A number of sources have written recently that Southwest Airlines isn't so low-cost anymore. Apparently, the airline took it to heart, at least for a couple of days. In response, it announced airfare specials for its 40 years of service on Tuesday (June 21, 2011).

Fares are $40, $80 or $120 each way. Examples include Chicago, St. Louis and Omaha for $40 each leg, Albuquerque and Denver for $80 and Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, San Diego and Seattle for $120. About 70 destinations from Minneapolis are listed. From this link, click on "view cities and fares."

Restrictions: The trip must be booked by Thursday for travel between Aug. 23 and Nov. 16. Blackout dates are Sept. 1, Sept. 5-6, and Oct. 10. Travel on this fare is not allowed on Fridays and Sundays. Fares are non-refundable but may be applied to future travel on Southwest.

Only flights from Minneapolis to Denver, Phoenix, Chicago and St. Louis are non-stop.