An overview of Skyscanner
Skyscanner is a travel search engine that allows users to compare and book flights, hotels, and car rentals from a wide range of travel providers. It is one of the most popular travel search engines in the world, with over 100 million users per month.
Skyscanner was founded in 2001 in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is now headquartered in Edinburgh and has offices in over 10 countries around the world. The company is owned by Trip.com Group, a Chinese travel conglomerate.
Skyscanner is a metasearch engine, meaning that it does not sell its own flights, hotels, or car rentals. Instead, it aggregates prices from a wide range of travel providers, including airlines, hotels, car rental companies, and online travel agencies. This allows users to compare prices from different providers side-by-side and find the best deals.
To use Skyscanner, users simply enter their travel details, such as their desired destination, travel dates, and number of passengers. Skyscanner will then search a wide range of travel providers and display the best prices for flights, hotels, and car rentals. Users can then filter the results by price, airline, hotel rating, and other factors.
Skyscanner Features
Skyscanner is a popular travel booking website that allows users to compare prices for flights, hotels, and car rentals. It offers a variety of features to help users find the best deals, including:
- Everywhere search: This feature allows users to search for flights to anywhere in the world, without having to enter a specific destination. This is a great way to find inspiration for new travel destinations.
- Price alerts: Users can set up price alerts for specific flights, hotels, or car rentals. This will notify them by email or push notification when the price of their chosen item drops.
- Price prediction: This feature uses machine learning to predict whether the price of a flight is likely to go up or down. This can help users decide whether to book a flight now or wait for a better price.
- Flexible dates: Users can search for flights by month or year, rather than by specific dates. This is a great way to find the cheapest flights, as prices can vary depending on the time of year.
- Multiple cities: Users can book flights for multiple cities in one trip. This is a great option for users who are planning a multi-city trip.
- Filter options: Users can filter their search results by a variety of criteria, including airline, airport, flight duration, and number of stops.
- Hotel and car rental search: In addition to flights, Skyscanner also compares prices for hotels and car rentals. This makes it easy to find all of your travel needs in one place.
- Price comparison: Skyscanner compares prices from a variety of travel websites, so users can be sure they are getting the best deal.
- Map view: Users can view flight prices on a map, which can help them find the cheapest flights to a particular region.
- Mobile app: Skyscanner has a mobile app that allows users to search for and book travel on the go.
How Does Skyscanner Work?
Skyscanner is a travel metasearch engine that aggregates and compares flight, hotel, and car rental prices from a wide range of online travel agencies (OTAs) and airlines. It does not sell travel directly, but instead redirects users to the OTA or airline website to complete their booking.
Here’s how Skyscanner works:
- Data Collection: Skyscanner gathers data from various sources, including direct partnerships with airlines and OTAs, as well as web scraping publicly available information. This data includes flight schedules, fares, availability, hotel rates, and car rental options.
- Price Comparison: Skyscanner’s algorithms process the collected data to compare prices across different providers and present users with the most affordable options. It considers factors like total price, including taxes and fees, as well as travel duration and flexibility.
- Search and Filtering: Users can search for flights, hotels, or car rentals on Skyscanner by specifying their desired destination, travel dates, and other relevant parameters. Skyscanner then filters the aggregated data to display only the options that match the user’s search criteria.
- User Interface: Skyscanner’s user-friendly interface allows users to easily search for flights, hotels, and car rentals based on their desired destination, dates, and preferences. They can filter results based on price, airline, flight duration, and other criteria.
- Data Aggregation: Skyscanner partners with various travel providers to access their real-time pricing and availability data. This data is gathered through direct connections (APIs) or by scraping publically available information from travel websites.
- Price Alerts: Skyscanner offers price alerts, which notify users via email or push notifications when the price of their desired flight or hotel changes. This helps users keep track of prices and potentially score better deals.
- Referral Revenue: Skyscanner generates revenue by charging referral fees to OTAs and airlines when a user clicks on their link and completes a booking. It does not charge users any fees for using its service.
- Partnerships: Skyscanner has partnerships with major airlines and OTAs, giving it access to a wide range of travel options and prices. These partnerships are crucial for maintaining its competitive edge in the travel metasearch market.
How does work Skyscanner helps option?
Skyscanner’s “Help” option provides comprehensive support to users with various travel-related needs. It offers a central hub for accessing assistance with flight searches, bookings, and other travel-related queries. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects covered by the “Help” option:
- Flight Search Assistance:
- Comprehensive guides on how to use Skyscanner’s flight search functionality, including navigating the website, setting search preferences, and interpreting search results.
- Walkthroughs on how to compare fares, filter options, and identify the most suitable flight deals.
- Tips and advice on optimizing flight searches, including using flexible dates, exploring alternative airports, and considering stopover options.
- Flight Booking Assistance:
- Step-by-step guides on how to book flights directly through Skyscanner or through the partner airline or travel agency.
- Information on handling bookings, including managing passengers, changing or cancelling flights, and managing travel insurance.
- Guidance on handling payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and other accepted payment options.
- General Travel Assistance:
- FAQs covering a wide range of travel-related topics, such as baggage restrictions, visa requirements, packing tips, and currency exchange.
- Information on travel insurance, including coverage options, policy details, and the process of claiming benefits.
- Tips and advice for planning and organizing trips, including booking accommodation, coordinating transportation, and managing travel documents.
- Technical Support:
- Resources for troubleshooting common technical issues, such as website errors, app malfunctions, and payment processing problems.
- Contact information for reaching Skyscanner’s customer support team for further assistance.
- Instructions on how to submit feedback and suggestions for improving the Skyscanner platform.
Skyscanner pros and cons
Pros of Skyscanner:
- Vast Search Coverage: Skyscanner aggregates flight information from a wide range of airlines, including budget carriers, major airlines, and low-cost carriers, providing a comprehensive overview of flight options.
- Flexible Date Search: Skyscanner allows users to search for flights with flexible dates, enabling them to find the most affordable fares by considering multiple dates within a specified period.
- Price Alerts: Users can set up price alerts to receive notifications when the price of a flight they’re interested in drops, allowing them to snag the best deals.
- Comparative Search Options: Skyscanner displays multiple flight options from different airlines, allowing users to compare prices, routes, and amenities to make informed decisions.
- Mobile App Availability: Skyscanner offers a user-friendly mobile app that provides the same features and functionality as the website, making it convenient to search for and book flights on the go.
Cons of Skyscanner:
- Pricing Accuracy: While Skyscanner strives to provide accurate pricing information, some users have reported experiencing inaccuracies, particularly when searching for flights with multiple legs.
- Third-Party Bookings: Skyscanner directs users to third-party websites to complete their bookings, which may involve additional fees and potential hidden costs.
- Limited Customer Support: Skyscanner’s customer support resources are primarily focused on resolving technical issues, leaving users with limited assistance regarding booking-related concerns.
- Potential for Ghost Fares: Ghost fares are misleading flight options that may appear available on Skyscanner but are no longer valid, causing frustration for users who attempt to book them.
- Limited Currency Options: Skyscanner’s search results default to displaying prices in the user’s current location, which may not be the most beneficial currency for booking flights.
Conclusion
Skyscanner is a renowned travel metasearch engine that empowers travelers to find and book the best deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars. With its user-friendly interface, comprehensive search capabilities, and extensive network of partners, Skyscanner has become a go-to resource for millions of travelers worldwide.
Key Advantages of Skyscanner:
- Unbiased Price Comparisons: Skyscanner aggregates data from numerous airlines, travel agencies, and online travel providers, allowing users to compare prices and identify the most affordable options.
- Flexible Search Filters: Users can refine their search results using various filters, including travel dates, preferred airlines, stopovers, and flight times, ensuring they find the flights that match their specific needs.
- Price Alerts and Notifications: Skyscanner enables users to set up price alerts for their desired routes, receiving notifications when prices fluctuate or drop, helping them seize the best deals.
- User-Friendly Interface: Skyscanner’s website and mobile app are designed for ease of use, with intuitive navigation and clear presentation of search results.
- Global Reach: Skyscanner operates in over 70 countries and supports over 30 languages, catering to a diverse range of travelers worldwide.
Overall Assessment:
Skyscanner has established itself as a leading travel metasearch engine, providing travelers with a valuable tool for finding and booking the best deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars. Its comprehensive search capabilities, user-friendly interface, and global reach make it an essential resource for travelers of all types.
Recommendation:
Skyscanner is highly recommended for travelers seeking to compare prices, find the best deals, and plan their trips effectively. Its user-friendly platform and extensive network of partners make it a valuable tool for anyone planning a journey.
Skyscanner FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Skyscanner:
General questions
- What is Skyscanner? Skyscanner is a travel search engine that helps you compare prices for flights, hotels, and car rentals. It is a free service that does not charge any commission or fees.
- How does Skyscanner work? Skyscanner searches billions of prices across the web to find you the best deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals. It then displays the results in a clear and easy-to-compare format.
- Is Skyscanner safe to use? Yes, Skyscanner is a safe and secure website. It uses industry-standard encryption to protect your personal information.
- How can I contact Skyscanner customer support? You can contact Skyscanner customer support by email, phone, or live chat. You can also find answers to your questions in the Skyscanner Help Center.
Booking questions
- How do I book a flight, hotel, or car rental on Skyscanner? Once you have found the best deal on Skyscanner, you can click on the “Select” button to be taken to the website of the airline, hotel, or car rental company. You will then be able to complete your booking directly with them.
- What if I need to change or cancel my booking? For changes, cancellations, or refunds, you will need to contact the airline, hotel, or car rental company that you booked your trip with. Skyscanner does not process bookings, so they will not be able to help you with this.
- Are Skyscanner tickets refundable? Whether or not your tickets are refundable will depend on the airline or travel agent that you booked your trip with. You will need to contact them directly to find out their refund policy.
Other questions
- Does Skyscanner charge any fees? No, Skyscanner does not charge any fees for its services. It is a free service that makes money through advertising and affiliate marketing.
- How can I get the best deals on Skyscanner? There are a few things you can do to get the best deals on Skyscanner:
- Be flexible with your travel dates.
- Book your flights in advance.
- Consider flying on budget airlines.
- Sign up for Skyscanner price alerts.
- What is Skyscanner Price Alerts? Skyscanner Price Alerts allows you to track the price of a flight and receive an email notification when the price drops.
- Can I use Skyscanner to book flights from my mobile phone? Yes, Skyscanner has a mobile app that you can use to book flights from your iPhone or Android device.