California Cheap Flights Low Fares

Low-cost flights make California a travel bargain this summer, with Zoom's new cheap flights from London to San Diego and Southwest Airlines' budget fares from Denver.

I'm always on the lookout for cheap flights. And these days, with fuel surcharges ever on the rise, snagging budget air fares is even more important. Finding cheap transatlantic flights is increasingly difficult, so I was overjoyed to learn that low-cost carrier Zoom Airlines is launching a new service next month with budget flights from London to San Diego.

The new London-San Diego route begins on June 20. There are two flights a week, on Mondays and Fridays, to and from London Gatwick. When I checked the website, the lowest economy fares started at £299 return from London, and $660 roundtrip from San Diego, including taxes, fees and fuel surcharge.

San Diego may seem an unusual cheap flight destination. But I was more surprised to find that even though it is California's second-largest city, there is no other direct, non-stop flight between San Diego and Europe. Around 80,000 passengers fly to London from here each year, but currently they have to change planes at other US airport hubs.

I flew Zoom from London to New York last December and was highly impressed with their service. No need to worry about cramped conditions on this budget airline. I had as much – if not more – leg room and personal space than on many larger international airlines.

For more information, see my article on Zoom's cheap flights to San Diego.

Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines has been doing some California dreamin' of its own. It is offering cheap fares on non-stop flights from Denver to several west coast cities for $69 or $79 one way. California cities for these budget flights include San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento and San Jose.

Tickets for these cheap flights are on sale through June 4, for travel through October 30, 2008. So go get some California sunshine.

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