It’s shaping up to be a busy year for low-cost airfare carrier, Southwest Airlines. The Dallas-based airline has been providing travelers with inexpensive domestic airfare for almost 40 years, and in 2011 they are expanding their services to some of the country’s top destinations in the South and Northeast.

Beginning March 13, Southwest offers flights to and from South Carolina, serving both Greenville-Spartanburg International and Charleston International. Both airports will feature non-stop service to and from Baltimore-Washington, Chicago-Midway, Houston-Hobby and Nashville International. Additionally, Greenville-Spartanburg International will provide non-stop flights to and from Orlando International.

Folks interested in traveling to or from the East Coast will be excited to hear that starting March 27, Southwest Airlines features new service to New York City, via Newark. During its “first wave” of new service, the airline will offer six daily nonstop flights from Newark Liberty to Chicago-Midway, and two daily nonstops from Newark to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Future flights from Newark to Baltimore-Washington, Denver, Houston-Hobby and Phoenix will commence on June 5.

No doubt, Southwest will celebrate its new destination routes with even more affordable prices. Be sure to check out our Southwest Airlines deals.

Whether you’re traveling as a couple, or with your family, Air New Zealand can accommodate the need for more room with its new Economy Skycouch seats (a.k.a. “Cuddle Class”). The airline is starting to book reservations for these special seats, which can be used as a couch or bed. The new Skycouch will be available on select flights from Auckland to Los Angeles, with some flights continuing on to London beginning in April 2011.

2010 is the year for cheap airfare, and with new sales announced from Virgin America,  United and  American Airlines, flying to your favorite U.S. destination this winter is more affordable than ever.

Virgin America offers holiday flights at a price you can’t afford to pass up. Routes across North America start at $39 (one-way), and are good for travel from November 20, 2010-January 2, 2011. Book your flight by November 15.

Whether you’re traveling to the north, south, east, or west, United Airlines will fly you there with their winter fun fares. One-way airfare starts at $59 from/to Chicago, Denver, Boston, Los Angeles and many cities across the country. Fares are valid for travel between December 1-16, 2010 and January 4-February 16, 2011. Book by November 22.

American Airlines offers one-way airfare to select U.S. destinations starting at $59. Fly to San Francisco, New York, Miami, Las Vegas , or choose from a variety of other popular cities. This deal is good for travel from December 1, 2010-February 16, 2011, but you must book by November 22.

Photo Credit: Lisa Norwood- http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanorwood/848861172/

Las Vegas, Orlando, San Diego, Fort Lauderdale–the destination possibilities are endless when you book your flight and 5-night hotel vacation package with Southwest Vacations. For two more days, they are offering discounted rates on all destinations. Save $50 off packages priced between $700-$999; $100 off packages between $1000-$1,999; $175 off packages priced $2,000-$2,999; and $250 off packages of $3,000 or more. This deal also includes an economy rental car, free with any purchased vacation package. This Southwest Vacations’ All Destinations Sale, valid through September 30.

Photo Credit: Marc Smith- http://www.flickr.com/photos/marc_smith/3253558492/

Here’s a secret travel deal you can’t afford to miss. American, Frontier, JetBlue and United airlines are offering unadvertised sale fares in response to Virgin America’s newest sale. Promotional fares start at $49 one-way ($98 round-trip), and include flights to Las Vegas, NYC, San Francisco, and Washington D.C., among a handful of other destinations. But here’s the catch: The low fare provided by all five airlines disappears at 11:59 p.m. tonight. Book you plane tickets now, before this deal takes flight.

Continental has just announced a sale on business class fares to Europe in November and December.  You can find low round trip fares such as Newark to Barcelona for $1420 and Newark to Paris for $1320.  Fares are also available departing from Houston and Cleveland.  Destinations include Dublin, London, Amsterdam, and Rome and many others. Travel in November is available for departure 11/21- 11/27 and return 11/25-12/1.  Travel in December is available for departure 12/24-1/7 and return 12/24-1/13.  21 day advance purchase is required.

Travelers looking for big savings will find them before midnight tonight with two 24 hour sales from Spirit and Expedia.  Spirit Airlines is offering flights from $2 for members of their fare club.  Sample flights include $2 from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Nassau, Bahamas or $18 from Detroit, MI to Tampa, FL.  You must book by midnight tonight.

Combine your cheap airfare with a 24 hotel sale from Expedia.  If you book by midnight tonight you can find great prices to you favorite destinations. Sample rates include $20 at the Circus Circus Hotel in Las Vegas, $118 at the Capital Hill Suites in Washington DC,  and $103 at the King George Hotel Union Square in San Francisco. You must book by 11:59 PT tonight.

Jet Blue is bringing back their All You Can Jet Pass. With the All You Can Jet Pass you can fly anywhere you want from September 7th to October 6th-either 7 days a week with the AYJC-7 pass for $699 or 5 days a week with the AYJC-5 for $499.  They are on sale now and must be booked by August 20th or as long as supplies last. Once you purchase your pass you can start booking your flights on August 23rd.

For a limited time, Sandals Resorts is offering free companion travel to our two resorts in The Bahamas! Guests who book a minimum 4-night stay by May 10th, 2010 will receive Free Companion Airfare from US gateways! This offer is available at Sandals Emerald Bay and Sandals Royal Bahamian only.

Additionally, guests staying for seven nights or longer can get up to 1 night free at both locations!

Southwest Airlines is offering double credits if you book and travel between April 7 and May 26, too bad for me as I’ve two flights scheduled during that time that have previously been booked. I’m contacting Southwest to see if those flights will get double credit and will update the post when I hear back. Business select customers do even better -

Purchase a Business Select Fare with this promotion, and you’ll receive 2.25 credits for shorthaul flights and 3.0 credits for longhaul flights.

• Register for this promotion between April 7 and May 26, 2010.
• Book a flight for yourself between April 7 and May 26, 2010.
• Complete your travel between April 7 and May 26, 2010.

Register here