Report: Flying could be cheaper

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Many people are already on the road traveling for the holiday weekend.

According to AAA, about 37 million Americans will travel for 50 miles or more for Independence Day Weekend.

The report also predicts a 16 percent decrease in airline fares for the 2009 Independence Day weekend. It cites discounts and pent up demand for the change.

'Actually, it was really easy to get a last minute flight,' said Ehren Ezzell, who plans to spend July 4th in Las Vegas. Ezzell said he paid about $180 one-way, and he used frequent flyer miles for his return flight.

Anita Lowe was not as fortunate.

'[Air Fares were] not as great as we were hoping for,' she said.

Lowe is traveling with her husband to Central Florida to celebrate the couple's anniversary.

'We did get a discount online, internet-wise, ' she said.

The report cites a nationwide study that claims airline customers can get round trip fares as low as $169 in many places.

It said, overall, holiday travel had declined since last year.