a flight that is not delayed.
Be flexible with your travel dates. If you can, try to avoid flying on weekends and holidays, when flights are more likely to be delayed.
Check the status of your flight before you leave for the airport. This will help you to know if your flight is delayed or cancelled.
If your flight is delayed, be patient. The airline will do everything they can to get you to your destination as quickly as possible.
BONUS: What frequent flyer program should I join?
It’s often the case that people don’t know which frequent flyer program to join. Don’t let Google Bard decide for you. But you can still use it for some inspiration to see if there’s an angle that you’ve missed when considering the options
Example: what frequent flyer program should I join if I’m based in Sweden and fly a a lot from Stockholm to New York via London?
Google Bard Answer:
If you are based in Sweden and fly a lot from Stockholm to New York via London, the best frequent flyer program for you would be one that partners with airlines that offer direct flights between these cities. Some of the best options include:
SAS EuroBonus: SAS EuroBonus is the frequent flyer program of Scandinavian Airlines, which offers direct flights from Stockholm to New York via London. Members of SAS EuroBonus can earn points for every dollar spent on SAS flights, as well as with a variety of partners, including hotels, car rental companies, and credit cards. These points can then be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other rewards.
American Airlines AAdvantage: American Airlines AAdvantage is a popular frequent flyer program that partners with SAS. Members of AAdvantage can earn points for every dollar spent on American Airlines flights, as well as with a variety of partners, including hotels, car rental companies, and credit cards. These points can then be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other rewards.
British Airways Executive Club: British Airways Executive Club is a popular frequent flyer program that partners with SAS. Members of Executive Club can earn points for every dollar spent on British Airways flights, as well as with a variety of partners, including hotels, car rental companies, and credit cards. These points can then be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other rewards.
There are some articles that argue that both Google Bard and ChatGPT are unimpressive for planning trips, and I agree to some extent that the responses and advice gotten from the tools can sometimes feel generic and nothing out of the ordinary, particularly when planning a trip for you. But I also think there’s a bright side.
I’m not expecting these tools to plan everything for me. And even if they were capable, I wouldn’t go ahead and blindly book what they suggest. Instead, I consider tools like Google Bard as great research tools that speed up my process and help me make a more informed decision in a fraction of the time.
Searching for reviews, finding seat maps, and knowing how frequently a flight is delayed requires going to multiple websites and trying to scrape this information (very often outdated), manually. There’s an opportunity here to let one of these tools fetch, parse, understand and pre-digest this data FOR you before you can relate it to what you see in the booking engines.
Overall, I think there’s a chance to leverage Google Bard to help book flights, whether you are doing it through Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak, or any other flight search engine of your choice.
Have fun with Google Bard AI, and let me know your comments or thoughts below!
