About the study
What we tested and what the numbers mean
Measured 2026-10-20. 162 answers = 3 questions × 3 assistants × 3 languages × 2 search settings × 3 answer rounds.
Each answer began a new conversation. Search was available in half of the tests, but assistants chose whether to use it.
One answer can recommend several airlines. “Named first” is the first recommended airline in the answer. It does not mean that the answer chose it as the best.
These are API tests. Chat apps can give different answers. This is one measurement, not a trend. We do not measure bookings, customer preference or revenue.
The European question has no departure city. Language may also suggest a traveller’s location. Comparisons cannot isolate the cause of a difference.
The public edition shows selected findings, excerpts and two demo answers. It does not support a full independent recount. Request the full report to inspect all answers and comparisons.
Questions and test conditions
Trip within Europe
I’m planning a trip within Europe and choosing an airline. Which airlines would you recommend, and why?
Other languages
German
Ich plane eine Reise innerhalb Europas und suche gerade eine Fluggesellschaft aus. Welche Fluggesellschaften würdest du empfehlen und warum?Spanish
Estoy planeando un viaje por Europa y eligiendo una aerolínea. ¿Qué aerolíneas me recomendarías y por qué?London to New York, business class
I’m flying business class from London to New York. Which airlines would you recommend, and why?
Other languages
German
Ich fliege in der Business Class von London nach New York. Welche Fluggesellschaften würdest du empfehlen und warum?Spanish
Voy a volar en clase business de Londres a Nueva York. ¿Qué aerolíneas me recomendarías y por qué?London to New York, economy, value for money
I’m flying economy from London to New York and looking for the best value for money. Which airlines would you recommend, and why?
Other languages
German
Ich fliege in der Economy Class von London nach New York und suche das beste Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis. Welche Fluggesellschaften würdest du empfehlen und warum?Spanish
Voy a volar en clase turista de Londres a Nueva York y busco la mejor relación calidad-precio. ¿Qué aerolíneas me recomendarías y por qué?ChatGPT (GPT-6 Luna) · Gemini (3.5 Flash-Lite) · DeepSeek (V4.1 Flash)
English · German · Spanish
Search off and search available · 3 answer rounds · each answer in a new conversation. With search available, assistants could search the web but were not forced to.
For each assistant we used the model that, according to public information in October 2026, its free chat app used by default. Answers through the API are not identical to the apps.
Counts describe sampled answers from AI assistants through their APIs, not market share or service quality. Chat apps may give different answers. Reasons and cautions are what the answers said, not checked facts.
Recommendation counts are not market share. Being named first does not mean being the best. A difference with search does not prove its cause. API answers can differ from chat apps. These results do not predict revenue.
Independent research prototype. Not commissioned by or affiliated with any company named in this report.