Frequent flyers rejoice! Google Flights is reportedly testing out a filter to exclude Basic Economy flights from its search results. This appears to be on a trial basis and not everyone, myself included, can see the option at this time.
As first reported by Thrifty Traveler, Google Flights is apparently trialing a filter that will allow users to eliminate Basic Economy flights from it’s search results. Say goodbye to flights on ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) with eight hour layovers that trick you into thinking a flight will be cheap.
As someone who has only flown with a ULCC once, and in Spirit’s Big Front Seat at that, I can’t wait to see this filter fully enabled for Google Flights users. As of now, the filter appears to work for select users on flights within the United States and between the United States and Canada.
This is the second major addition for Google Flights in as many years after the search engine added Southwest Airlines flights to the tool last year.
I’m curious to see how many people can utilize the filter and see how broadly this is being tested. I’m hopeful (hello Google) that I’m able to see this filter in the near future as I’m tired of getting fooled on the search results only to see a much higher Economy fare.
UPDATE: While I can’t access the filter when logged in to Google Chrome, I was able to access it when using an Incognito browser. If you’re unable to see the filter try accessing Google Flights that way.
Summary
Google Flights appears to be trialing a new feature that will allow users to filter out Basic Economy flights in their searches. Not everyone can see the filter at this point but I hope that they roll this out broadly soon.
