Sky Talk

Cheap fares out of Florida

American Airlines announced a slate of cheap fares out of Miami and Fort Lauderdale. If you live in North Texas, you've just have to find a way to get to those cities first.

Here's what Fort Worth-based American is offering out of Miami and Fort Lauderdale:

• $34 each way to the Bahamas
• $59 each way to Latin America
• $79 each way to the Caribbean

The fares are available for travel between Oct. 22 through Jan. 23. But, there are a few limitions. There are holiday blackout dates, your travel must occur on a Monday through Wednesday, and you must purchase by Oct. 23. Check American's website for other details on specific cities these fares are good for.

-David

AA.com upgraded

American Airlines has launched a previously announced ugrade to its Internet site that the carrier hopes will make it easier for customers to find affordable flights at convenient times.

As the Star-Telegram reported last month, the reservations booking tool now features an option to search by a combination of fare and schedule, and displays a grid of different fares available at different times. It also has options for "instant upgrades" to first or business class that had previously been difficult to find online. It's the latest in a series of updates to American's site that are being rolled out this year.

The update looks a lot like the fare and schedule presentation at Southwest's site. When reporters asked American officials about the similarity during a briefing last month, they said they weren't trying to mimic their Dallas rival, but said they studied the sites of all of their major competitors.

- Trebor

American inks deal with Expedia

The online travel company Expedia announced yesterday it has inked a new deal with American Airlines to provide all of the carrier's published fares, schedules and other inventory through its Expedia.com website.

Expedia Corporate Travel will also be able to once again book American's fares.

This despite the fact that, as we told you last week, American is trying to launch a new and improved website in hopes of competing with online sites from Expedia and Southlake-based Travelocity.

-David