Britain on sale and Abbey Road at 42

Looking to woo Californians and prime the pump before next year’s London Summer Olympics, Paralympics and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, British Airways has opened a 72-hour fare sale that includes discounts of $100 to $200 for travelers flying economy or premium economy to the U.K. from the Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco airports in fall, winter or spring.

The offer comes in conjunction with a daylong promotional event at Hollywood & Highland in Los Angeles -- a set-up that includes a chance for consumers to pose in a big “3D canvas” version of the Beatles’ classic “Abbey Road” album cover (released 42 years ago this month). The promotion, co-sponsored by British Airways and VisitBritain, the country’s official tourist agency, gives participants a chance to pose before a big rendition of “Abbey Road,” roughly nine feet square. Many resulting images will be posted on a special Facebook page (which of course requires some information from you), and participants will have a chance at British travel giveaways. The event goes on until 6 p.m. Thursday.

When we checked the airfare offer today, we found round-trip LAX-London Heathrow flights available in November for as little as $542, before taxes and fees. For October, the low-end figure was $638. For December, $642. (The taxes and fees add $198.16 to $212.16 per adult to the round-trip cost, depending on the flight.)

To qualify, bookings must be made before midnight Oct. 2 -- that is, before Oct. 2 becomes Oct. 3 in California. The offer is good for travel through March 31 (well before the Olympics begin in late July). Details can be found here.