Google Flights MCP Server

# SerpAPI vs fast-flights: Feature Comparison This document compares the two data sources used by the Google Flights MCP Server. ## Quick Summary - **SerpAPI**: Primary source with rich data (250 free searches/month) - **fast-flights**: Fallback source with basic data (unlimited, free) ## Feature Comparison Table | Feature | SerpAPI | fast-flights | |---------|---------|--------------| | **Basic Flight Info** | ✅ | ✅ | | Price, airline, times | ✅ | ✅ | | Is best flag | ✅ | ✅ | | **Flight Details** ||| | Flight numbers (e.g., "DL 548") | ✅ | ❌ | | Airplane model | ✅ | ❌ | | Legroom measurements | ✅ | ❌ | | Overnight flag | ✅ | ❌ | | Delay history | ✅ | ❌ | | Amenities (Wi-Fi, power, etc.) | ✅ | ❌ | | **Layovers** ||| | Layover details | ✅ Full details | ❌ Count only | | Airport name | ✅ | ❌ | | Duration (minutes) | ✅ | ❌ | | Overnight flag | ✅ | ❌ | | **Carbon Emissions** ||| | Per-flight emissions | ✅ | ❌ | | Typical for route | ✅ | ❌ | | Difference percentage | ✅ | ❌ | | **Price Intelligence** ||| | Historical prices | ✅ | ❌ | | Price level (high/low) | ✅ | ❌ | | Typical price range | ✅ | ❌ | | Price trends | ✅ | ❌ | | **Booking** ||| | Multi-seller comparison | ✅ | ❌ | | Baggage fee comparison | ✅ | ❌ | | Direct booking links | ✅ | ✅ | | **Cost** ||| | Free tier | 250/month | Unlimited | | Paid plans | From $50/month | N/A | | **Architecture** ||| | Round-trip requests | 2 (outbound + return) | 1 | | Response time | ~0.7s | ~2-5s | ## Detailed Feature Breakdown ### 1. Flight Numbers **SerpAPI Example:** ```json { "flight_number": "DL 548", "marketed_as": ["DL 548", "KL 6123"] } ``` **fast-flights:** Not available **Why it matters:** Needed for check-in, seat selection, flight tracking --- ### 2. Layover Details **SerpAPI Example:** ```json { "layovers": [ { "airport_code": "ATL", "airport_name": "Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport", "duration": 180, "overnight": false } ] } ``` **fast-flights:** Only provides `"stops": 1` **Why it matters:** - Know where you'll be waiting - See if layover is overnight (might need hotel) - Plan for short connections vs long waits --- ### 3. Carbon Emissions **SerpAPI Example:** ```json { "carbon_emissions": { "this_flight_grams": 850000, "typical_for_route_grams": 780000, "difference_percent": 9 } } ``` **fast-flights:** Not available **Why it matters:** Eco-conscious travelers can choose greener options --- ### 4. Price Insights **SerpAPI Example:** ```json { "price_insights": { "lowest_price": 1339, "price_level": "high", "typical_price_range": [570, 1050], "price_history": [ [1691424000, 1877], [1696176000, 2512] ] } } ``` **fast-flights:** Not available **Why it matters:** - **Critical for booking decisions**: "Should I book now or wait?" - Shows if current price is high/low/typical - Historical trends reveal if prices are rising or falling --- ### 5. Multi-Seller Booking Options **SerpAPI Example:** ```json { "booking_options": [ { "book_with": "Delta", "price": 464, "baggage_prices": ["1st checked bag: $35"] }, { "book_with": "Expedia", "price": 478, "baggage_prices": ["1st checked bag: $40"] } ] } ``` **fast-flights:** Single Google Flights URL only **Why it matters:** - Compare prices across booking sites - See different baggage policies - Find the best total price (flight + bags) --- ### 6. Delay History **SerpAPI Example:** ```json { "often_delayed_by_over_30_min": true } ``` **fast-flights:** Not available **Why it matters:** Avoid unreliable flights for important trips --- ## When to Use Each ### Use SerpAPI When: - ✅ You have API key (free 250/month) - ✅ Users need detailed trip planning - ✅ Price insights matter ("book now or wait?") - ✅ Flight numbers needed for check-in - ✅ Layover details important - ✅ Eco-conscious travelers (carbon data) - ✅ Multi-seller price comparison needed ### Use fast-flights When: - ✅ No SerpAPI key available - ✅ Quick basic searches only - ✅ High volume (>250 searches/month) - ✅ Simplicity over features ## Cost Analysis ### SerpAPI Free Tier - **250 searches/month free** - Perfect for personal use - ~8 searches per day - Example: Search LAX→NYC = 1 search ### SerpAPI Paid Plans Starting at **$50/month** for: - 5,000 searches/month - Commercial usage - Priority support ### fast-flights - **Unlimited searches** - **Always free** - Self-hosted scraping - May be rate-limited by Google ## Migration Impact The server **automatically handles** the choice: 1. **SerpAPI key present** → Use SerpAPI 2. **SerpAPI fails or quota exhausted** → Fall back to fast-flights 3. **No SerpAPI key** → Use fast-flights **No code changes needed** - just set `SERPAPI_API_KEY` environment variable. ## Getting SerpAPI Key 1. Sign up: [serpapi.com/users/sign_up](https://serpapi.com/users/sign_up) 2. Get free 250 searches/month 3. Copy your API key 4. Set environment variable: `SERPAPI_API_KEY=your_key_here` ## Response Format Differences ### SerpAPI Response ```json { "source": "serpapi", "flights": [...], "price_insights": {...}, "search_metadata": {...} } ``` ### fast-flights Response ```json { "source": "fast-flights", "flights": [...], "booking_url": "https://...", "note": "Using fast-flights v2.2. For richer data, configure SERPAPI_API_KEY." } ``` ## Recommendation **For best experience:** 1. ✅ Get free SerpAPI key (250 searches/month) 2. ✅ Configure `SERPAPI_API_KEY` environment variable 3. ✅ Enjoy rich flight data with automatic fallback to fast-flights This gives you the best of both worlds: - Rich data when available - Unlimited fallback when quota exhausted