Since the middle of last year, Cambridge startup Hopper has been working to help you take the guesswork out of choosing the optimal flight.
On Wednesday, the company debuted an app for iOS 8 that it says make the service like having “a super-fast, all-knowing travel agent in your pocket.”
The benefits of the new app, according to a blog post, are that it:
- Advises you whether to book now or wait for a better price.
- Provides a timeline of exactly how Hopper expects prices to trend. (Hopper claims that in 95 percent of cases, following its advice will get you a cheaper flight or at least the same price as you found.)
- Monitors prices (24/7) and alerts you if prices drop or are expected to rise.
You can activate the last feature in Hopper by selecting “Watch a Trip.” From the blog post:
The earlier you start watching, the more likely you are to be alerted to a deal. On some routes, you could save upwards of 40% over the best price from your initial search.
Founded in 2008, Hopper has raised $22 million in funding from investors including Atlas Venture. Initially, the vision was to help consumers more easily discover new travel destinations. But the startup pivoted last year after realizing that it has been accumulating valuable data on flights, which could be used to help consumers find the best airfare.
