Deal alert: Summer flights to New Orleans for as low as $138 round trip

In the midst of a summer travel season in which great deals are hard to find, we’ve written quite a few deal alerts about the autumn months with prices dropping off as we get into September and October. That being said, a great opportunity has presented itself: summer travel at a great price, which will see you enjoying great food and music. We’re talking, of course, about New Orleans.

Having visited the Big Easy twice this year, I can tell you there’s no shortage of incredible food and drink, and jazz, not to mention the fun it is simply walking around the French Quarter.

Right now, you can book trips as early as August at a great price – around $150, round trip, and far below that for some cities.

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Compare that to $330 – that was the average price for a domestic round trip ticket during the second quarter of 2022, according to booking and airfare analysis site Hopper. Prices have continued to rise since then, too.

Personally, in my two visits to New Orleans this year, I’ve paid $400 and above for each round trip – so this is a significant discount.

You can capitalize on these prices to get an extra, perhaps unexpected trip on the calendar for August, or for when temperatures at home (but not so much in New Orleans) begin to cool off a bit in September and October.

Scott’s Cheap Flights was the first to point out these great deals to New Orleans. The site will send you economy deals for a $49 premium membership, with alerts that flag first, business and premium economy deal starting at $199.

Related: When is the best time to book flights for cheap airfare in 2022?

Deal Basics

Airlines: American, Delta, United, Spirit

Routes: New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta, Miami, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin and others to New Orleans

How to book: Directly through the airline or Google Flights

Travel dates: August through October

Sample Flights

All three of the legacy U.S. carriers have availability from certain cities on flights to New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) for around $150 and below beginning during the early part of August through October.

Spirit Airlines also has deals much closer to the $100 mark for a base fare, even as low as $88 round trip out of Dallas, but take note of the fees – you may pay as much as $85 for a full-sized carry-on bag.

On the other hand, if you live in a major U.S. city in the East or Midwest, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find a round-trip flight late this summer to New Orleans as part of this deal.

There are a lot of options in the $150 to $160 range, and in the $130 to $140 range for the round trip.

Here are just a few we found for economy deals:

• Newark/Liberty International (EWR) to New Orleans (MSY) for $178 on American
• Miami (MIA) to New Orleans (MSY) for $138 on American
• Detroit (DTW) to New Orleans (MSY) for $178 on Delta
• Philadelphia (PHL) to New Orleans (MSY) for $138 on American
• Houston-Intercontinental (IAH) to New Orleans (MSY) for $188 on United
• Chicago-O’Hare (ORD) to New Orleans (MSY) for $158 on American
• Austin (AUS) to New Orleans (MSY) for $138 on American

While most of these deals extend into the autumn months, we paid particularly close attention to August availability, since it’s a unique opportunity to get a great deal on travel before the summer season ends. This United Airlines itinerary out of Newark/Liberty involves nonstop flights to New Orleans near the end of August for $178, round trip.

You’ll have options within this deal range on all of the big three carriers out of Chicago. This American Airlines itinerary goes for $158 out of O’Hare, with flights over two hours to and from New Orleans.

Delta has availability around the $150 mark from a number of its East and Midwest hubs. For instance, you can get a round trip out of Atlanta for $158 in mid-August, with short flights of around 90 minutes in each direction.

It’s also a quick flight to New Orleans from Austin, with $138 for the round trip aboard American Airlines. You can also get nonstop flights at that same price point out of American hubs in Philadelphia and Miami.

Related: The first-timer’s guide to New Orleans

Maximize your purchase

Use the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card for 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards.® Get 5 Amex Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked through the airlines or through American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year) when you book your trip with The Platinum Card® from American Express. Meanwhile, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns you 5 miles per dollar on flights purchased through Capital One Travel.

Bottom line

As we approach mid-July, it’s certainly not getting easier, by and large, to find good deals on summer travel. This is an exception to that trend. Whether you’re looking to get one more trip on the calendar before the season is over or get away for a weekend this fall, be sure to lock in this airfare before prices go up.