Southwest Airlines offers major deal on airfares. Here's what Louisville travelers can get

Gas prices are rising, but Louisville travelers still have time to save on airfares.

Southwest Airlines announced a three-day sale Tuesday with 40% off base fares for flights in the late summer and fall into early November, according to a news release. The sale runs through 11:59 p.m. Thursday.

For Louisville residents, this opens the door to some cheap flights.

For example, a one-way flight from Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) to Chicago's Midway International Airport (MDW) can cost as little as $72. Prices are also that low flying out of both Indianapolis International Airport (IND) and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). To fly to New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA), the lowest price was $87.

"We're thrilled to offer our customers a substantial discount on our low fares for flights as soon as late summer and into the fall," said Bill Tierney, Southwest Airlines vice president of marketing and digital experience, said in a statement.

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Tierney added that the sale should help to make travel "more affordable and easier" for customers.

To save 40% when purchasing "qualifying base fares," customers can use the code "FALL40" in the promo box on Southwest.com. Travel must occur between Aug. 16 and Nov. 5 with discounts applying before taxes and fees.

The promotion is valid for both one-way and round trip "Wanna Get Away," "Wanna Get Away Plus," "Anytime" and "Business Select" fares.

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In April, airline tickets jumped by 18.6%, the largest one-month increase since the Bureau of Labor Statistics started tracking the figures in 1963.

In the first three months of this year, travel spending exceeded spending on general merchandise, which is tapering off. In March, consumers spent $1,290 on average for travel compared with $819 on general merchandise, data from wealth management firm Personal Capital showed.

Reach reporter Thomas Birmingham @TBirmingham@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @cthomasbirm.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Southwest Airlines: Low prices from Louisville airport