By Ed Martelle, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-802359.mp3
Dallas, TX – It may not be too late if you still want fly to Grandma's house or a ski slope for the holidays. KERA's Ed Martelle reports many airplanes are not full. And there may be some last-minute bargains.
The souring economy that has driven down gas and retail prices has also driven down airfares. In November, the airlines reported flying 10 percent fewer seats and 3 percent fewer passengers than this time last year. Faced with similar December numbers, the airlines, including North Texas-based Southwest and American, are now pricing seats to sell, says American's Tim Smith.
Smith: If someone wants to travel during the holidays, there are definitely some good fare-sale bargains out there.
Domestic destinations are especially cheap for the holidays. From Dallas-Fort Worth roundtrip fares to Kansas City or Memphis start at $218 depending on when you fly and how long you stay. Chicago fares start as low as $248 roundtrip. More exotic destinations are becoming more affordable, too. Tom Parsons of BestFares.com says hotels in Mexico and the Caribbean are cutting prices, and airfares are likely to follow. And after big fare hikes last summer to Hawaii, Parsons says bargains are coming right after the first of the year.
Parsons: The airlines jacked the airfares to over $1,000 from Dallas. Now Hawaii is being beaten-up. The Japanese aren't coming, nobody's coming.
So how do you get the bargains that are there? Steve Cosgrove of Dynamic Travel & Cruises says be persistent.
Cosgrove: Jump in, be flexible. I'm sure the Friday evening before Christmas is booked up. The Sunday after New Year's is booked up. So be flexible. Be willing to look at change of planes. You'll find something.
Some airline Web sites are promoting fare sales and even have calendars showing days with heavier and lighter demand. The experts say the bargains will stay until fuel prices rise or the economy picks up.