Southwest Airlines Cheap Flight Service to Mexico Connecting With Mexican Carrier Volaris

Travelers looking for cheap trips to Mexico will be able to book their flights through Southwest Airlines beginning Nov. 12, connecting with low-cost Mexican carrier Volaris through Los Angeles, Oakland and San Jose, officials announced Thursday.

The code-share agreement will allow airline passengers in 20 cities currently served by Southwest to directly book Volaris flights to Cancun, Guadalajara, Morelia, Zacatecas and Toluca for travel beginning Dec. 1.

“The objective of this partnership is to provide a convenient and affordable itinerary for our customers, while offering a higher level of service to both sides of the border,” said Enrique Beltranena, CEO of Volaris, which began offering flights out of Los Angeles International Airport in May 2009.

The move will create about 85 new flight itineraries for the carriers and is expected to help boost passenger traffic at LAX, one of the three California airports where travelers will catch connecting flights to Mexico.

“Volaris is one of the fastest-growing airlines at LAX, and today’s announcement of a partnership with one of our most popular carriers only means added benefits for LAX passengers,” said Michael Molina, deputy executive director of external affairs at LAX.

Southwest Airlines initially announced its intent to link up with Volaris two years ago, said Bob Jordan, the carrier’s executive vice president of strategy and planning.

Jordan said he hopes Southwest will eventually provide additional international destinations as Volaris, Mexico’s second-busiest carrier, continues to grow. The move also comes as Southwest is paying $1.41 billion to acquire Air Tran, which already offers flights to Mexico.

“We have worked diligently to create a unique product that will uphold our high levels of customer service, stimulate additional revenue for both carriers and offer great new destinations for both airlines’ customers,” Jordan said.

Volaris Airlines Start Daily Direct Flights to Guadalajara

Volaris Airlines announced flight service to San Jose International Airport, Guadalajara. Services direct daily flights to Guadalajara will begin in late April, 2010.

Volaris CEO Enrigue Beltranena said San Jose is a big attraction for Mexican traveling on both business or pleasure.

“The Hispanic market makes up about 30 percent of the total population in San Jose, and we’re certain that we’ll soon gain momentum with our clients as we did when we launched U.S. service last year,” Beltranena said.
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Airlines Companies Add New Flight Routes As Others Make Cuts

The economy remains sluggish, but some airlines are expanding services and celebrating at 30,000 feet in the air.

Virgin America, the 2-year-old airline based in San Francisco, said this week that it will add nonstop flights from California to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida. Read more

Southwest Airlines plans to sell travel to Mexico

Southwest Airlines Co. said Monday it is entering a code-share agreement with Mexican airline Volaris that will allow Southwest customers to book flights to Mexico.

Under the code share, the airlines will coordinate flight schedules and reservation systems, allowing Southwest customers to book flights to Mexico using both carriers.
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