Best Sites for Booking Flights: A Comprehensive Guide for 2024

Everyone wants to take a trip to their dream location without breaking the bank. However, it’s quite sad that these days that’s so much harder to accomplish. Factors like inflation and rising fuel prices have only made the lives of travelers more difficult, but that doesn’t mean they still can’t find cheap airfare prices.

Whether that is scouring the internet for the cheapest prices on airfare and the best newsletter services, or simply using flight search engines such as Google Flights to find the best deal for that particular location, there are ways you can combat the high prices of airfare with the right strategy. One of the best ways to do so is to find out which are the best sites for booking flights and securing cheap deals.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at the best flight-booking sites.

Matt’s Flights

Our newsletter service has been around since 2017, and our experience positions us as a great source people can trust. Each week, we send out a batch of the best cheap flight deals, and we cover the locations where every traveler wants to visit. And let’s not forget, we also come up with great giveaways that will take your breath away.

You can opt to join us for free, or if you want to enjoy even better deals and allow us to plan your entire journey from start to finish, you can opt for our premium service. Even if you are an expert traveler, having someone with decades of expertise help you out can ensure the majority of your wallet’s contents remain intact.

Whatever you choose, you can rest assured that you will benefit tremendously, especially if you are living and breathing for travel.

Google Flights

Google Flights is nothing short of amazing. That is if you know how to use it. This flight search engine will help you organize your trip the way you want to; however, the features it offers can be quite overwhelming for a new user.

If you want to learn everything Google Flights has to offer, you can check out our in-depth guide, where we discuss how you can make the filters work for you and help you find the best deal and enjoy the best experience while flying.

That’s right, through the filters and various features Google Flights offers, you can tailor your experience: fly on carriers that emit fewer harmful gasses, find flights with more legroom, check the prices of different classes, go over alternate options, and so much more. Many people consider Google Flights the best tool for finding flights.

Bear in mind that you are not actually booking through Google. This platform just makes it easier for everyone interested in a particular flight displayed on the platform to secure their ticket as it leads them straight to the airline that offers the deal.

And, Google Flights can be the best site for booking international flights, so, if you want to jet off on a long journey, make sure that this tool is in your arsenal.

Skyscanner

Skyscanner is one of the most used flight booking sites for its comprehensive features and benefits that cater to a wide range of travelers’ needs. Its user-friendly interface, both on the website and mobile app, allows for a seamless experience when searching for flights. Plus you can view hotel and car rental options.

Here’s a detailed look at what makes Skyscanner so special:

Comprehensive Search and Comparison Tools

Skyscanner enables users to compare prices from numerous airlines and travel agencies, ensuring that they get the best deals possible. 

Its search feature allows travelers to input their departure and destination cities, along with travel dates, to quickly find available flight options. The platform also offers a “flexible dates” feature, which helps uncover more affordable fares by showing a range of date options for your trip.

User-Friendly Features for Flexible Travel

For those with flexible travel plans, Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search feature and “cheapest month” tool are particularly beneficial. 

These features help travelers discover the lowest fares throughout the year and suggest destinations based on budget and preferred departure location.

Real-Time Price Alerts and Deals

Skyscanner helps travelers stay informed about price changes for their selected routes through its price drop notifications which works similarly to Google Flights alerts.

This feature ensures that users can book flights at the best moment and grab a good deal. Additionally, Skyscanner regularly curates and highlights special deals on flights, so it might be a good idea to keep an eye out for such highlights.

Transparency and Informed Decisions

The inclusion of star ratings and reviews for airlines on Skyscanner offers insights into the overall flying experience with particular airlines. This transparency can help you make informed decisions. 

Pros and Cons

While Skyscanner offers numerous advantages, such as comprehensive search tools, price alerts, and special deals, it’s also worth noting some of its limitations.

For instance, not all airlines and booking platforms are included in the search results and you might have to use an alternative method.

Using Skyscanner

The process of using Skyscanner is straightforward: visit the website or app, enter your travel details, and customize your search using filters. 

You can then browse the results, compare options considering prices and reviews, and proceed with the booking process, which may redirect you to the airline’s website or a booking platform.

Expedia

Expedia offers a wide array of features that cater to various travel needs, making it an appealing choice for travelers looking for comprehensive travel booking options. 

Here’s an in-depth look at Expedia’s offerings and considerations:

Key Features and Benefits of Expedia

• Discounts and promotions: Expedia is known for providing frequent sales, last-minute deals, and bundle discounts. The platform allows for bundling services like flights and hotels, which can lead to savings. Additionally, Expedia collaborates with Affirm to offer payment plans, enabling customers to pay for their trips in monthly installments.
• Loyalty program: Expedia Rewards is a notable feature, offering points for bookings made on the platform. These points can be redeemed for future travel bookings or to unlock special discounts, encouraging customer loyalty and repeat bookings.
• Global reach and multilingual support: Expedia’s services are available in multiple languages and cover a broad geographic range, with established partnerships with airlines, hotel chains, and independent accommodations worldwide. This extensive network provides travelers with a variety of options to suit different preferences, cultures, and budgets.
• User reviews and security: The platform features user-generated reviews and ratings for hotels, flights, and other services, offering valuable insights to prospective customers. It’s also worth mentioning that Expedia uses secure payment processing systems and adheres to data protection regulations to safeguard users’ information.
• Innovative technologies: Expedia integrates new technologies to enhance search algorithms, and personalized recommendations, and improve the booking experience. The platform’s user interface is continuously updated for efficiency, and it explores emerging travel trends through strategic partnerships.

Considerations When Using Expedia

• Potential for additional fees: While Expedia offers competitive pricing and bundled deals, there may be additional fees on top of the booking cost, such as service or cancellation fees. These extra costs should be factored into the overall value of the booking.
• Access to exclusive deals: Though Expedia provides competitive prices, it may not always offer exclusive deals or promotions available directly from airlines or hotels. Travelers looking for the very best deals may need to compare options.
• Hidden fees: It’s important to be aware of potential hidden fees, particularly when arriving at hotels or picking up rental cars, which could impact the overall cost and experience of your travel.

Momondo

Momondo is another travel search engine that offers a broad list of features aimed at simplifying the process of finding affordable travel options. 

It provides a user-friendly platform that’s accessible to both novice and veteran travelers, ensuring that planning and booking trips are both efficient and enjoyable.

Key Features and Benefits

• Comprehensive search capabilities: Momondo excels at searching multiple booking sites simultaneously, saving you time and ensuring you get the best deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals. In a nutshell, its ability to compare prices across different providers ensures that users always find competitive deals.
• Flexible date searches and price calendar: These tools help you identify the cheapest days or months to travel, potentially saving a significant amount on airfare. The “Mix & Match” option combines flights from different airlines to lower overall costs or offer more convenient connections.
• User reviews and interactive map views: For accommodation options, Momondo aggregates genuine user reviews and ratings, offering a complete overview of each property. Furthermore, the interactive map feature helps in locating hotels near popular attractions, landmarks, or specific neighborhoods.
• Transparent pricing and free cancellation: Momondo displays transparent pricing for car rentals and often lists hotels offering free cancellation or flexible booking options, adding peace of mind to your travel planning.
• Mobile app: The mobile app extends the convenience of Momondo’s platform, allowing users to browse flight deals, manage hotel bookings, and find car rentals with a few taps on their smartphones. It’s designed for ease of use and quick access to travel deals on the go.
• Sustainable travel options: Momondo also caters to the growing demand for sustainable travel by offering a filter to search for flights with the least CO2 emissions. This feature is in line with the preferences of environmentally conscious travelers.

Considerations When Using Momondo

While Momondo offers many advantages for travelers, it’s important to note potential discrepancies in pricing due to the dynamic pricing algorithms used by airlines and travel agencies. 

Additionally, as was the case for other platforms we discussed, not all available providers may be included in every search result, which means cross-referencing with other platforms might sometimes be necessary to ensure all options have been explored.

Kayak

Kayak is recognized as a leading travel search engine and a part of the Booking Holdings family. It’s perfect for comparing prices from carriers and online travel agencies. This enables users to find the best prices and travel times without a hitch. 

Unlike traditional travel agencies, Kayak acts as a metasearch engine, aggregating options from over 700 providers, including notable names like Booking.com, Priceline, and Hotels.com, alongside direct bookings from airlines. This network ensures users have access to a wide range of flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, and even unique travel components such as trains, buses, tours, and activities.

One of Kayak’s standout features is its flexible search options, allowing users to refine their search results through various filters based on preferences for price, duration, stops, and specific providers, similar to Google Flight. This customization ensures that travelers can pinpoint the best options to suit their individual needs. 

Additionally, Kayak’s innovative tools like Price Forecast and Alerts offer insights on whether to book immediately or wait based on price trends, helping secure the best deals possible.

For those seeking inspiration or aiming to identify the most cost-effective times to travel, Kayak’s Explorer and Best Time to Travel tools can help them with just that. Explorer shows the cheapest flights worldwide from a chosen airport, while Best Time to Travel provides guidance on the optimal times to book flights for specific destinations. 

Moreover, Kayak’s Hacker Fares and Price Freeze options present unique ways to save on travel, with Hacker Fares helping you find economical round-trip plane tickets through two one-way flights and Price Freeze allowing you to lock in flight prices, which protects you from unpredictable price increases.

Kayak also offers packages for booking flights and hotels together which can potentially lead to more budget-friendly bookings compared to separate ones. 

Plus, their guides provide valuable destination insights, including activities, dining, and cost-effective travel periods. Even though Kayak directs users to third-party flight booking websites to secure the airfare ticket, it’s still a great site for frequent travelers in search of good deals.

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CheapOair

CheapOair specializes in offering competitively priced airfares, making it a go-to for budget-conscious travelers seeking value without compromising on service. 

With a user-friendly website and mobile app, CheapOair aggregates deals from a wide range of airlines and booking options, presenting users with a plethora of choices tailored to their travel needs. Its distinctive feature lies in its ability to offer exclusive discounts, thanks to long-standing relationships with partners across the travel industry. 

Additionally, CheapOair provides 24/7 customer support, ensuring that travelers have assistance whenever they need it. The platform’s flexibility in search parameters, including multiple city searches and extensive filtering options, helps travelers find the best possible deals tailored to their specific preferences.

Travelocity

Travelocity offers not just flights but also hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. As one of the pioneers in the online travel agency space, Travelocity prides itself on a user-friendly platform that guarantees price matching, ensuring travelers get the best deals available online. 

If a customer finds a lower price elsewhere, Travelocity will refund the difference, underscoring its commitment to affordability. Beyond competitive pricing, Travelocity enhances the travel experience through its mobile app, which provides exclusive deals and the convenience of managing bookings on the go. The platform’s 24-hour cancellation policy on most flights adds a layer of flexibility, allowing travelers to book with confidence.

Hopper

Hopper takes a unique approach to travel bookings by leveraging predictive analytics to forecast flight and hotel prices with high accuracy. This innovative app notifies users when prices for their desired flights or accommodations are expected to rise or fall, enabling them to book at the optimal time and save money.

Hopper’s user interface is both engaging and straightforward, simplifying the process of tracking and booking travel. The platform also offers a “Price Freeze” feature, where users can lock in a price for a small deposit, protecting them from future price hikes. 

Additionally, Hopper has expanded its services to include car rentals and travel insurance, making it a versatile tool for planning and securing all aspects of travel at the best possible prices.

Extra Tip: SeatGuru

SeatGuru always comes in handy, and let’s be honest, every single one of us wants to avoid that middle seat. Here you can view seat maps with ease and, on top of that, book flights. While it’s well known among travelers, this tool has been around for quite some time and is now gaining serious traction as the new generation is using it quite a lot.

Final Thoughts on the Best Sites for Booking Flights

Despite the challenges posed by inflation and rising fuel costs, there are numerous tools and websites for booking flights and helping travelers plan their journeys efficiently. From comprehensive platforms like Skyscanner and Google Flights, offering extensive search capabilities and real-time alerts to specialized services like the one we offer at Matt’s Flights, which delivers handpicked deals directly to your inbox. 

Each platform has its own unique features, whether it’s Expedia’s bundle discounts, Momondo’s flexible date searches, or Hopper’s predictive analytics for price forecasting. Additionally, lesser-known gems like SeatGuru provide valuable insights into seating options, enhancing the overall travel experience.

By leveraging these best booking sites, travelers can rest assured that they will always get the best deals possible.

That being said, which one you consider the best flight booking site is entirely your prerogative and based on your current needs as each one is great in its own way. So, go over the best websites to buy airline tickets, and remember that you don’t have to settle for just one, you can leverage all of them and enjoy the best experience.