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Carol Schmidt

Jan 11, 2005, 2:32 PM

Post #1 of 10 (824 views)

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Continental flying into Queretaro soon

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Norma heard that Continental is going to start flying a 50-seat plane into Queretaro soon. Much closer and easier than Leon or Mexico City flights. I'd heard that the new expanded international airport at Queretaro was on indefinite hold, but I guess not. Anyone have any details? Stay tuned!

Carol Schmidt

gpk

Jan 11, 2005, 3:05 PM

Post #2 of 10 (812 views)

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Re: [Carol Schmidt] Continental flying into Queretaro soon

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There's a small item listed on today's Mexico Connect News Page.

ronau

Jan 11, 2005, 6:56 PM

Post #3 of 10 (794 views)

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Re: [Carol Schmidt] Continental flying into Queretaro soon

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When we were in Queretaro over Thanksgiving week we drove out to the old airport to ask about the changes. The people working there told us the new airport would open the next week and handed us that day's newspaper which had front page headlines outlining the operations of the new airport which is evidently south of the city. Everyone seemed very excited about it and they were saying that one of the first international flights was to be from San Antonio on either Continental or Delta. We're not sure what has happened there since, but we do know that American now has daily direct flights from Dallas to San Luis Potosi, which is still a shorter distance for us than Leon. We hope to try it in the next couple of months and see how it goes.

Texwheel

Jan 11, 2005, 9:44 PM

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Re: [ronau] Continental flying into Queretaro soon

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For those of you who might not be aware of changes in prices for many US continental (if not international) flights, Delta has just announced a major change in pricing policy. The best I can tell, this causes a reduction in last minute flight booking fares and eliminates the need for a Saturday stay over to qualify for lower fares. This may have little or no affect on those of us who shop diligently for fares with restrictions, but the trade thinks this could adversely affect some almost bankrupt airlines.

To misquote Southwest Airlines, they would need to ' raise their fares' to match these new ones by Delta. My gosh...can we ever get SW to fly to Mexico?

AND SW has formed an allaince with ATA, duplicating flights/flight numbers, theoretically helping both airlines to be more competitive on certain routes, especially hubbing in Chicago.

AND SW is trying to mount another legal challenge to the Wright Amendment, which for the non-Texans among us, limits destinations for flights out of Love Field in Dallas to,basically, neighboring states...this was enacted by congress to limit competition for DFW Airport thereby helping its initial competitive posture. AND, SW may pick up some DFW gates for the first time. Does all this tell you something?

Now what does this mean for Mexico? I just bet given the right circumstances SW could leap into Mexican service in a heart beat. IMHO. They are now a huge airline, and they don't want to make tiny increases in their business. That's not their style.

And no, SW doesn't run like a Rolex watch. They run like a Casio or Fossil, which keep much better time, are more efficient and are much more creative and change oriented. SW isn't jewelry. It is a jewel. And no, I do not own any shares of SW, though some of my mutual funds damn well better!!
Tom Williams
Georgetown, Texas
Texwheel@aol.com

abq

Jan 12, 2005, 5:39 AM

Post #5 of 10 (773 views)

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Re: [ronau] Continental flying into Queretaro soon

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I just checked the Continental web site. The fare was $686 RT to Albuquerque ($486 Houston) At that price I'll probably stick with Mexico City.

abq

Jan 12, 2005, 5:47 AM

Post #6 of 10 (769 views)

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Re: [abq] Continental flying into Queretaro soon

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Wow, the fare just dropped! Less than $600 to Abq!!

Cynthia7

Jan 12, 2005, 12:41 PM

Post #7 of 10 (739 views)

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Re: [abq] Continental flying into Queretaro soon

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Don't they usually have introductry fares the first couple of weeks they have a new flight? That's the time to fly. I love that 50 seat jet. I pretend it is mine and all the passengers are my guests..

wmhwilson

Feb 25, 2005, 2:20 PM

Post #8 of 10 (583 views)

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Re: [Carol Schmidt] Continental flying into Queretaro soon

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We have Continental in Philadelphia and wonder whether it's better to fly to Queretaro or Leon? SW just opened a hub in PHL but looks like it's almost impossible to get to SMA
-- Bill
Bill and Jackie Wilson
Wallingford,PA

Carol Schmidt

Feb 25, 2005, 3:53 PM

Post #9 of 10 (575 views)

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Re: [wmhwilson] Continental flying into Queretaro soon

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I don't know anyone who has come into Queretaro yet, but flying into Leon is easy. See www.viajessanmiguel.com for one of the shuttle companies which will meet you at the airport and take you right to your hotel in SMA, 90 minutes, around $25.

Carol Schmidt

Tequisbob

Feb 27, 2005, 8:17 AM

Post #10 of 10 (538 views)

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Re: [Carol Schmidt] Continental flying into Queretaro soon

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On March 17th Continental is starting their new service from Houston to Queretaro's new aeropuerto. The flight will leave Houston daily at 8:40pm and arrive at the new airport at 10:55pm. The return flight to Houston leaves at 7:00AM and arrives at IAH at 9:10am.
The new Queretaro Aeropuerto is midway between Queretaro and Tequisquiapan. It is on the old highway but may be accessed off the Autopista at the Aeropuerto/Bernal exit.
Cost of the flight from Houston is $348.07.
For those of us who have homes in Tequisquiapan it is much more convenient than flying into Leon or Mexico City. For those of you in San Miguel that is a decision you will have to make. I now can fly out of Dallas/Fort Worth and arrive at My Tequis home in 3-hours....it used to be 5 hours from D/FW to Leon..then by car 90-miles...or from La Capital it could be a two hour flight and five or six hours by bus or car to Queretaro and another 45-minutes to Tequis. The plane is indeed a 50-passenger Embraer. The new Aeropuerto is fully functional and now operating..although it is 1 1/2 years late. The new airport is just 18-miles from mi casa.