Airline Offer Cheaper Flights Over Holiday Weekend

MINNEAPOLIS - Air travelers are getting an unexpected surprise, cheaper flights. Airlines are selling tickets at reduced rates to try and fill seats.

The biggest reason for lower prices is decreased demand. People aren't flying as much as they used to. It means better rates for those who are taking off this summer.

Bonnie Martin is flying out for July 4 with her three daughters. Martin says she bought their tickets, after noticing cheaper prices. They paid about a $100 less, for each ticket to San Francisco.

Andy Strauss scooped up a low fare to Phoenix, Arizona on Wednesday night. He was surprised prices weren’t increased. Instead, airlines are offering big-time deals to fill seats.

An analysis for USA Today shows fares for travel are as much as 63 percent lower than last summer.

The website found round trip tickets from the Twin Cities to Salt Lake City at $178 dollars, almost $200 cheaper than at the same time last year. The website also found tickets Minneapolis to New York, for only $138, down from $238 last year.