Google AI Mode is delivering personalised answers in search without requiring hours of clicking, disrupting the travel market like never before. Back in 2011, it started with Google Flights, bringing a noticeable shift in how users compare airfares. Then, the now-defunct Trips app had a short but unsuccessful run in 2016, turning emails into itineraries. By 2019, its dedicated Travel section brought bookings, research, and planning into one hub.

Currently, you will spot AI Mode housed in a separate tab, but Google has confirmed its plan to make it the default experience within the next year. That means travellers asking questions like “What are the best family-friendly beaches in Bali?” or “Where can I take a cooking class in Milan?” may get their answers directly from Google itself, rather than from the brands that used to rank in the results.

Also, learn how you can now sort Google Flight search results with its new search filter.

Planning a trip with Google has just changed: Here’s how AI Mode works

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What is ‘AI Mode’?

Google’s AI Mode — the experimental search feature that lets users ask complex, multi-part questions through an AI interface — first began rolling out to all US users the week of May 20, 2025, following its announcement at Google’s annual I/O developer conference. In this short period, the new update has significantly impacted a vast number of businesses and industries, particularly the travel sector.

Recently, the company also introduced Deep Search within AI Mode. “For questions where you want an even more thorough response, we’re bringing deep research capabilities into AI Mode with Deep Search,” Google stated in a blog post. “It can issue hundreds of searches, reason across disparate pieces of information, and create an expert-level, fully-cited report in just minutes—saving you hours of research.”

How is Google AI Mode impacting travel planning?

Search Engine Land found that, beginning April 25-26, AI Overviews in the travel category grew by 108.09 percent, driven largely by a surge in “things to do” searches. “The ‘things to do’ trend is booming — 93.78 percent of new travel AI Overviews focus on location-specific activities (e.g., [things to do in Buffalo, NY], [things to do in Providence this weekend]) and trigger full AI-generated destination guides.”

Will AI replace Google search?

“This is not just another AI Overview snippet. It’s a full conversational engine designed to mimic the experience of speaking with a personal travel agent,” explains Brennen Bliss, CEO of Propellic, an AI-first digital marketing agency specialising in travel and tourism. “My prediction? This becomes the default search experience within 12 months, not the two to three years most people are assuming.”

Can you ask AI Mode to book a flight or hotel?

While Google doesn’t yet allow direct travel bookings through AI Mode, that could change soon. The company is working on a separate commercial layer, known internally as Project Mariner, that may eventually connect recommendations with real-time availability and pricing.

(Feature image credit: Google)

Related | How To Use Google Flights To Save Money, According To A Google Employee

Note:

The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.

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