Virgin America's New Service to/from Newark + Intro Sale
As of April 2, Virgin America (tel. 877/359.8474; www.virginamerica.com) will begin new service to/from Newark Liberty EWR. Nonstop flights operate three times daily from both Los Angles LAX and San Francisco SFO.
Intro fares start at $298 round-trip (or $149 one-way), for travel from April 2 through June 5. Additional sale fares are available along other routes, including New York to/from Palm Springs for $290 round-trip, for travel on Saturdays from January 12 through March 20.
Additional sale fares available for Tuesday/Wednesday travel from January 7 through March 20. Tickets require a 21-day advance purchase. Slightly higher sale fares available for travel on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Tickets must be booked by December 14. Round-trip, non-stop fares with all taxes added include:
- Newark to San Francisco: $298
- Newark to Los Angeles: $298
- New York to Palm Springs: $290
- San Francisco to Palm Springs: $98
Winter Deals to Africa & the Middle East
Liven up your ho-hum winter with a trip to Africa or the Middle East. From KLM (tel. 800/374-7747; www.klm.com), sale fares are valid for travel from December 24 through January 1, and again from January 5 through March 20.
Fares require a minimum Saturday night stay, with an allowed max of one month.
All tickets must be booked by December 16. Round-trip fares with all taxes added include:
- San Francisco to Dubai: $1,079
- Washington, D.C. to Accra: $1,066
For winter travel to Nairobi and Cape Town, we spotted lower fares with Turkish Airlines, Emirates, and South African Airways.
- New York to Nairobi: $926
- Washington, D.C. to Nairobi: $1,019
- Los Angeles to Nairobi: $1,082
- Washington, D.C. to Cape Town: $1,018
Denver Deals from Frontier
From Frontier (tel. 800/432-1359; www.flyfrontier.com), save on travel to/from Denver through May 15, Mondays through Saturdays.
Avoid blackout dates: December 21-23 and December 26, 2012 through January 6, 2013; and February 14-15 and 18; and March 15-17, 22-24, and 28-31; and April 5-8, 2013
Other carriers (United, AirTran) may be matching along some routes.
Round-trip, non-stop fares with all taxes added include:
- Philadelphia to Denver: $162
- Orlando to Denver: $162
- Atlanta to Denver: $166
- Ft. Lauderdale to Denver: $158
- Indianapolis to Denver: $130
- Omaha to Denver: $100
AirTran Sale Ends This Week
AirTran's (tel. 800/AIR-TRAN; www.airtran.com) current sale is valid for travel any day of the week from January 7 through May 15. Travel to/from Florida is valid only on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
Avoid blackout dates: February 15-18, March 8-15 & 22, and April 1 & 5, 2013. Valid for travel to and from Florida February 15-18, March 7-23 & 28, and April 1 & 5.
All bookings must be made by 11:59pm PT, December 13.
Round-trip fares with all taxes added include:
- Atlanta to Columbus: $138
- Baltimore to Orlando: $212
- Boston to Orlando: $148
- Boston to Las Vegas: $188
- Philadelphia to Los Angeles: $272
- Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale: $204
- Washington, D.C. to Tampa: $178
Last Days: Southwest Sale Ends Thursday
The current sale from Southwest (tel. 800/435-9792; www.southwest.com) is valid for Monday through Saturday travel, from January 7 through May 15. Sale fares may not be available on all flights, such as those that operate during peak travel periods. Avoid Blackout Dates: February 15-18, March 7-23, March 28-April 1, and April 5, 2013
Tickets must be booked by December 13, 11:59pm PT.
Round-trip fares with all taxes added include:
- Newark to New Orleans: $238
- Ontario to Las Vegas: $152
- Chicago to Nashville: $210
- Cleveland to Chicago: $184
- St. Louis to Chicago: $184
From the Mail Bag: Missed The Boss!
Q. I had a seat on Alaska Airlines to Oakland leaving Portland at 2:45 p.m. and arriving Oakland at 4:47 p.m. I was flying down for a Bruce Springsteen concert. If you're not a fan, you could be forgiven for saying, "Oh, a concert." But this is an important part of my life. I have seen about 200 shows over 35 years. Tickets are very hard to come by.
I was meeting friends from London, Barcelona, Indianapolis, Boston, New York and throughout California. People I only get to see on such occasions. The only reason for this flight was to see this show and be with those friends for the experience. I paid $360 for my seat. At 2:45 they announced the plane would be delayed. The flight was canceled and I missed the concert, which was to begin at 8 p.m. I'm sure Alaska will throw me a bone, like some miles. But what am I entitled to in this situation?
A. Read on . . .
Additional Reporting by Tracy Stewart
George Hobica is a syndicated travel journalist and blogger whose website, www.airfarewatchdog.com, tracks unadvertised airfare wars and fare sales, including the most helpful and always updated Top 50 Airfares.
