Artificial intelligence has revolutionized the way of planning trips. More and more travelers trust digital tools to inspire, organize routes or even reserve plane tickets. However, although AI generates personalized itineraries and attractive suggestions, still Topy with some limitations when finding the most economical flightespecially if compared to specialized platforms or knowledge of a travel agent.
According to a recent study by Oliver Wyman, 41% of travelers use the generative AI to plan their vacationsa figure that grows year after year. Satisfaction with these tools also increases: three out of four users claim to be happy with the recommendations received. The ease of use and customization are the main reasons for this trend.
However, when it comes to reserving cheap flights, AI still fails to overcome traditional search engines or professionals in the sector. A clear example is the experience of a traveler who, given the need to find an economic ticket from New York to Charlotte, tried several AI platforms such as Chatgpt and Gemini, in addition to Google Flights and a travel agent. The result was revealing: the AI offered unrealistic or inflated prices, while Google Flights and the agent found direct and cheaper flights.
The key to this lag is the Access to real -time data. Platforms such as Google Flights use global distribution systems that allow access to updated rates and availability to the second, something that generative AI cannot do alone. In addition, travel agents provide added value: their personal experience and their ability to solve unforeseen events or add details that technology cannot offer.
Even so, artificial intelligence continues to progress. Many platforms already integrate personalized price alerts and virtual assistants that help find combinations of flights that the user would not have discovered on his own. Flexibility on travel dates and the use of predictive tools allow anticipating the best offers and avoid last minute surprises.