Cheapflights Weekly Roundup: Airline News & Travel Deals

This weekend marks the start of one of our favorite summer holidays. Think: BBQ, outdoor picnics, fireworks, friends and family... if only it would stop raining long enough in Boston for us to actually get outside.

On the bright side, thanks to some celestial magic, July 4 falls on a Saturday this year which means a 3-day weekend for many workers. That also means incredible last-minute airfare and hotel deals for those wanting to get out of town and celebrate their independence in a new city. Bottom line from the travel experts at Cheapflights: These are amazingly low prices for a holiday weekend.

From New York to Los Angeles, airlines and hotels are dropping rates by the minute to encourage travelers to get out of town this July 4.

In addition to the July 4 sales happening around the country, the travel industry released a few newsworthy reports this week. If you're doubting customer service, struggling to lose a few extra pounds, or you just feel like embracing your inner-daredevil at 30,000-feet, read on: Cheapflights.com brings you this week's weekly roundup:

New York Vacation Packages: Airfare, 4-Nights Hotel from $450

We love NYC. The theater, the shopping, the food - you can do more in one New York block than you can do in some cities around the world. So when we see a good vacation package to New York, our interest is peaked. In this case, our bags are packed.

Expedia is hosting a New York sale, which includes round-trip flights to New York and New York hotels at up to 35 percent off. The best part? These hotels fit everyone's travel needs. Starting at $97/night, you can find a NYC vacation package that caters to any budget.

The details are simple: Book four-night travel package by July 19 and travel by July 30, 2009. The sample prices provided by Expedia includes round-trip airfare from Chicago, but prices will change based on your departure city.

Destination Spotlight: The Magic of Mexico - Puerto Escondido

There’s more to Mexico than Cancun and Cabo. With 31 different and diverse states and countless coastal towns offering something for all types of travel, Mexico offers much more for those ready to explore. But for those travelers looking for a more relaxed Mexico beach vacation, consider the unspoilt area of Costa Chica in the state of Oaxaca.

Along Oaxaca’s coast is Puerto Escondido - commonly referred to as just “Puerto” - a charming beach town that still manages to keeps its fishing village and coffee growing roots. Even as its popularity grows as a tourist destination, Puerto has yet to become home to any five-star resorts or designer hotels. In Puerto, wearing a shirt and sandals represents formal attire.

Airline News: American Airlines Discounts Boston-DC Flights

Great news for people in the Boston and DC areas: if you’re looking for a last-minute getaway for the holiday weekend, it can still happen!

American Airlines has discounted flights between Boston and Washington, DC this weekend.  Both cities draw revelers from all over the country each Independence Day, with celebrations, concerts and fireworks.

While many are booking flights to Washington, DC, in hopes of catching a glimpse of President Obama and the First Family, his first Independence Day in office is sure to draw crowds.  Meanwhile, the Boston Pops still perform one of the best Independence Day concerts around, making Boston flights quite the commodity in early July.

Flights must depart on Friday, July 3 after 7:00 PM or anytime on Saturday, July 4, returning Monday or Tuesday.  Fares start at $100.

© Cheapflights Ltd Kate McCulley

$999 Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro Vacation Package

Two of South America’s most beguiling and romantic cities are now available for the price of one. If you’ve dreamed of visiting Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, now’s your chance to visit both at once!

GotMyFare is now offering a seven-day, six-night trip to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires from $999.  Incredibly, this trip includes airfare, three nights’ accommodation in each city, several guided tours, food and shopping deals, and more.

Chicago Travel Alert: Major Delays at O'Hare Due to Computer Outage

Update: United Airlines’ computers are back up and running at O’Hare International Airport. Ticket agents are able to check in passengers and the self check-in kiosks are working. Passengers are encouraged to check flight times online before heading to the airport in advance of their holiday weekend travel plans. In an effort to apologize for the delay, United Airlines is offering travel waiver on Chicago flights leaving today only.

A "computer outage" at Chicago O’Hare has caused major flight delays and left many travelers unable to check in for flights.

Deep Deals Down Under: Sydney Flights, 5-Nights Hotel from $839

Gate1 Travel is lowering their Sydney vacation package to $839. The vacation package includes round-trip airfare from Los Angeles to Sydney and five nights accommodations at your choice of available hotels.

You can add additional tours to the Sydney vacation package, including a full day trip to the Blue Mountains or a Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. The best part? This deal is valid through March 22, 2010.

JetBlue Sale: Flights to New York

If you’re in a New York state of mind but don't want to the Greyhound to get there, here’s good news for you: JetBlue has slashed prices on flights to New York from 28 cities across the United States.  One-way New York flights are now available from as low as $54.

Whether you’re taking a weekend to see friends or a week-long excursion to see every sight the city has to offer, there’s one thing everyone has in common: you want to fly to New York for as cheap as possible.  Well, now you can.

Low-Cost Airlines Top Customer Satisfaction Study

The days of getting dressed up for a flight, enjoying VIP service and arriving to your destination refreshed are long gone. These days, most of us are content to make it through security in a timely manner and get a complimentary in-flight beverage. So, just how satisfied are travelers?

In its 2009 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, J.D. Power & Associates reports that Alaska Airlines was on the top of the list for customer satisfaction among traditional network carriers. This is the second year Alaska has taken the top honor. Continental Airlines also ranked high in overall satisfaction, reservation experience, check-in experience and boarding and deplaning. United Airlines and US Airways were ranked lowest in the traditional network carriers category.

In the low-cost carrier category, JetBlue ranked highest for the fourth straight year, particularly in the aircraft and in-flight service categories.

Hawaii Multi-Island Vacation Deals

Maui, Kauai, Oahu, Lanai…Hawaii has so many gorgeous islands, and each has a distinct personality and environment.  Black sand beaches on Kauai, killer waves on Oahu and active volcanoes on the Big Island are just a few of dozens of attractions.

So if you’re going to venture to these remote islands, why not make the most of your vacation and do a bit of island-hopping?

Right now, 9-night, 3-island Hawaii vacation packages from Beach Destinations are available from as little as $999 before taxes.  This package includes flights from the continental US, hotels and inter-island flights between Oahu, Kauai and Maui.