Flight status methods: Google vs. 1-800-Flights
1-800-Flights launched this week boasting a free service to travelers who want to find out if a flight is on time—or as has been the case for many this summer—late. My first thought was, call? Isn’t calling too slow? Why should I call when Google SMS, FlightStats and Orbitz have mobile applications that deliver the same information faster?
The new 1-800-Flights service is easy to remember. I’ll give them that. But cell phones these days have so many features, such as quick dial, that frequent fliers can just push one or two buttons and get straight to their airline number. Anyway, I thought I’d give them a fair shake and do a little experiment. Note: You have to say the full airline name, abbreviations won’t work. Check out the 1-800-Flights FAQ for more rules.
Google vs. 1-800-Flights
My husband and I each tested one method at the same time for the same flight information (Delta #1423 from Atlanta to Los Angeles). We set the stopwatch and John texted Google the airline and flight number while I called 1-800-Flights (800-354-4487) with the same info. Who do you think returned the arrival info faster?
Results:
Google SMS took 53 seconds
1-800-Flights was 122 seconds
I’m sure we could run this test a number of ways between airline websites and a variety of mobile applications.
Do you have another method that can take on Google flight status? Tell me who you want me to test in the comments and I’ll do it.
5 Comments on “Flight status methods: Google vs. 1-800-Flights”
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October 3rd, 2007 at 12:24 am
Why are you complaining about a free service? So it takes two minutes to find the inforamtion. Instead of blasting a service, I sould think that someone who is supposed to be looking out for the best interests of your readers would simply pass along this convenience without complaining about it.
October 3rd, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Hi Alex,
Thanks for your comment. I felt that by testing the service and offering alternatives, that was a good thing for our readers.
Jen Leo
Keynote blogger, L.A. Times Daily Travel Blog
October 3rd, 2007 at 12:57 pm
One way to save time while you’re on the go is to sign up for FlightStats SMS alerts. The status will come to you and save you about 50 of the 53 seconds you spent on Google.
[Ed.: David works in product planning and business development at FlightStats]
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:26 pm
The 2 SMS messages on Verizon cost me 20 cents total, whereas the call probably won’t cost me anything. Plus it’s easy to call when I’m driving and not so easy to text.
Plus my non-geek parents can understand a toll free call but don’t know what sms is.
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:55 am
I do have a texting plan but realized that many people still do not have a texting plan and the messages will cost them more money.
Also people who are driving can use their bluetooth to call 1.800.Flights but cannot text google.
also I found another way to get flight status quicker. Text the airline code and flight number to 44636.