Balitang America Travels: New Year Airfare Sales

It's time to start thinking about that next vacation! But you better be quick because "winter airfare sales" will be over soon. The skinny on these deals was part of my recent travel segment that aired Monday, January 12th, on Balitang America's 5:30pm newscast. Below are highlights of some of those hot deals arranged by the dates that the offers end, and keep in mind these are one-way prices (but even then, it's still a bargain):

- Jet Blue: West Coast escapes for $39 (ends Jan. 14)

- Air Tran: Fares for as low as $39 to select U.S. cities (ends Jan. 15)

- American Airlines: Fares starting at $39 (ends Jan. 16); international fares to popular spots for as low as $90 (ends Jan. 16); European sale includes destinations like London for only $168 (ends Jan. 21)

- Southwest Airlines: Fly for $49 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and $59 on other days (ends Jan. 19)

- Virgin America: West Coast flights for $59 and transcontinental routes for $139 (ends Jan. 20)

- Alaska Airlines: West Coast routes starting at $59 (ends Jan. 24)

Most of these airfare specials are good for travel through Spring and some even until early Summer. This is just a partial list as many airlines have promotions right now. Typically, airlines offer lower prices around this time, but the industry is making an extra effort because of the economic slowdown. However, even if we're in a recession don't expect to see killer deals throughout the year.

In my segment and interview with CEO Beatrice Tarka of Mobissimo.com, she said airlines will be reducing the number of planes in their fleets to cut costs. Translation: deals will be scarce. If you find a really awesome deal now for Spring or Summer vacation, grab it!

Here are some great sites that track airfare and travel deals:
Mobissimo.com
Fare Compare.com
Farecast.com

Travels is a weekly TV segment written and produced by Christi Morales. It airs every Monday during Balitang America's (News in America) 5:30pm PST newcast on ABS-CBN Global's The Filipino Channel (TFC). Balitang America can also be seen on KTSF Channel 26 at 6:45pm PST in the San Francisco Bay Area.