jetBlue offers $8 dollar RT fares between Long Beach Airport and Burbank Airport

Why fret over the weekend shutdown of the San Diego (405) Freeway known as Carmageddon when you can fly over it for just $4 each way?

While motorists are flocking to public transit for relief, JetBlue is offering flights to and from Long Beach and Burbank airports over the weekend to get around the potential 40-mile-long "car-tastrophe" caused by the closure of one of America's busiest freeways - the 405 freeway between the Santa Monica (10) and the Hollywood (101) freeways. Workers this weekend are demolishing the Mulholland Drive Bridge overpass to widen the carpool lane.

About two flights each way will be offered on Saturday with costs ranging from $4 to $5 for roomier seats, airline officials announced today. The price includes all taxes and fees.

"It's our shortest flight ever," said Allison Steinberg, JetBlue Airways Media Analyst, adding that the expected flight time between the two cities is 20 minutes.

The schedule for flights from Burbank to Long Beach:

•Flight 405: 12:20 to 1:05 p.m.

•Flight 1405: 6:35 to 7:10 p.m.

The flight schedule for Long Beach to Burbank:

•Flight 406: 1:50 to 2:34 p.m.

•Flight 1406: 7:55 to 8:30 p.m.

"We're helping Angelenos get over the gridlock altogether and enjoy the Valley or the beach, their favorite soccer match or a food festival, without having to brave the traffic jams to get there," said Mark Rogers, JetBlue's L.A. marketing manager. "Plus, you'll receive some of the best customer service in the industry, you can check a bag free, have the benefit of ample legroom while you tune to one of more than 100 live channels of free TV or radio stations, and snack freely, all while having a birds-eye view of the road congestion you've given up."

The announcement received praised from Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster.

"I congratulate JetBlue on taking their customer service to new heights by providing alternatives for travelers in the L.A. Basin during 'Carmageddon' weekend," Foster said in a written statement. "JetBlue's solution to Carmageddon will allow everyone in the L.A. Basin to visit Long Beach this weekend and enjoy a weekend of fun on the beach just a quick flight from Burbank."

(Karen Robes Meeks - Long Beach Press Telegram)