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Comments (22)
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Save/ShareIt should come as no surprise that I'm a bit of an obsessive when it comes to searching for flights online. This is my job, after all, and I pursue flight search with the same fervor that I seek out a sweet sample sale deal.
My secret tool, however, is now out for public consumption, and I guess I consider it my responsibility to share it with the world.
Meet ITASoftware.com. If you can remember the clunky URL, you will be happy. ITA Software, which was recently acquired by Google for a cool $700 million in cash, is a travel data clearinghouse that supplies everyone from Bing to Orbitz to Kayak with all of their flight info. That's right. Most search engines pull the same information; they just slice it and deliver it in different ways.
ITA Software isn't new; it was founded in 1996 by MIT computer scientists. But the owners have given it a face lift that makes it more palatable for public consumption. While it used to look like it was built, in fact, in 1996, the site has been upgraded and streamlined, with one of those handy matrices that lays out all the options. They've even created something I've never seen before: a sideways chart detailing flight options by time, using color-coded time bars. Their new free, 4-star app, "OntheFly" makes detailed search totally doable via an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad.
Neither the site nor the app allows for booking. It just gives you all the tools at your fingertips, and lets you customize search as you see fit, and you can be sure you're seeing everything that exists. Where you choose to book your preferred flight combo—via the airline directly or an OTA (Orbitz, Travelocity, Expedia, Kayak)—is entirely up to you.
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I have been using it for years and it is the best one out there.
However, the site was just re-designed and once you register, use this URL to get right into the flight search engine: http://matrix1.itasoftware.com/cvg/dispatch
Posted By Steve From TravelingProfessor.com on August 17, 2010, 4:22 PM
Um. ITA isn't exactly a secret. I've been using it for ages and so have many people I know.
Posted By WC on August 18, 2010, 9:45 AM
I just went to this site & typed in my information for travel this November. It was actually $60 higher than everyone else? What gives? where is the secret?
Posted By Jason Wright on August 19, 2010, 12:23 PM
I've been using this tool for years and has been very useful.
Posted By Glenda on August 19, 2010, 12:33 PM
Thank you Steve! I have been missing the old flight search engine and you just showed me how to find it again.
I have been using itasoftware for years and have featured it in my newsletters many times for my clients.
Posted By JK on August 19, 2010, 12:56 PM
I have never heard of it....willing to give it a try! thank you..............mm
Posted By MaryMargaret on August 19, 2010, 12:57 PM
Count me as one who's never heard of the site. Thanks Nina!
Posted By mo on August 19, 2010, 1:02 PM
I am not so sure about this. Does not seem to list Southwest. Which is always the cheapest from Oakland to Chicago Midway.
Posted By Jodi on August 19, 2010, 2:12 PM
Their prices always include the fees and taxes, so at first glance they look higher. They are not permitted to show Southwest pricing. Been using them for more then 10 years and they always are the best. But, you need to watch all the check boxes. For instance, some low fares will not be found if you ask it to check seat availability (because it can't on some airlines).
Posted By DGM on August 19, 2010, 2:58 PM
I adore ITA. I used it for years but lost the URL when my computer went belly up. I couldn't remember the name of the site, just that I loved it. Thanks so much for cluing me back in.
Can't say I like the new site much, though. I was quite happy with the old one. Not that looks really matter.
Posted By Ducklady on August 19, 2010, 3:54 PM
Never heard of this site. Thanks for the tip!
Posted By Jaclyn on August 19, 2010, 4:03 PM
I've been using ita for awhile and love it! The only thing I wish it had was tracking muli city flights.
Posted By Joyce Ellis on August 19, 2010, 8:02 PM
allegiant airlines based in different cities and goes to small cities for alot lower fares.
Posted By riza on August 19, 2010, 11:30 PM
I'm new to ITA and am finding some great prices there, but when I check the same flights on Kayak/Bing/Priceline etc. to purchase tickets, the prices are much higher. Does anyone know the reason for this? Do those low ITA prices truly exist, and if so, how can I take advantage of them??
Thanks!
Posted By CK on October 4, 2010, 3:14 PM
@ CK: While finding your flights on sites like ITA & Kayak is the best way to go, you should always try to book your flights through the airlines directly. Not only will you typically get at least the price the search engines show, but should there be any complications on your trip like late flights causing missed connections or completely canceled flights, your going to be in a lot better position to get things straightened out if you don't have some middleman like Expedia or Travelocity in the way.
Posted By Paddy on December 5, 2010, 3:55 PM
I have never heard of ITA. Thanks for this!
Posted By Gini on January 6, 2011, 5:37 PM
www.lodgingtalk.com
The fun, friendly Travel Search Engine. No hard sell price bargain here. You get the best deal on LodgingTalk.com because we search 1000's of Travel Sites for you.
Posted By Jessie on February 9, 2012, 2:29 AM
Vielen Dank für dieses Blog-es ist toll! Ich mag diese Art von Menschen, die Wissen mit anderen zu teilen.
Posted By wypadek on March 6, 2012, 4:07 PM
Es war schön, diesen Artikel zu lesen. Im Moment bin ich wirklich versuchen, einen Blog begonnen für meine Website! Wünscht mir Glück!
Posted By wypadek on March 7, 2012, 8:51 PM
this particular is something i get never ever read.really detailed analysis.
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Posted By roof leak on April 15, 2012, 12:07 PM
This site is much higher than govoyages.fr or skyscanner.com for flights in and out of Europe. Maybe it's only for Americans
Posted By marc on April 19, 2012, 1:59 PM