Photo via Flickr/Motox810
Southwest Airlines is making it even easier for a quick two-hour jaunt from Southern California to the tip of the Baja Peninsula. The U.S.-based carrier has announced the planned April 25, 2017 launch (subject to requisite governmental approvals) of new nonstop international service from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to San Jose del Cabo (SJD).
In that step, "America's Finest City" will join Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) and Orange County (SNA) as Southwest's fourth Golden State gateway with nonstop service to Mexico. Oakland (OAK) is expected to add to that tally in February with nonstop service to Los Cabos.
The San Diego-Los Cabos addition brings to 31 the number of destinations Southwest will serve from San Diego. The carrier will provide a third option to Alaska Airlines and Spirit Airlines (seasonal) that service the international route.
Earlier in January, Southwest nodded to its San Diego commitment with the addition of domestic routes to Salt Lake City and Boise on June 4, plus seasonal service to Spokane, Newark and Indianapolis.
"Cabo and the five new domestic destinations we announced earlier this month from San Diego further solidify our mission to be the 'Mission City's' hometown carrier," says Leah Koontz, Southwest's vice president controller, who recently hosted the airline's celebration events in San Diego.
To further show its "love" for San Diego, Southwest dispensed street teams to surprise future travelers randomly with gifts from a bank of two million Rapid Rewards Points and $20,000 in gift cards.
Additional Southwest Growth
South Florida is also experiencing strong support from the carrier. Taking flight on June 4 will be nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale and Grand Cayman (subject to requisite governmental approvals). Set to open just prior to the summer travel season, the new five-gate international Concourse A at Broward County's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) Terminal 1 will allow Southwest to serve international destinations of Cancun, Belize City and Montego Bay.
"Besides time-saving nonstop service for Southern Californians and South Floridians, these new international flights also bring additional itinerary options for many of our customers in the west and east," says Dave Harvey, managing director of Business Development.
Harvey adds, "For years, Southwest has carried more California passengers each day to, from and within the Golden State than any other airline, and our growing portfolio of international offerings from Fort Lauderdale underscore our commitment to connecting both regions to places travelers find attractive and important."
Celebration Fare Sale
To celebrate these newbie international nonstop options, limited time low fares include:
- San Diego to San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos, Mexico for as low as $104 one-way beginning April 25, 2017
- Fort Lauderdale to Grand Cayman for as low as $89 one-way beginning June 6, 2017
These fares are available for purchase through Jan. 26, 2017, 11:59pm in the time zone of the originating U.S. city. Travel from San Diego to San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos must occur on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between April 25-Aug. 9, 2017. To check fare terms and conditions or to book flights, visit Southwest's website. Also call 800-435-9792.
Cross Border Xpress Adds to SoCal Flight Options
Coinciding with Southwest's announcement are infrastructure improvements at Tijuana's A.L. Rodriguez International Airport (TIJ). Easing access to TIJ, the Cross Border Xpress (CBX) opened in late 2015 as an enclosed, privately owned pedestrian thoroughfare connecting TIJ to the U.S.-Mexico border crossing at Otay Mesa, California. Considered the second-best connected airport in Mexico, TIJ is more of a complement than a competitor to San Diego International Airport.
CBX gives ticketed airline passengers the chance to avoid long northbound lines at the Otay Mesa and nearby San Ysidro ports of entry. For those with trepidation about driving into Tijuana, they can now park their car on the U.S. side for $17 a day, purchase a one-way or round-trip CBX pass for $16 or $30 respectively, and stroll across the 390-foot enclosed skywalk to catch a flight at TIJ.
The CBX facility includes 850 parking spaces, car rental booths, CBP inspection area, airline ticket counters, plus opportunities to connect with Uber vehicles, taxis and inter-city buses.
While CBX users face additional charges for bridge crossing and parking, those fees are typically offset by reduced airfares for Mexico domestic flights provided by such carriers as Volaris, Aereocalafia, Interjet, Aeromexico, Aeromexico Connect and Viva Aerobus.
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