The Cheap Flights Weekly Roundup

The legacy airlines were busy launching new services this week and there were some decidedly decent discounts on airfares, but Air Canada had some bad news for pet owners who want to fly with Fido…

Airline Sales and Deals

Amble off to Amsterdam with United from $374 United Airlines has flights to Amsterdam for a song. Discount airfares start at $374 one-way.

September song - discounts from trio of gateways Delta Air Lines offers discount deals to England, Ireland, and Scotland, for as low as $229 one-way.

American Airlines offers triple AAdvantage miles AA is offering triple AAdvantage miles for round-trip travel between New York JFK and London Heathrow until August 31.

Summertime, and the livin' ain't easy - Jerry Chandler lets fly

I had it coming. I should have known. I am, yet again, chastened. Among Cheapflights' top tips for summertime is to avoid, whenever possible, flying in the afternoon. That's when thunderstorms blossom, wreaking havoc with air traffic controls and airline schedules.

And do it is that I booked a late afternoon flight from Boston (BOS) to Birmingham (BHM), via Atlanta (ATL). Brain fade, and I paid for it.

After rushing out in the middle of a meeting to catch the train to Boston Logan, I got to the automated Delta Air Lines kiosk, swiped my card and watched the words "Irregular Operation" pop up.

Oops.

United to fly to emerging Middle East

United Airlines has signed a codeshare agreement with Qatar Airways, and has plans to expand its Washington DC-Kuwait service, from January 2008.

The codeshare agreement opens up a wealth of travel options to United customers, with flights now available to Doha, Qatar; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Male, the Maldives, and Peshawar, Pakistan.

Members of the United Mileage Plus frequent-flier program will also benefit, as they will be able to accrue miles on flights with the Middle East airline.

Southwest adds three new Columbus flights

Ohio residents have more flight options to choose from, thanks to Southwest Airlines' addition of three daily nonstop round-trip flights from Columbus.

From November 4, 2007, the carrier will increase its daily services to Chicago Midway, St Louis, and Tampa Bay.

The Illinois airport will now be served by eight daily flights, the Missouri hub has seen its service doubled, and Tampa Bay will now receive three flights per day from Columbus.

American applies for nonstop Beijing service

© American Airlines

Fort Worth-based carrier American Airlines has confirmed that it will apply to the Department of Transportation (DOT) to begin a nonstop Chicago-Beijing service in 2009.

The airline is seeking to capitalize on a recent open skies agreement between the US and Chinese governments, and hopes to begin a Chicago O'Hare to Beijing service from March 25, 2009.

According to Gerard Arpey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American Airlines, the service will use 245-seat Boeing 777 aircraft for a daily service, providing increased network competition in the US-China flight market.

Denver driving - head's up this summer

Driving to or from Denver International Airport (DEN) anytime soon, to catch a flight or perhaps pick someone up? Know that a slew of construction projects could affect your commute time.

This work is ongoing through September 3 according to DEN officials, and the first thing you'll notice is construction of a third lane of eastbound roadway from the point that Peña Boulevard splits into a “Y” to take traffic to either Terminal East or Terminal West.

Look for lane shifts. The airport intends to keep a couple of lanes open in this specific area, and will cut speeds from 45 to 35 mph.

go! wins interisland contracts

Low-cost carrier go! has been awarded nine Hawaii interisland routes by the General Services Administration (GSA).

The GSA awarded the contracts after surveying several aspects of the go! service, from price and flight times, to seat availability, refund policies, and schedule changes.

Federal savings of more than $4.5 billion are expected to be accrued through the contracts, which the GSA awards to commercial airlines for federal travelers on official business.

Joe Bock, Chief Marketing Officer, said that the award illustrated the airline's success since beginning interisland services on June 9, 2006.

Southwest axes transcon - other alterations

Bid adieu to discount airline Southwest's Baltimore/Washington (BWI) to Los Angeles (LAX) transcontinental service. Twice-daily nonstops go away in early July.

Also on the chopping block is another transcon: once-daily nonstop service from BWI to Oakland (OAK). It too sunsets in early July, as do Southwest's once-daily Cleveland (CLE) tp Phoenix, and Chicago Midway (MDW) to Orange County (SNA) flights

While Southwest is pulling back on long-hauls, it's re-entering an abandoned short-haul run between Birmingham (BHM) and New Orleans (MSY).

AA's deals: make the most of an extended weekend

Extended weekends are wonderful things. Apportioned properly they allow you to keep on keeping on, and put life in perspective. American Airlines is offering discount airfares to select cities for the next extended weekend - July 6 through 10.

To get in on these deals - as low as $129 round-trip - you'll have to get your tickets no later than 11:59pm (Central Time) tonight (Friday, June 29). Fly outbound either on Friday, July 7, or Saturday, July 7. Return either on Monday, July 9, or Tuesday, July 10.

These discount airfares have to be purchased at least seven days prior to departure, or within one day of making your reservation, whichever comes first. Neither taxes nor fees are included, and these discount airfares are neither refundable nor changeable.

What to Do and See in Dallas/Fort Worth

• Enjoy Texas-sized entertainment. Listen to country music at Billy Bob's Texas, which bills itself as the world's largest honky tonk, in nearby Fort Worth. (It's got 127,000 square feet of space; a 6,000+ capacity and over 30 bars!) Weekly concerts are scheduled throughout June and July, featuring Chris Young, Keith Anderson, Stoney LaRue, Reckless Kelly and The Bellamy Brothers. There's real bull riding (Friday and Saturday nights); a fake bull for photos; a free Ladies Night (Wednesday); a Texas-size dance floor and plenty of atmosphere.

• Hang out in one of the "coolest" places in town: the Dallas Museum of Art. Sure, you're going for the artwork. But you'll also enjoy a cool respite from the heat with a tour of the galleries, which are maintained at a constant temperature of 72 degrees!

• Savor the scenery (beautiful landscaping, homes, parks and lakes) in areas such as Turtle Creek and Highland Park (Don't spend all your time in the upscale shops in Highland Park Village.). If you love historic homes, be sure to include a tour of Swiss Avenue (and the Wilson Block Historic District) and Munger Place.