Delta and other airlines have discounted fares for fall travel (InSapphoWeTrust / Flickr)
As we expected, all major US airlines including Delta, United and American have responded to the nationwide fare sale initiated by Southwest Airlines yesterday. (UPDATE: Fare sale extended to midnight Friday June 4)
Southwest’s fares appear to be lowest in our quick scan of fares today… so other airlines have responded, but only on routes where they compete with Southwest.
Delta’s response appears most tepid. For example, Southwest’s lowest intra-California fares are $100, and so are United’s, but Delta’s are $150. Southwest’s lowest fares for Atlanta-Florida flights are $100 while Delta’s are $150. Most of Southwest’s transcons are at about $300 round trip, while others are more like $325-$350.
Now this was a surprise: We found United heavily discounting first/business class flights between San Francisco and Atlanta, Dallas or Chicago… as low as $627 roundtrip throughout the late summer fall. THAT’S a deal!
United’s ATL SFO fares in September (Image: United.com)
Most of these fares are limited but represent good value if you have plans for late summer or fall trips.
You can travel from August 25 all the way to Christmas with the usual blackouts around holidays.
Must book by midnight FRIDAY (updated)
Sale fares here:
Southwest | JetBlue | Virgin America | American | United | Delta
Wow, thanks, Chris. I just checked on a destination for a trip I was thinking about taking later this summer, and the fares have dropped significantly. I won’t say where it is because I don’t want people snapping up the seats before I have a chance to book.
cat’s outta the bag now 🙂 — chris
I can’t believe you haven’t noticed these $627 SFO-ATL UA F fares before now. These have been around for months!