Introduction to Matrix 3.0
Are you a fare watcher? Matrix 3.0 from ITA Software doesn’t offer a fancy, eye-popping portal. In fact, it’s rather understated. However, Matrix 3.0 was rebuilt to run on Google technology, allowing you access to the prices directly quoted from the airlines. Moreover, it excludes third-party providers, making it a valuable tool for savvy travelers.
ITA is a company providing software support to major air carriers such as American, China Southern, Delta, Hawaiian, Iberia, and United. It’s noteworthy that Google acquired ITA in 2010 for $700 million, further enhancing its capabilities.
If you’re a traveler with a flexible schedule, Matrix 3.0 may significantly aid in booking outbound flights, and subsequently assist with return flight bookings when the cheapest fare is available. This tool enables you to search for the most affordable return flights, providing flexibility to your travel plans.
Drawbacks of Matrix 3.0
While Matrix 3.0 offers impressive features, it has drawbacks that may make it less appealing to some users. Notably, there is no alert feature, so you’ll need to perform continual searches until you find a suitable fare. Consequently, for those seeking ease of operation, this could be considered a significant deficiency.
Additionally, Matrix 3.0 does not facilitate direct purchases of airfares. Instead, the primary goal is to equip travelers with actionable information so they can approach the airlines with the best offer for a bargain purchase.
Many budget travelers prefer accessing services through smartphones, yet this is not a strong point for Matrix 3.0. Although there was a mobile app called “On the Fly,” it is no longer available for download. Those who currently have it will find it non-functional after December 2017. Nonetheless, the benefits of Matrix 3.0 still make it worth considering.
Features of Matrix 3.0
Matrix 3.0 offers filters for three key parameters: cost-per-mile, airport code searches, and date ranges. Depending on your travel situation, these filters can be particularly useful for budget travelers.
Another major advantage is the ability to search multiple airports. This feature is essential, as many budget travelers understand that fares can vary significantly between airports that are only a short drive apart. Thus, conducting alternative airport searches can greatly impact your overall travel costs. You can search for numerous airports by simply entering multiple codes into the departure or arrival boxes.
Baseline searches on Matrix 3.0 provide one-way fares, enabling informed shopping at your preferred search engines. Additionally, it’s interesting to compare leading carrier average prices with the overall average airfare. This comparison often reflects the specific market share a given carrier holds.
For instance, between New York and Chicago, American Airlines averages about 16 percent of the market share, which is substantial considering the competitive landscape. However, the average price at the time of this writing is somewhat lower than the American Airlines average.
In another example, when searching for air travel between Cincinnati and Salt Lake City, Delta captured 61 percent of the market share, with the average price closely matching the overall average for that route.
Your search results on Matrix 3.0 can be organized by price, airline, flight duration, or departure/arrival times. Advisory icons appear for flights with unusually long layovers or overnight options, which many travelers find less desirable. Ultimately, using Matrix 3.0 may require a more proactive approach compared to other online fare search tools. However, frequent users of this tool express loyalty and satisfaction due to its effectiveness. It’s certainly worth exploring as you endeavor to find the cheapest airfare available.
