Weekend wanderlust? Continental's latest deals

© Continental Airlines

Airlines are reluctant to let their airplanes take wing with empty seats. They’ll cut some demonstrably good deals to make sure it doesn’t happen. That’s the theory behind off-peak travel pricing. Continental Airlines is a prime practitioner. It’s running a discount airfare sale this weekend to and from its three major hubs, with rates starting at $99 round-trip.

To make the rates right, Continental defines “weekend” differently: depart Saturday, May 19, and return either on Monday or Tuesday, May 21 or 22. Sunday travel isn’t part of the deal. That’s a decidedly peak period, when demand for seats is high.

To land one of the discount airfares, you’ll have to book and buy no later than 11:59pm (Central Time) on Friday, May 18. Neither taxes nor fees are included.

Here’s a sampling of the savings Continental is offering:

- Alexandria, LA (AEX) to Bush Houston Intercontinental (IAH) $99

- Bush Houston Intercontinental to Huntsville (HSV) $119

- Cleveland (CLE) to Columbus (CMH) $99
- Cleveland to Louisville (SDF) $99
- Columbia, SC (CAE) to New York/Newark (EWR) $119

- Harlingen, TX (HRL) to Bush Houston Intercontinental $99

- Indianapolis (IND) to New York/Newark $119

- Milwaukee (MKE) to New York/Newark $119

- New York/Newark to Tucson (TUS) $228
- Norfolk (ORF) to New York/Newark $99

- White Plains (HPN) to Cleveland $99

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler