[throwaway0223]

Correct, but in this case people went to Google to search for flights, so one may argue the user wants to see, well, flight information. Yet, despite Google knowing the answer, it cannot show to users, per DMA.

Instead, Google needs to send the user to a 3P website, which may or may not have the information the user is looking for. And the 3P website needs to monetize its traffic, so you should expect another wave of ads (in addition to the ones you already saw at google.com), plus cookie consent banners, affiliate links, offer for hotels, car rental, etc.

Is this a better experience for users?

[tapoxi]

Google does not want to show them flight information, it wants to make money. They happen to be showing flight information right now. Their interests do not align with yours.

The DMA ensures a healthy competitive market which keeps enshittification at bay by keeping "using a competing service" a viable threat.

[terminalshort]

Google Flights is the best and by far the least "enshitified" flight booking app. There is already a competitive market and I use Google because it's better.

[p_l]

It's already cut down compared to its pre-google interfaces though