By Dylan Moran
When Los Angeles commuters learnt of the weekend shutdown of the main freeway in their city and realised the impact it would have, there was a little bit of panic, and the two-day period has pre-emptively been dubbed ‘carmageddon’.
But airline JetBlue has risen to the occasion and today offered US $4 flights between the suburbs of Burbank and Long Beach for a 55km journey that usually takes only 40 minutes.
Local authorities are shutting down the 16km stretch of the Interstate 405 for 53 hours to demolish a side of the Mulholland Drive Bridge, as part of a US $1 billion plan to widen the freeway.
Those passengers with a little extra money to splash out could spend an extra US $1 to get the perks of earlier boarding time, early access to baggage bins and more legroom. JetBlue also offered a 40.5 percent discount for flights from Burbank or Long Beach to Las Vegas.
The scheduling of the flights will allow those who fly around five hours on the ground in each region.
JetBlue was quick to say it is not contemplating a new route between Burbank and Long Beach, but simply meeting short-term demand.
“We're helping Angelenos get over the gridlock altogether and enjoy the valley or the beach ... without having to brave the traffic jams to get there," says JetBlue marketing manager Mark Rogers.
Long Beach mayor Bob Foster has praised the airline’s customer service.
“JetBlue's solution to ‘carmageddon’ will allow everyone in the LA basin to visit Long Beach this weekend and enjoy a weekend of fun on the beach just a quick flight from Burbank,” he says.
The airline’s Airbus 320 aeroplanes will need to fly below the typical cruising altitude of 8500 meters, the special flights will require the Federal Aviation Administration and air traffic controllers to work with the company more closely than usual.
The 600 tickets for the flights sold out in under two hours. JetBlue is not the only business coming up with original ideas to help LA residents get through ‘carmageddon’ though.
- Hotel Palomar is offering a special package to help residents and visitors "survive the 405." The package, a choice of a deluxe package for $239 or the Vista Deluxe for $259, includes a two-day stay, $40.05 dining credit, complimentary parking and a "Captain Carmageddon" at the ready with advice and alternate routes to check out local attractions.
- Shutters on the Beach is offering "The Big Delay Package", a $405 nightly price on a Deluxe Room with a king bed for three nights. The deal includes a $75 dry cleaning credit and a "to go" continental breakfast for two on Monday morning.
- Movie theaters such as the Nuart and Regent Theaters are offering a free bag of "carmageddon popcorn" with the price of admission this weekend.
- Local businesses are also throwing a "Carmageddon Block Party," where stores all around the Woodman Avenue and Ventura Boulevard area are having sales which will give customers discounts at participating stores.
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