Cheap airfares: $99 each way between L.A. and New York among the deals

With election day behind us, Southern Californians can focus on casting our ballots for winter airfare sales from Virgin America and Delta Air Lines ($99 each way to New York) and Southwest Airlines ($59 each way to Denver and Phoenix).

Other carriers have quietly entered this sale, so shop around for the cheapest prices. Here are some fares (pre-tax) that I liked:

Virgin America: Out of the red, white and blue comes this election-themed sale in which the lowest prices apply to travel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. One-way fares from Los Angeles start at $34 to San Francisco, $69 to Seattle and $99 to New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Fla. Other destinations on sale include Cancun, Mexico; Dallas-Fort Worth and Toronto.

When: Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 PST Monday. Travel is good for Monday through Feb. 15, though some blackout dates apply and a seven-day advance purchase is required.

Tested: I checked online and found seats for $99 plus tax each way from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 11 and returning Jan. 18 (Tuesday to Tuesday, to get the lowest sale fare). That would be just in time to meet new members of Congress who were elected Tuesday.

Contact: Virgin America, (877) 359-8474

Delta Air Lines: I didn’t see an advertised sale, but I did find fares from Los Angeles starting at $99 each way to New York and $175 each way to Honolulu.

When: No deadline to buy tickets, but the airfares are based on availability and subject to change.

Tested: In an online search at Delta’s website, I found the $99 fare each way from Los Angeles on Jan. 11 and returning Jan. 18. The flights were nonstop both ways, and the total out-the-door price, with taxes and fees, came to $219.40. Using the same dates, I found seats for $175 each way plus tax to Honolulu. Sweet.

Contact: Delta Air Lines, (800) 221-1212

Southwest Airlines: $59 one way will get you far in this sale: from Los Angeles to Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Reno/Tahoe and the California cities Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose. The sale applies to more cities (though not big East Coast cities) and is good for flights from Burbank, Orange County and Ontario airports.

When: Good until 11:59 PDT Thursday for travel every day except Fridays and Sundays through Feb. 14, with a 14-day advance purchase. Blackout dates are Nov. 23-30 and Dec. 15-Jan. 3.

Tested: I was thinking of taking a skiing or boarding trip around Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. I found the $59 one-way fare from Los Angeles to Denver available Jan. 13 and returning Jan. 17 or 18 for the same price. Note that this sale is online only.

Contact: Southwest Airlines