Deep Sleep in the Vegas Airport (Photo)

It's 8:30 in the morning at the Vegas airport and this guy is passed out stone cold in the gate area for our San Francisco-bound flight. His i-phone was laying nearby and continuously ringing (alarm clock). He slept right through it. Finally a brave woman approached, took the phone and placed the alarm into "snooze" mode. Minutes later, the rings began again.

Despite what appears like an awkward sleeping position, there were no signs he was prepared to awaken for his early morning flight.

(Photo edited to protect the innocent)

U.S Airways Dropping Oakland to Las Vegas Flights

Airline routes news is reporting that U.S Airways is dropping the daily Oakland to Las Vegas flight. The change is effective August 18th. The Oakland-Las Vegas city pair is part of 18 other routes being cut from the Las Vegas hub.

Allegiant Air To Offer Monterey - Las Vegas Flights

Beginning May 30th, Allegiant Airlines will introduce non-stop flights from Monterey to Las Vegas. The flights will be operated by a 150-seater MD-80 aircraft, and depart Monterey at 3 p.m. on Wednesday's, Friday's and Sunday's.

Visit http://www.allegiantair.com/ for more information.

Several New Airline Routes & Destinations Begin This Summer

By Mike Grasso
Despite the recent pullback in the airline industry, new routes and destinations are being introduced throughout the Bay Area this summer. Although the airlines are thinning the total number of available seats in some markets by reducing plane size and limiting daily departures, they continue to expand in markets they deem profitable, either by anticipated market demand and/or government subsidies.

I've compiled a list of new routes, sorted by departure city, which will begin operating this summer, many in May and June alone. The list includes many exciting visits soon accessible from San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, and Monterey Airports.

With these added destinations, now is the time to begin thinking about Summer vacation plans!

San Francisco to:

• Austin, TX - JetBlue
• Milwaukee, WI- AirTran (seasonal service)
• Victoria, BC- United Express
• Bellingham, WA- Allegiant Airlines
• Kalispell, MT- United Express (seasonal service)
• Missoula, MT- United Express (seasonal service)
• Zurich, CH- BelAir Airlines (charter/seasonal service)
• North Bend, OR- United Express
• Klamath Falls, OR- United Express
• Dubai, UAE- Emirates Airlines (Begins October 26)
  

San Jose to:

• Denver, CO- Southwest Airlines
• Long Beach, CA- JetBlue

Oakland to:

• Honolulu, HI- Hawaiian Airlines
• Austin, TX- Southwest
  

Sacramento to:

• Philadelphia, PA- U.S Airways
• Charlotte, NC- U.S Airways
  

Monterey to:

• Las Vegas, NV- Allegiant Airlines

San Francisco to Las Vegas $97 RT/ taxes included

Virgin America is currently offering a $96.50 roundtrip - taxes included fare from S.F to Vegas. Travel is valid 7 days a week, through June 11th. visit http://www.virginamerica.com/

Hot Hot DING fares

It's been a while since we've seen some good Southwest Airlines Ding! fares, but now they're back! You must download the DING! program (free) onto your PC or MAC in order to see DING! fares. Purchase by 3pm Central Time Wednesday, for travel during certain days in March and April. Prices below are one way, before tax. Example fares:

Oakland-Los Angeles or Reno $38
Oakland-Spokane $51
Oakland-Austin $71
Sacramento-Seattle or Spokane $51
Sacramento-Las Vegas $55

More information on DING! can be found here.

Santa Rosa - Las Vegas (non-stop!) begins April 24th

Thanks to added service out of Santa Rosa airport, North Bay flyers will soon have access to non-stop flights into Las Vegas. Beginning April 24th, Horizon airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines, will operate a single daily flight on this route utilizing a 76-seat Q-400 (pictured to the left) turboprop aircraft. Introductory fares are available for as little as $69 each way.

In addition to this point-to-point route, Horizon began flights from Santa Rosa to its Portland, Seattle and Los Angeles hubs or "focus cities" last March. Visit www.horizonair.com for more information.

SAN FRANCISCO - LAS VEGAS $98 ROUNDTRIP, TAXES INCLUDED.   U.S AIR

Fare is $78+tax and available mostly in February, a few days in March.  Most other airlines charging at least $10-$20 more for this route currently.  Visit www.usairways.com and choose the "low fare finder" bubble. 

The Southern Sky over the Bay Area

Hardly matching the grand appearance Virgin America flaunted to the people of San Francisco, Southern Sky Airlines will quietly commence flights from Oakland and Sacramento in the next couple months. The charter airline, established by Aviation Advantage, is currently selling tickets from Oakland-Las Vegas ($69/each way) for flights beginning March 11th. Flights direct from Sacramento to Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco will be offered as well.

Visit: http://www.southernskyways.com/

SFO-Las Vegas Air & Hotel package (with extras!) for Under $200 bucks

Amazing Las Vegas hotel & air package.
TravelZoo posted a deal at the Monte Carlo Hotel in Las Vegas... $50 bucks a night, including great perks like 2 free buffets, 2 admissions to their spa, $10 in slot pay, and 2 cocktails. Minimum 2 night stay. GREAT offer viewable here.

Combine that hotel deal with the Virgin America 2 for 1 promo mentioned here a few days ago... $50 bucks per person round-trip to Las Vegas, and you have a great vacation getaway!

Virgin America begins SFO-Las Vegas service today

With 5 daily non-stops, Virgin America will commence service to Las Vegas from SFO later this morning. The airline will be flying in congested skies however as Southwest has over 20 daily flights from SFO&OAK and United 8 from its SFO hub. Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson will be at SFO for the launch of this new route.

72 hour sale from Orbitz (today is the last day to book!) $50 off 2+ night hotel stays. Travel must be completed by November 15th. Use code 72HRSAVE50. For example, I was able to pull up a mid-week rate at the Imperial Palace or Hilton Grand Vacations Club - both 3 star hotels on the Las Vegas strip for under $100 bucks for both nights, taxes included. Click here for more info

Click here to enter to win a Southwest Airlines air/hotel package to Caesars Palace Las Vegas and experience one of Celine Dion’s last performances. Enter by 9/27