My first thought was, this is a joke. But it’s not.

JetBlue is auctioning off “last minute” flights, getaway vacations and even “mystery destination” packages for those who wish to bid on them. And the bidding starts at “a nickel or a dime”.

Oddly enough, back in the heyday of the Internet bubble, there were several business plans for air travel auction companies –but none survived once that bubble burst.

Naturally, the airline is hoping the auction takes the bidding prices much higher than the “nickel and dime” minimum — but I’m sure they’ll be grateful for whatever they can get, even a nickel OR a dime — because otherwise these seat would probably fly empty and net them nothing during this relatively slow travel period.

Up for bidding are flights from Salt Lake to New York, Orlando to San Juan, Burbank to New York, and much more – see for yourself by clicking here. By the way, the usual taxes and fees will apply to these flights, apart from the cost of the winning bid.

Wonder if JetBlue was inspired by a certain vice-presidential candidate who said she put her state’s private jet up for auction on eBay? Or did the airline decide that this was a better marketing plan than giving the flights away on Wheel of Fortune?

Hey, it got me to write about it, so they must be on to something. JetBlue, meanwhile, tells me that if their customers like this, they may try it again.