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United Continental Holdings, Inc. announced Continental Airlines and United Airlines will boost flights between the U.S. and Mexico where the carriers provide the leading network among U.S. airlines. The service changes are consistent with the airlines’ previously announced capacity guidance.
"The new flights complement our industry-leading service to Mexico," said Jim Compton, executive vice president and chief revenue officer of United Continental Holdings, Inc. "With our expanded global network, we are focusing on linking together our key markets to improve travel options for our customers."
Daily Continental Service from Los Angeles to Leon/Guanajuato
Continental Airlines will launch daily nonstop service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Leon/Guanajuato, Mexico (BJX), subject to Mexican government approval, beginning Nov. 1. The daily service will be operated with a Boeing 737-500 aircraft, with seating for 114 customers (eight in first class and 106 in economy).
No other carrier offers more departures from the U.S. to Leon/Guanajuato, and the new service from LAX complements Continental’s existing service to Leon/Guanajuato from Houston. The airport serves the cities of Leon, known for its leather goods and shoe production; and Guanajuato, a UNESCO World Heritage site characterized by winding cobblestone streets, colonial architecture and historic sites, and home of the International Cervantes Festival.
Seasonal Continental Service from Three New Cities to Cancun
In addition,Continental Airlines filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for authority to begin once-weekly nonstop service to Cancun, Mexico, from three new cities: Austin and San Antonio, Texas, and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. These Saturday services, which are subject to government approval, would begin Feb. 19, 2011. In addition, United Airlines applied for authority to place its UA code on Continental-operated flights between these cities, further enhancing service options for customers traveling to Cancun.
Continental plans to operate the service with Boeing 737-700 aircraft, with seating for 124 customers (12 in first class and 112 in economy). Continental serves 30 destinations in Mexico, more than any other airline from the U.S.Continental currently serves Cancun 76 times weekly from its hubs in Houston, Newark and Cleveland. United currently serves Cancun 31 times weekly from Denver, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington-Dulles.
Additional United Flights to Mexico City
Additionally, United Airlines is boosting service into Mexico City from its hubs in Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. United will launch a second daily flight from Los Angeles to Mexico City beginning Oct. 15, and a third daily beginning Jan. 4, 2011. From Chicago, United’s current Saturday-only service to Mexico City will become twice-daily beginning Nov. 4. From San Francisco, daily service to Mexico City becomes twice-daily on Nov. 4. From Denver, United will offer once-daily service to Mexico City between Dec. 16 and Jan. 3, 2011. All flights will be operated with Airbus A319 and Airbus A320 aircraft.
From Washington Dulles, United currently offers daily service to Mexico City.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
