A SHOPPER’S GUIDE TO FLYING NEAR THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

People who plan to fly out of town for the Thanksgiving holidays might do well to shop for airports. With some exceptions, local residents taking a plane from Los Angeles or Long Beach airports rather than from Orange County airport can save up to $499, depending on the destination and whether the flight carries any restrictions.

The following chart illustrates round-trip air fares to Chicago, Dallas and San Francisco from John Wayne Orange County, Los Angeles International, Long Beach, and San Diego airports. The fares are hypothetical for departure on Nov. 21, returning Nov. 29. All flights are non-stop unless otherwise noted.

Two quotes are listed for each destination. The first quote is unrestricted coach, with possibly a three day advance purchase, denoted by (t). The second quote is with various restrictions applying. See notes at bottom.

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Chicago Dallas San Francisco Orange County $950 $810 $218 $588(a) $388(a) $158(a) Los Angeles $950 $790 $248 $588(a) $398 $159(a) Long Beach $451 $434 NA $339(a) $378(a) NA San Diego $989 $800 $302 $377(a) $408(a) $162(a) Ontario $970 $810 $248 $308(t) $368(a) $148(a)

CONTINENTAL

Chicago Dallas San Francisco Orange County $559(y) $460(y) NA $287(a,y) $278(f,y) NA Los Angeles $555(y) $358(y) NA $347(a) $268(f,y) NA Long Beach NA NA NA NA NA NA San Diego $569(t,y) $378(y) NA $267(a,y) $228(f,y) NA Ontario $850(y) $450(y) NA $304(t,y) $263(f,y) NA

DELTA

Chicago Dallas San Francisco Orange County $690 $460(t) NA $348(p) $268(a) NA Los Angeles $950 $398 $248 $388(a) $268(a) $108(f) Long Beach $946 $790 NA $266(a) $278(a) NA San Diego $960(y) $800 $278(y) $288(f,y) $348(a) $122(f,y) Ontario $950 $810 $272 $272(a) $368(a) $252(a)

TWA

Chicago Dallas San Francisco Orange County $690 NA NA $317(a) NA NA Los Angeles $680 NA $150 $296(a) NA $112(f) Long Beach $699 NA NA $251(f) NA NA San Diego $689 NA NA $267(f) NA NA Ontario $890 NA $198 $338(a) NA $168(a)

UNITED

Chicago Dallas San Francisco Orange County $950 $810(z) $208(t) $357(a) $388(a,z) $150(b) Los Angeles $970 $404(t,y) $208(t) $198(y) $328(a,y) $148(a) Long Beach $970 NA $248 $270(f) NA $168(c) San Diego $980 $438(t) $258 $288(f) $348(a,y) $182(a) Ontario $970 $710 $248 $304(t) $288(s,y) $148(a)

Notes:

(a) Seven-day advance purchase or purchase ticket 14 days after reservation, whichever is earliest, 50% penalty applies on changes after purchase.

(b) 14-day advance purchase, 50% penalty applies on changes after purchase.

(c) Two-day advance purchase or within 24 hours after reservations, 50% penalty applies on changes after purchase.

(f) Totally non-refundable, no changes allowed.

(p) 14-day advance purchase, no penalties apply.

(s) Reserved and ticketed at least 2 days in advance.

(t) Three-day advance purchase, three-day change notice.

(y) One stop or change.

(z) Two stops or changes.

(NA) Route not available.