If you use Chrome for Skyscanner web app, you might be looking for ways to make your flight searches faster and smoother. Skyscanner is a fantastic tool for finding cheap flights, but running it in Chrome can sometimes feel slower than it should be. Let me share some helpful tips to optimize your experience when using Chrome for the Skyscanner web app.
Why Skyscanner Can Feel Slow in Chrome
The Skyscanner web app does a lot of work behind the scenes. It searches through thousands of flight options, compares prices from different airlines, and displays results in a visually appealing format. All of this requires memory and processing power from your browser.
When you have many tabs open or several Chrome extensions running, Skyscanner might not get the resources it needs to work quickly. Chrome itself uses a fair amount of memory, and when you add other applications into the mix, your flight searches can feel sluggish. Understanding this helps you know what to adjust.
Close Unrelated Tabs
One of the easiest ways to speed up Skyscanner is to close tabs you are not using. Each open tab consumes memory, and Skyscanner performs best when it has adequate resources available. If you typically keep twenty or thirty tabs open while planning trips, your flight searches might be slower than they need to be.
Before starting a new flight search, close the tabs you do not need at that moment. Keep Skyscanner in its own tab or window if possible. This simple change can make a noticeable difference in how quickly results load.
Use Tab Suspending Extensions
If you frequently keep many tabs open for later reference, consider using a tab suspending extension. These tools automatically put inactive tabs to sleep, freeing up memory for the tabs you are actively using. One option worth looking at is Tab Suspender Pro, which can help manage your open tabs without you having to manually close and reopen them.
When Skyscanner is in a suspended tab, it will wake up quickly when you click on it, and your other tabs will run smoother in the meantime. This approach is especially helpful if you like to research multiple destinations at once but do not want to constantly manage which tabs are open.
Disable Unnecessary Extensions
Browser extensions are handy tools, but they can slow down Chrome significantly. Each extension runs code in the background, and some of them can interfere with how websites like Skyscanner function. If you have many extensions installed, try disabling the ones you do not need while searching for flights.
To manage your extensions, type chrome://extensions in your address bar and review what is installed. Disable anything you have not used in the past week. You can always turn them back on when you need them.
Some extensions, particularly ad blockers, privacy tools, or script managers, can sometimes cause issues with how Skyscanner loads search results. If you notice problems after installing a new extension, try disabling it temporarily to see if that resolves the issue.
Enable Chrome Memory Saver
Chrome has a built-in feature called Memory Saver that helps manage how much memory Chrome uses. When enabled, Chrome will automatically reduce memory usage for tabs you have not looked at in a while. This means more resources are available for the tabs you are actively using, including Skyscanner.
To find this feature, go to Chrome settings and look for Performance or Memory Saver. Turning it on can help your browser run smoother, especially when you have multiple applications open or limited RAM available.
Clear Your Browser Cache
Over time, Chrome stores cached data from websites to help them load faster. However, this cached data can sometimes become outdated or too large, potentially causing issues. Clearing your cache periodically can help Skyscanner run more smoothly.
To clear your cache, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete on Windows or Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac. Select the time range and check the box for cached images and files. This will not log you out of websites or delete your saved passwords, but it will remove temporary files that might be slowing things down.
Use a Separate Profile for Travel Planning
If you use Chrome for both work and personal browsing, consider creating a separate profile for travel planning. This keeps your work extensions and settings separate from your travel research. It can also help Chrome run more efficiently since each profile manages its own set of extensions and cached data.
To create a new profile, click on your profile icon in Chrome and select Add profile. Give it a name related to travel or personal use, and you can customize its settings independently.
Check Your Internet Connection
While not specifically a Chrome issue, a slow internet connection can make Skyscanner feel unresponsive. If your flight searches are taking a long time, try running a speed test to check your connection. If you are on WiFi, try moving closer to your router or connecting with a cable for more stable speeds.
Skyscanner needs to communicate with multiple airline databases to show you flight options. A faster, more stable connection will help these searches complete more quickly.
Keep Chrome Updated
Chrome regularly releases updates that include performance improvements and bug fixes. Running an outdated version of Chrome might mean missing out on optimizations that could make Skyscanner run faster. Make sure Chrome is set to update automatically, or check for updates regularly in your settings.
Consider Using Skyscanner as a Web App
Instead of just opening Skyscanner in a regular tab, you can install it as a web app. This opens Skyscanner in its own dedicated window without the Chrome interface, which can feel cleaner and sometimes run more smoothly. Look for the install icon in your address bar when visiting Skyscanner to try this option.
Tips from the team behind Tab Suspender Pro and the Zovo extension suite at zovo.one