Update: Delta Jumped in Yesterday (while some others sales are expiring, but I look for them torevive them with shorter advance purchase)

I bought my Thanksgiving tickets back in June, because I expected oil to be at $200 a barrel by now – the possibility of cheap flights for the holidays never crossed my mind.

And believe me, I never would have believed cross-counry flights for about $100 one-way would be available as late as Nov. 11^th!

Things got off to a rousing start this morning, with Southwest’s 3-day winter sale – and take a look at these other holiday sales:

• American Airlines Holiday Sales
• Northwest Airlines Holiday Sales
• United’s Domestic and United’s International Holiday Sale

I did some analysis of Southwest’s winter sale, and saw extensive matching by legacy airlines, including the following:

• American, Dallas/Ft. Worth – matched on 57 routes
• Continental, Houston – matched on 56 routes
• United, Denver – matched on 42 routes

Earlier this year, I heard about some travelers who’d started doing the math – on flying vs. driving. If they (or you) opted to hit the road – take another look at the airfares. You may be in for a terrific surprise.