JetBlue and Southwest launch sales on autumn airfares

JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines kicked off autumn airfare sales Tuesday. If you like the fares you see, book quickly because seats may go fast. Here are some sample ticket prices and destinations.

-- Deal 1: JetBlue’s Fall Shipping & Handling Sale sounds more UPS than JetBlue, but who cares at these prices? This sale is similar to one that JetBlue ran earlier this month. Sample each-way fares from Long Beach Airport (LGB) include $29 to Las Vegas;$49 to Sacramento, San Francisco and Oakland; $99 to Portland, Ore., and Seattle; and $149 to Washington, D.C., and Boston; prices exclude tax and fees. Sale fares also are available from Los Angeles and Burbank.

When: You can travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from Sept. 6 to Nov. 16 under this sale, but you must purchase by 8:59 PDT Wednesday. Some blackout dates apply.

Tested: I checked online and found availability for $149 each way plus tax and fees from Long Beach to Washington, D.C., leaving Oct. 18 and returning Oct. 22.

Contact: JetBlue Airways, (800) 538-2583

--Deal 2: Southwest’s Great Fare Deals has a longer booking period and a longer travel period. One-way fares from Los Angeles start at $49 to Las Vegas and $59 to Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose, Phoenix and Reno. I also like $84 to Denver and $89 to Salt Lake City (prices don’t include tax and fees). Sale fares also available from Burbank and Orange County.

When: Travel under this sale is good daily except Fridays and Sundays from Aug. 23 to Dec. 14, but you must book by 11:59 PDT Aug. 1. Some blackout dates apply.

Tested: I checked online and found availability for $59 one way plus tax and fees from Los Angeles to San Jose leaving Oct. 18 and returning Oct. 22.

Contact: Southwest Airlines, (800) 435-9792