If you're short on time, here's a quick answer to your question: Google Flights often displays cheaper fares because it pulls price data from multiple sources, including airline sites and online travel agencies.

Google Flights itself is not a booking agent and does not "set" prices; it is a meta-search engine that aggregates data from hundreds of airlines and Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). It often appears "cheaper" because it defaults to showing the absolute lowest base fare, which frequently excludes basic amenities like carry-on bags, seat selection, or flight changes. These "Basic Economy" fares can be misleading until you reach the checkout page and see the added fees. Additionally, Google Flights may display fares from "sketchy" or low-cost OTAs that the airlines' own websites do not list. Another reason for the price difference is data caching; sometimes Google's results are based on a scan from several minutes or hours ago, and by the time you click through to the airline, the real-time fare has increased. To get the most accurate comparison in 2026, you should always use the "Bags" filter on Google Flights to see the "true" cost including your luggage, as a $40 price gap can quickly vanish once you add a single checked suitcase.