In Virgin America's latest "sale" presentation, they're offering fares to/from San Francisco and San Diego,  Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Seattle.  Also represented are fares to/from Los Angeles and Seattle as well as to/from Washington, D.C. (Dulles)  or New York (JFK) and Los Angeles or San Francisco.

Although these fares are certainly not the lowest they've been, given the times and fuel costs, etc., we have to accept these "sales" for what they are.  They're at least a break, for now, from some fares that have been a hundred or two more than the "sale" fares.  This latest entry has one-way fares beginning at $49.00 and ending at $179.00, depending on route.  Taxes and fees are additional in all cases.  We have to say that the "sale fare" for the JFK - San Francisco route is being touted as $179.00 each way.  Our math says that should yield a fare of about $358.00 before taxes/fees.  Both on Virgin America's own site and Travelocity, we found a $325.00 fare, valid for travel until Oct. 21.  The "sale" fare is only valid for travel until June 25, so go figure!  Can't assume a "sale" is always a "sale!"

In any event, the new "Summer Sale" on Virgin America requires puchase by May 23, 2008 (presumably Pacific Time as Virgin America is headquartered in Burlingame, though not stated in the fine print.)  Travel between May 28 and June 25, 2008.  Tickets are non-refundable and seats are limited.  Only applies to Main Cabin seating.

On Virgin America's latest promotion, they're offering 25% off  on fares, system-wide.  This offer is valid for EleVate members only (their frequent flyer program.)  If you're a member already, you should have received your unique promotional code in an e-mail.  If you haven't yet received yours, you might want to give Virgin America a call!

By entering the promo code in the promo box on Virgin America's site, you'll see some nice savings on their routes.  If you've gotten the e-mail,  they make it very easy for you to just "click here " or click on the actual promo code in big red letters/numbers and your reduction is already figured into the fare they display.

Bookings must be complete by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on May 3, 2008 and travel must be completed by June 11, 2008.  Tickets are non-refundable, seats are limited and travel is blacked out from May 22 - May 26, 2008 for the Memorial Day weekend.  This offer is good for one-time use only.

Virgin America announced a "summer travel fare sale" which requires ticket purchase by April 25 and allows travel between April 26 and June 11, 2008.  Sale prices pertain to Virgin America's service between San Francisco and San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Seattle.  Additionally, Los Angeles to Seattle is included.  Washington, D.C. (Dulles) or New York (JFK)  to Los Angeles or San Francisco are on the roster as well.   Fares are non-refundable, can be booked for one-way travel  and of course seats are limited.  We have seen similar fares before and in many cases other carriers offer the same or similar fares as well.  Still, for what is actually spring and/or early summer travel, these fares are largely very reasonable.  When we checked, they seemed to be fairly easy to find as well.  At present, these fares must be grabbed before the week is out,  but sometimes Virgin America just seems to extend the fare level and change the restrictions when the sale expiration date arrives.  You can use Virgin America's website but these fares are also bookable on Travelocity as well, where using the flexible date search is sometimes a handy tool.

Little Allegiant Air just announced new service to/from San Franciso and San Diego to/from Bellingham.  Flights to/from San Fran begin June 6 and to/from San Diego on June 12, both 3 times weekly.  As always, all flights are nonstops in both directions.  Introductory fares begin at $59.00 in the case of San Fran and $69.00 for San Diego.  Purchases must be made by May 10, 2008 only on Allegiant Air's site.  Seats are limited, fares non-refundable and travel is permitted through August 31, 2008.  We even found some of Allegiant's ever famous single digit fares ($8.00) heading TO Bellingham from each of these new destinations.  These come and go and are only isolated, found in June at this printing. Remember, the above fares are one-ways, as Allegiant permits one- way travel at half the round trip fare we list.  Grab 'em while they're hot.  Probably won't last long!

Skybus has become the "little engine that couldn't" as the third carrier in a week or so that could not surmount the stresses of trying to run a small airline (or any airline) in the current industry climate.  Effective today, Saturday, April 5, 2008, Skybus ceases operations.  As has been the case in 2 other examples this week of this kind of shut down due to economic hardship, Skybus advises contacting your credit card company if you've purchased a ticket to arrange for a refund.  If a different method of payment was used or for further information, go to the Skybus website for details.

For more background, read this article in the Columbus Dispatch.

It pays to travel in May or June!  Allegiant Air has lowered most of their fares at least $20.00 and in some cases substantially more for travel in May or the first half of June.  As is usually the case, this is an unadvertised promotion which is why you need to check Allegiant's site often or at least sign up for our city to city alerts!  Why not do both?  These fares vanish as quickly as they pop up and this time the reductions are pretty much system wide.  Allegiant's fares can all be booked as one- ways for half the round-trip fares.  Taxes and fees are additional. 

In the wee hours this morning (Thursday, April 3, 2008), ATA Airlines discontinued all operations.  They declared bankruptcy, cancelling all flights, present and future.  No advance notice was given.  For further info on how to seek refunds if you are a ticket holder, go to their site for instruction.  The demise of ATA follows only days after Aloha Airlines also ceased operations.

Where one sale ends, another begins on USA3000 today.  It's St. Patty's Day this go-round and the "luck of the Irish," as USA3000 calls it, is extending the last sale for all intents and purposes.  It's $20.00 off on a round trip or $10.00 off on a one way for travel dates between April 1 and June 13, 2008.  Purchases must be made by 11:59 p.m. on March 24, 2008.  Enter the word "GREEN" in the promo box at the time of booking only on USA3000's site.  Seats are limited and taxes and fees are additional.

Allegiant Air will be starting new service between Las Vegas and Santa Barbara.   The first flight on this route will be on May 22, 2008 from Santa Barbara to Las Vegas with service 3 times weekly on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Seats are currently being sold at fares of $39.00 each way plus tax/fees.  Allegiant fares can only be booked on their easy- to -use site.  

We have also found some considerable fare drops of $20.00 -$40.00 on Allegiant, mostly for travel in May/June or May and beyond.  These  are unadvertised and you need to check their site often to catch them.  They also still have a host of $19.00 fares available system-wide.  These are only on very isolated March or April dates.  Pays to take a look!

In their latest sale, Virgin America wants to know "what you're waiting for."  Their "Try & Fly Sale" ends this Friday, March 14, 2008.  Fares range from $39.00 to $139.00 each way depending on route (various service to/from San Fran, San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle, Washington, D.C./Dulles, New York/JFK.)

We have seen Virgin America offer similar fares in the past and this time, we even found some fares a few dollars less than those advertised in the "Try & Fly Sale."  It's worth a gander!  Fares do not include some taxes and fees.  Restrictions apply.  Bookings must be made by March 14, 2008.  Travel valid from March 25, 2008 - May 21,  2008.  Seats may be limited.