Hello, anybody there?
Nov 1, 2001, 4:33 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Arizona
Programs: MSP raised, Elite since age 17
Posts: 4,723
Hey, someone tried to revive AeroCalifornia and I didn't notice..... :-O
Let's try this again:
So what do you guys thing about the proposed trans-border connection between San Ysidro/suburban San Diego and the Tijuana Airport? Would an easier crossing directly into TIJ airport build market share for AeroCalifornia, since people traveling Southern California to Mexico would have access to AeroCalifornia's many direct flights, and they would avoid the ~$80 taxes for customs and immigration??
Let's try this again:
So what do you guys thing about the proposed trans-border connection between San Ysidro/suburban San Diego and the Tijuana Airport? Would an easier crossing directly into TIJ airport build market share for AeroCalifornia, since people traveling Southern California to Mexico would have access to AeroCalifornia's many direct flights, and they would avoid the ~$80 taxes for customs and immigration??
Nov 9, 2001, 9:52 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Arizona
Programs: MSP raised, Elite since age 17
Posts: 4,723
Earlier this week, I heard from a very reliable source (a key decisionmaker in the plan) that the Cross Border Terminal plans are about to be scrapped unless the private-sector developer makes great headway soon in advancing the project.
So I guess AeroCalifornia flyers from San Diego and SoCal will have to continue crossing the border through existing ports of entry to reach the TIJ airport.
So I guess AeroCalifornia flyers from San Diego and SoCal will have to continue crossing the border through existing ports of entry to reach the TIJ airport.
Jan 9, 2002, 9:49 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Arizona
Programs: MSP raised, Elite since age 17
Posts: 4,723
Well.... *looks around sheepishly* .... _I've_ never flown them.... but I have friends who have. ;-) No, the think is, domestic fares in Mexico are soooo expensive because of lack of competition: I am in El Paso/Juarez and I'd like to visit friends in Monterrey. The nonstop flight is 90 min. The lowest round trip fare is $428!! So, many times I transit the US on Continental when flying far in Mexico since earning twice the mileage by flying twice the distance, plus elite bonses, upgrades, etc. make it worthwhile for me. In the past, I have taken MX and AM, but I haven't had a chance to fly AeroCalifornia.
But...... as I mentioned, air service in Mexico is very limited, and considering that AM and MX have the same parent-- essentially MX flies from all cities into Mexico City; AM and its commuters fly nonstop between other destinations; both split international destinations. AeroCalifornia grew out of need to serve the far northwestern part of Mexico, since long distances between Tijuana and the interior, and the Gulf of California make travel in that region difficult by car.
For the most part, though, travel within Mexico is easy, convenient, and comfortable by bus. There are several classes, and the top classes give you very large reclining seats-- literally along the lines of international business class, with only 6 rows of 3 seats across on each bus. Passengers get snacks and unlimited beverages.
I don't have trouble sleeping overnight on buses, and from Monterrey, you can go directly to most destinations north of Mexico City in less than 12 hours overnight. Tickets are relatively cheap: $50 one way for an overnight top of the line bus, with no restrictions, refundable until 4 hours before departure time. What's more, buses are half price for Mexican students (incl. exchange students) during break periods.
Check out these links: for the Uno line in the east along the Gulf of Mexico http://www.uno.com.mx/services.html
ETN has premier service in the central part of Mexico https://sunetn.etn.com.mx/etn/spanish/frame/inicio.html
Turistar has service throughout the northern part of Mexico. Here's a page with info on dozens of different bus lines: http://paginas.deagrapa.com/viajes/autobuses/
So, I guess this post is somewhat off topic, but Mexico could really use more competition in air service to raise the level of service bar, and reduce fares, just as long distance bus lines are competitive.
But...... as I mentioned, air service in Mexico is very limited, and considering that AM and MX have the same parent-- essentially MX flies from all cities into Mexico City; AM and its commuters fly nonstop between other destinations; both split international destinations. AeroCalifornia grew out of need to serve the far northwestern part of Mexico, since long distances between Tijuana and the interior, and the Gulf of California make travel in that region difficult by car.
For the most part, though, travel within Mexico is easy, convenient, and comfortable by bus. There are several classes, and the top classes give you very large reclining seats-- literally along the lines of international business class, with only 6 rows of 3 seats across on each bus. Passengers get snacks and unlimited beverages.
I don't have trouble sleeping overnight on buses, and from Monterrey, you can go directly to most destinations north of Mexico City in less than 12 hours overnight. Tickets are relatively cheap: $50 one way for an overnight top of the line bus, with no restrictions, refundable until 4 hours before departure time. What's more, buses are half price for Mexican students (incl. exchange students) during break periods.
Check out these links: for the Uno line in the east along the Gulf of Mexico http://www.uno.com.mx/services.html
ETN has premier service in the central part of Mexico https://sunetn.etn.com.mx/etn/spanish/frame/inicio.html
Turistar has service throughout the northern part of Mexico. Here's a page with info on dozens of different bus lines: http://paginas.deagrapa.com/viajes/autobuses/
So, I guess this post is somewhat off topic, but Mexico could really use more competition in air service to raise the level of service bar, and reduce fares, just as long distance bus lines are competitive.
Jan 9, 2002, 10:45 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Reality, Freedom • Fly Tarom •
Programs: AF FB Platinum For Life (F+ Rouge Vintage®) / Hertz President's Circle / SNCF Grand Voyageur Le Club
Posts: 10,077
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Well.... *looks around sheepishly* .... _I've_ never flown them.... but I have friends who have.</font>
Jan 11, 2002, 11:46 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Arizona
Programs: MSP raised, Elite since age 17
Posts: 4,723
No problem, Blair. 
One thing that you can do out of Mexico is the Mexican Hat Dance, posted a while ago: fares from Mexico to Canada sometimes offer stopovers, so a person could visit a few cities in Mexico and the U.S. en route to Canada. As far as AeroCalifornia is concerned, they serve a number of cities from Mexico City and from Tijuana; to use them on a Mexican Hat Dance itinerary, you can fly from MEX to about anywhere in northern Mexico, then from there into TIJ. Aerocalifornia and Aeromexico have daily TIJ-LAX flights, then you can continue north on another carrier into Canada.
One thing that you can do out of Mexico is the Mexican Hat Dance, posted a while ago: fares from Mexico to Canada sometimes offer stopovers, so a person could visit a few cities in Mexico and the U.S. en route to Canada. As far as AeroCalifornia is concerned, they serve a number of cities from Mexico City and from Tijuana; to use them on a Mexican Hat Dance itinerary, you can fly from MEX to about anywhere in northern Mexico, then from there into TIJ. Aerocalifornia and Aeromexico have daily TIJ-LAX flights, then you can continue north on another carrier into Canada.