JetBlue, Virgin America and Southwest winter sales heat up -- but only for a short time

Winter airfare sales are such a distraction at this time of year. Aren’t we all supposed to be holiday shopping? Nevermind. Check out what could be good savings on fares for winter or spring break. Would you believe $19 to Las Vegas?

JetBlue Airways: Las Vegas is the sweet spot for this airfare sale. The airline’s website said Tuesday that JetBlue will fly five flights daily between Long Beach and Las Vegas and, for a limited time, will charge just $19 plus tax each way. Last week, no-frills newcomer Allegiant Air promoted a $40.68 round-trip fare on the same route to celebrate its new service, which starts Dec. 15. It will be interesting to see how this Vegas airfare war plays out – hopefully with more low fares for fliers.

Tested: I found the Vegas promotional rate for flights leaving Long Beach on March 3 and returning March 5. Total cost with tax was $59.40 -- probably less than the cost of gas to drive there and back, depending on your vehicle’s mileage.

When: You must book by 8:59 p.m. PST Monday for travel from Dec. 15 through May 16. Lots of blackout dates come with this offer, especially around the holidays. And the super-low fare isn’t available on prime weekend flying days Friday and Sunday.

Contact: JetBlue Airways(800) 538-2583

Virgin America This airline’s Cool Flights, Subzero Fares sale offers some nice discounts to Mexico, the East Coast and the West. Sample one-way airfares from Los Angeles: $169 to Cancun, Mexico (service begins Jan. 19); $39 to San Francisco; $69 to Seattle; and $109 to Boston, New York, Washington, D.C.; and Orlando, Fla. The airline began service to Dallas-Fort Worth on Wednesday with $129 fares each way. Prices don’t include taxes and fees.

When: You must book by 11:59 p.m. PST Monday for travel from Monday through May 11, with some blackout dates. The lowest fares aren’t available on Fridays and Sundays.

Tested: I checked online to see what might work for a spring-break escape to New York on April 18, returning April 23. Total round-trip price, including tax and fees: $239.42.

Contact: Virgin America, (877) 359-8474

Southwest Airlines: The Winter Travel on Sale has a different booking window and shorter travel time than the two other deals but offers discounts on more destinations. The lowest one-way fare from Los Angeles is $59 to Oakland, San Francisco, Phoenix, Reno/Tahoe, Sacramento or San Jose.

When: Buy a ticket by 11:59 p.m. Dec. 13 for travel from Jan. 4 through March 9. No blackout dates are listed for this sale, but prices are always subject to availability.

Tested: I tried to find a flight to New Orleans in time for Mardi Gras, which begins March 8. The sale rate of $141 each way was available for a March 3 departure and a March 9 return. Total cost with taxes and fees: $323.30.

Contact: Southwest Airlines, (800) 435-9792