Airline Bargains?
Not As Many As You May Think

The airline industry has taken a huge hit since the terrorist attacks.

Many people are afraid to fly, and that means airlines may have to do something to attract business.

News Specialist Stacey Butler has the story.

Financial trouble in the airlines is soaring, with 75,000 layoffs in the industry in the last two weeks.

But what may be bad news for airlines could prove good news for consumers.

There's been a lot of talk lately about empty airplanes, canceled travel plans and general hesitation among Americans when it comes to flying.

And there's been talk of amazing bargains in air fare. But not as many as you may think.

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"THERE'S NOTHING LOW IN THE MARKET BY GOING TOMORROW."

Book a flight anywhere around Thanksgiving and you'll pay full price. But Claudia Miller at Murdock Travel says that may change.

Claudia Miller/Murdock Travel: "I THINK THE AIRLINES WILL LOWER THE FARES, TO GIVE INCENTIVE FOR THE PASSENGER TO TRAVEL."

Though the deals aren't irresistable, there are some bargains to be had.

Consider this:

With the help of local travel agents we came up with a rundown of round trip fares from Salt Lake City. These are all based on a seven day advance purchase.

The lowest roundtrip airfare we found to New York City was $251. It's a bargain at about half the regular price.

To fly to Chicago O'Hare you'll pay $400. But if you fly into the Midway Airport, it's just $222. You usually pay $100 to $300 more.

Baltimore is a bargain at $191.

Dallas is $242.

But here in the west, there are fewer deals available.

At $153, fare to Los Angeles is a little less than what you'd normally pay.

Phoenix--same story-- at $163.

Fly to Vegas and back and the best bargain we could find was $125. It's a far cry from the $25 deal offered to those who fly roundtrip out of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

"BUT PEOPLE GET IT CONFUSED. THEY THINK, 'HEY I WANT TO GO TO LAS VEGAS FOR TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS.' WELL, IT DOESN'T COME OUT OF SALT LAKE CITY."

The best deal we could find was a round trip ticket to Boise-- $82.50.

Keep in mind that fares change every day. You can check the internet or with your travel agent for the latest.

Sept. 24, 2001--