Next Weekend Away: Cheap Travel to San Francisco

If you’re reading this, you’re probably not kicking off your Friday night with our suggestion for this weekend away in New York. Last week’s readers aren't reading this at all, but instead, they're enjoying the free ice skating passes and cocktails we told them about. Jealous?

There’s still a chance for you to have a stellar weekend, too. (In fact, there’s a chance every Friday afternoon, when we publish these lovely little ideas.) This time, the weekend is an important one for sanity reasons – it’s the weekend after Thanksgiving. So when you’re done explaining to your Aunt Ruth why you cut your hair so short, or why you didn’t become a doctor like Grandpa did, you’ll be more than ready to hop on a flight to San Francisco and lose yourself in the gritty luster of this matchless city.

Weekend: Friday, Nov. 27 – Monday, Nov. 30

Destination: San Francisco

SAS' Biggest Sale Ever: Cheap Flights to Europe

Spring in Europe is one of those things that just has to be experienced. Whether you’re intent on scoping out new fashion on the streets of Paris, sharing a pint with a local in Dublin, or taking in every ounce of history in Geneva, you’ll want to check out SAS’ cheap flights from the US to many cities abroad.

From now until Dec. 7 when you book a flight on SAS, you’ll get one-way flights across the Atlantic starting at $235. Fares are based on round-trip purchases, and travel is valid between Jan. 11 – March 25, 2010. Taxes and fees are additional.

Qantas Airlines Offers Cheap Flights to Australia

The only thing better than coming from the Land Down Under, is visiting it. From outdoor adventures to out-there cuisine, Australia has an enormous array of unique activities to try. Explore the beaches of Sydney, the art and arcades of Melbourne, or the botanic gardens of Brisbane, and see what all the fuss is about.

Now you can book a flight to Australia for an affordable price when you book through Qantas Vacations. When you book by Nov. 27, and travel May 1 – June 8, and you’ll get flights from San Francisco or Los Angeles to Brisbane, Sydney, or Melbourne from $399 each way.

Flights and Three Nights in Hawaii, from $279

If you’re in need to escape before the holidays (or you just want a killer tan to show off at Christmas) then spend the weekend in Hawaii without breaking the bank. Spend two nights soaking up the Hawaiian atmosphere, exploring gorgeous beaches, and absorbing a beautiful culture that can’t be found anywhere else in the States.

Stay three nights at the Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki and fly round-trip from Los Angeles or San Francisco for $279.

The catch? (It's not really a catch.) You must travel with a companion. The first guest gets charged $399, and the “companion” gets charged $161. When you combine the price equally, each person pays $279.

Cuba Travel Petition Reaches 100,000 Signatures

Amidst the recent hot-button issue of traveling to Cuba, some United States citizens are getting more vocal about their opinions. In the past year, we’ve seen percentages of Americans who want to travel freely to Cuba rise, and interest has reached federal legislators.

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs held a hearing on Thursday, and Congress is still considering the allowance.

Orbitz started an online petition via OpenCuba.org, and yesterday, that petition boasted 100,000 signatures, and its goal is to remove the 47-year old embargo that began when Fidel Castro came to power.

Aviation Industry Opposes "Distracted Flying Act"

The two Northwest pilots that overshot their destination last month aren’t getting any breaks. Their oversight on location and focus on laptops in the cockpit have sparked lawmakers to develop proposals for banned or limited use of electronic devises. 

While the public may assume banning laptops is a surefire way to reduce distractions, the debate isn’t an easy one. Industry officials argue that getting rid of electronic devices in the cockpit could actually hinder safety, since some of the tools used on board are helpful for navigating.

In addition to safety, The Air Transport Association also opposes the ban, saying that ridding laptops also means ridding new, innovative technologies that will inevitably help the industry grow toward safer and more precise measures.

Continental Offers New Nonstop Flights to Munich

Munich is unique to the rest of Germany because of its Bavarian history that dates back to Ludwig II himself. Now, Continental and its new partner, Lufthansa are bringing you to the beer-loving city nonstop from Newark International.

Today the airline announces that it will bring nonstop flights from New York to Munich beginning March 27, 2010. The transatlantic flights will complement Lufthansa’s already existing routes, and will be operated by Boeing 767-200 ERs. Each plane will seat 25 passengers in BusinessFirst, and 149 passengers in economy seating.

Flights and Three Nights in the Bahamas, from $229

When most people think of the perfect sunny getaway, visions of islands, turquoise waters and luxurious resorts come to mind. Get all of these things and affordable round-trip flights when you book a trip to the Bahamas through CheapCaribbean.com.

What’s so great about this deal? There are no holiday blackout dates. If you’re sick of a feuding family or just can’t do another holiday in the cold, take off to the Bahamas and celebrate in much more relaxed way. With this deal, the longer you stay, the more you save.

Prices start at $229 and include three nights in a hotel and round-trip flights. Travel now through Feb. 28, 2010.

AirTran to Include Advertisements on Tray Tables

This year, we’ve seen quite a few airlines try scheme after scheme to make up for the recession by charging passengers very detailed fees. From wireless Internet to bathroom fees, to luggage charges and expensive holiday fees, the list of new rates is endless. Now, AirTran has turned the tables, and is charging someone else to come on board: advertisers.

AirTran will now use advertisements the back of every tray table of its 138 Boeing jets. Strategically located, the ads are eye-level and unavoidable, since trays must be folded and locked during both landing and take-off.

Although Ireland-based Ryanair and England-based Easyjet, both have experimented with advertisements, AirTran remains to be the first in the United States to have an advertisement on every seat in every plane.

Delta Makes Offer for JAL to Abandon its Partnership with American Airlines

While American undergoes internal challenges, they’re also competing externally to keep Japan Airlines (JAL) as a partner. Delta, now the largest carrier in the world, is trying to lure JAL to leave American and its Oneworld Alliance, and join it and Skyteam to recover from its recent fiscal struggles.

Since the 1990’s, American has partnered with JAL, and collaborates on routes and rewards programs. While American stays firm in its stance that JAL’s best move is to stay with the Oneworld Alliance and work through its conflict, Delta is pushing back and making a lucrative offer.