Airlines and flight dynamics have changed a lot since the coronavirus pandemic. Before the pandemic, the trend of flight rates was that you could always find some affordable last-minute travel deals via apps to get cheap flights. From 2000 till 2022, flight rates dropped significantly during Corona, and you could easily find the lowest priced tickets to your favorite travel destination. Considering they are still accepting tourists, you don’t have to take expensive PCR Corona tests before flying and fulfill all the travel requirements for a certain country. Even if the flights were cheap and everything would have worked out, there was always a thought at the back of the mind. What if you got sick in a totally strange country? So, not a lot of people were traveling till late 2022. It took a great toll on the airline industry.
The flight rates have significantly increased to compensate for the loss in the previous couple of years. Many airlines no longer exist because they couldn’t survive the tough times and went bankrupt. Some had to fire almost half of their crew to survive because the airlines running costs are very volatile; there are lease payments for their fleet, the ground crew, the flight crew, and the airport costs. The ones that survived now have increased the flight rates.
Some tips to get the cheapest flight tickets:
- Research Travel Agencies: Be vigilant while booking discounted flights via travel agencies. Take a quick 5-minute search to ensure their reliability and reputation. Some are trusted, while others may not provide satisfactory service.
- Track Flight Prices: Set up personalized tracking for flights of interest up to six months in advance. This helps monitor price fluctuations and secure the best deals.
- Check Multiple Search Engines: Don’t limit yourself to one search engine. Try several to maximize your chances of finding the lowest fares. In this guide below, you will find the best flight apps for iPhone and Android
- Stay Flexible with Dates: Being flexible with travel dates increases the likelihood of finding good deals. Consider weekdays instead of weekends or holidays for cheaper options.
- Use Incognito Mode: Prevent airlines from tracking your search history using incognito mode or private browsing. This can sometimes lead to lower prices.
- Book in Advance: Generally, booking flights a few weeks in advance can result in savings. However, avoid booking too far ahead, as prices may increase closer to the departure date.
- Sign Up for Alerts: Subscribe to email alerts from airlines and search engines to receive notifications about cheap flights that match your preferences.
- Consider Budget Airlines: Explore options with budget airlines such as Spirit, WizzAir, EuroWings, Vueling, Pegasus Airlines, EasyJet, or Ryanair, which often offer lower fares. Be mindful of extra fees for services like baggage and seat selection.
- Explore Alternative Airports: Flying to nearby alternative airports can sometimes lead to significant savings on airfare, especially for popular destinations.
Best Cheap Flight Apps to Buy Airline Tickets:
All being said, no airline wants to send a half-empty airplane to the destination; they want to cash the most out of a trip in any way possible, and that’s where the last-minute flight finder comes into place. You could be traveling for work, vacation, or just visiting your family; apps on iPhone and Android can help you locate the cheapest flights. In this article, we will look into all the possible and reliable cheap flight apps that can be used to tweak the arrangements of your travel plan to find the best possible flights.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner has been in the league for finding the cheapest flights for a long time, and it still stands as one of the best cheap flight apps. You can use Skyscanner to look for flights if you are traveling for vacation, visiting family, or for business. It works as a search engine for flights, bringing you all the flights and establishing the best connection between two locations via flights. It brings you all the possible flights to a certain destination as well as the cheapest ones. Once you have found the right flight, you will have the option to select from the travel agent websites that are selling the tickets at a discounted price. You also have the option to book the flight directly from the airline operator.
Since Skyscanner uses an algorithm to bring you the best possible flights, sometimes the flight connections are insane. So do check the connections and the airports before booking the flights. I have personally used Skyscanner numerous times to check the flight costs to a certain destination and to book flights. It also stands as the number one in the best flight ticker finder.
A few of the notable features that Skyscanner offers are as follows:
- Flexible Dates Search: You can search for flights across a range of dates to find the cheapest options available. This feature is particularly useful for travelers with flexible travel plans.
- Price Alerts: You can set up price alerts for specific routes and travel dates. The airline price alerts feature notifies users when prices drop or rise, enabling them to book flights at the most opportune time.
- Multi-City Search: Skyscanner offers a multi-city search option for travelers with complex itineraries or those planning multi-city trips. Users can input multiple destinations and dates to find the most convenient and cost-effective flight combinations.
- Direct vs. Indirect Flights: You can use filters to differentiate between direct and indirect flights. You can also select the maximum number of stops or layovers your flight will have.
- Airport Filters: You can specify preferred departure and arrival airports or search for flights from nearby airports to explore additional options and potentially find cheaper fares.
- Time Filters: Skyscanner offers filters to narrow down search results based on preferred departure and arrival times, allowing users to find flights that best fit their schedules.
- Flexible Booking Options: Skyscanner offers the option of booking flights directly through airlines or third-party travel agencies, allowing users to choose their preferred booking method.
- User Reviews and Ratings: Users can view reviews and ratings for airlines and booking sites, helping them make informed decisions about which flights to book.
Google Flights
Google Flights is as powerful for finding flights as the Google search engine is for everything else. The user interface of Google Flights makes it really easy to plan even complicated itineraries. It shows you the flight routes and their prices over a world map; using it, you can even select the nearby airports if the flights are cheaper from there. I recently came across Google Flights to look for flights, and I was particularly impressed with the Price Graph and Date Grid, which landed it on the list of best cheap flight apps.
The price graph in Google Flights visually represents how flight prices fluctuate over time for a specific route and travel dates. By inputting your desired departure and return dates, you can view a graphical representation of price variations over various dates.
The Date Grid feature in Google Flights provides users with a visual representation of flight prices across different dates, allowing for easy comparison and identification of the most cost-effective travel options. By selecting the “Flexible dates” option, users can view a grid displaying flight prices for an entire month or even multiple months, with each date color-coded to indicate the price range.
Other notable features of Google Flights that make it one of the best cheap flight apps are as follows:
- Price Tracking: Google Flights allows you to track flight prices and receive email notifications when prices drop, enabling you to book the cheapest flights.
- Explore Destinations: You can explore destinations based on interests, budget, and travel dates, making it easier to discover new and exciting places to visit.
- Multi-City Itineraries: Google Flights lets users plan multi-city trips by adding multiple destinations and finding the best flight combinations.
- Filters and Sorting Options: The platform offers various filters and sorting options, allowing users to refine their search results based on preferences such as airlines, departure times, and number of stops.
- Explore Map: The “Explore Map” feature allows users to visually explore flight prices to different destinations on a map, making it easier to plan trips based on budget and interests.
KIWI
KIWI is another trusted app to find cheap flights for iPhone and Android phones. Using KIWI, you can find some really good last-minute travel deals. It claims to cover all the local airlines and travel agencies that might not be present in Skyscanner or Google flights. However, the other cheap flight apps provide no support if the flight is booked via a third party. KIWI offers a guarantee to protect the passengers in case of flight cancellations or missed connections.
A few of the unique features that KIWI offers as one of the best flight ticker finders are as follows:
- Virtual Interlining: KIWI utilizes a unique virtual interlining technology, allowing users to combine flights from different airlines. This enables travelers to create more flexible and cost-effective itineraries by connecting flights that wouldn’t normally be offered together.
- Nomad: The KIWI Nomad feature is designed for adventurous travelers looking to explore multiple destinations in one trip. Nomad suggests routes based on user preferences and budget, making it easier to plan multi-city journeys with minimal hassle.
- Guarantee: KIWI guarantees to protect travelers in case of flight delays, cancellations, or missed connections. This provides peace of mind to users, knowing that their customer service will assist them in resolving any issues that may arise during their journey.
- Flexibility Filters: The app provides filters to help users customize their flight searches based on preferences such as flexible dates, nearby airports, and preferred airlines. This allows travelers to tailor their search results to meet their needs and budget.
DOHOP
DOHOP is the last one on our list of lowest-price flight ticker apps. It is a small company which was founded by a person who, like us, was looking for economic options to travel from France, where he was working, to Iceland, where his family lived. DOHOP is a notable mention in this list because it covers all the budget and local airlines in Europe and brings you the cheapest option from point A to point B. It has also won the “World Leading Flight Comparison Website” awards multiple times at the World Travel Awards.
Following are the few notable features of DOHOP:
- Smart Connection Finder: Dohop’s Smart Connection Finder identifies the best connecting flights and layover options based on user preferences, ensuring seamless travel experiences.
- Airline Integration: Dohop searches flights from a wide range of airlines and travel providers, ensuring users have access to a comprehensive selection of options.
- Real-Time Price Updates: It provides real-time updates on flight prices and availability, allowing users to make informed decisions when booking.
- User-Friendly Interface: The user-friendly interface makes it easy to search, compare, and book flights, even for users with limited technical expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about booking flights through above mentioned flight comparison platforms and flight search engines:
1. Is it safe to book from third-party travel agent websites?
Yes, it is generally safe to book flights through third-party travel agent websites. However, it’s essential to choose reputable and well-established websites with positive reviews to minimize the risk of encountering issues. Look for websites that offer secure payment options and have transparent booking policies to ensure a safe and reliable booking experience.
2. What if I need to change or cancel the flight?
In many cases, changes and cancellations may incur fees or penalties, which can vary depending on the fare type and the time of the request. It’s essential to review the booking terms carefully before confirming the reservation and to contact both the travel agent and the airline directly if changes or cancellations are necessary.
3. Is there an extra charge that these above-mentioned websites charge for booking flights?
Some websites offer free booking services and generate revenue through advertising, affiliate partnerships, or commissions from airlines and other travel providers. Additionally, be aware that some third-party websites may offer optional add-ons or services that come with extra fees, such as travel insurance or seat selection.
4. What is a flight comparison app?
A flight comparison website is a platform that allows users to compare flight prices and options from various airlines and travel agencies. These websites help users find the best deals by aggregating flight information from multiple sources in one place.
5. Can I book flights directly through flight comparison websites?
In many cases, yes. Flight comparison websites often provide links or booking forms that allow users to book flights directly through the platform. However, users may also be redirected to the airline or travel agency’s website to complete the booking process.
6. Do flight comparison websites include all airlines and routes?
While most flight comparison websites strive to include a wide range of airlines and routes, it’s impossible to cover every option comprehensively. The search results may not include smaller airlines or regional routes. It’s always good to check multiple sources for the most comprehensive view of available flights.
That wraps up our guide on the best cheap flight apps for iPhone and Android. If you have any further questions, feel free to check out the FAQs above, drop a comment below, or reach out to us via the Contact Us email. We’re here to help you find the best deals and ensure a smooth travel booking experience.