BajaNomad

Westjet coming to Loreto

ligui - 5-28-2014 at 05:09 AM

Saw that Westjet will be flying into Loreto starting next Febuary . Anyone taken a ride with them ?

Howard - 5-28-2014 at 05:23 AM

From where?

ligui - 5-28-2014 at 05:35 AM

In an article about a travel show that loreto was part of . Says they made a deal with Westjet at the show to start coming in feb.

Got to head off to work but will find and post it later . :yes:

windgrrl - 5-28-2014 at 06:19 AM

Westjet is a well-known Canadian company with it's head office in Calgary, Alberta. They started as a western regional carrier and are expanding their international routes. They are a private company, partly employee owned. They have been flying to Cabo for more than the last decade. They are known for good service and a personal touch for the most part. I've flown to SJD with them many times. Always reliable, good prices if you're Canadian.

shari - 5-28-2014 at 06:30 AM

that would be fantastic...where would they fly out of? Great news for my paisanos who cant/wont fly out of the States....Vancouver to Loreto would be too good to be true.

Hook - 5-28-2014 at 08:08 AM

I'ts amazing that ANY company could afford to fly anything as large as a 737/DC 9 to Loreto. How could it be feasible, unless there are substantial subsidies involved?

Or, unless Westjet has investments in Loreto that they would be feeding customers?

Over here, Guaymas, Sonora, a town of 130,000 with an additional 5,000 in San Carlos (a resort area), lost their only intl flights over a year ago. How big is Loreto in population?

I assume that the Loreto flight would become part of a one-stop run to Cabo? Maybe they are reducing one of their non-stops to Cabo.........

[Edited on 5-28-2014 by Hook]

Howard - 5-28-2014 at 08:14 AM

Lets keep the hope for a Vancouver-LAX-LTO schedule!

Loretana - 5-28-2014 at 09:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Howard
Lets keep the hope for a Vancouver-LAX-LTO schedule!


You mean the "Loreto Bay Express"?

Like Alaska Air Flights 708/2601 inbound
Flights 2602/701 outbound....?

Been operating for 7 years now......

micah202 - 5-28-2014 at 09:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
I'ts amazing that ANY company could afford to fly anything as large as a 737/DC 9 to Loreto. How could it be feasible, unless there are substantial subsidies involved?
Or, unless Westjet has investments in Loreto that they would be feeding customers?
Over here, Guaymas, Sonora, a town of 130,000 with an additional 5,000 in San Carlos (a resort area), lost their only intl flights over a year ago. How big is Loreto in population?
I assume that the Loreto flight would become part of a one-stop run to Cabo? Maybe they are reducing one of their non-stops to Cabo.........
[Edited on 5-28-2014 by Hook]


.
...yeh,,it would seem there's something going on with that,,,certainly Loreto's always had some developments pushing for customers...but yes it'd be -lovely- to have a direct flight in there for canucks,,,especially not having to say hello to the US's friendly-border guys!
... guaymas,,sanCarlos,,,some happy memories from there!

Bajahowodd - 5-28-2014 at 05:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
I'ts amazing that ANY company could afford to fly anything as large as a 737/DC 9 to Loreto. How could it be feasible, unless there are substantial subsidies involved?

Or, unless Westjet has investments in Loreto that they would be feeding customers?

Over here, Guaymas, Sonora, a town of 130,000 with an additional 5,000 in San Carlos (a resort area), lost their only intl flights over a year ago. How big is Loreto in population?

I assume that the Loreto flight would become part of a one-stop run to Cabo? Maybe they are reducing one of their non-stops to Cabo.........

[Edited on 5-28-2014 by Hook]


The Villa Group comes to mind. Fact is that Loreto is actually a boutique destination.

Don't get me wrong. I love Loreto. But, when it comes to filling seats in jets, there is really only the Villa property South of town that could fill seats at least twice a week.

Fonatur has been actively involved in Mexico for many years. There have been many upgrades made. But, after all is said and done, there is no property in Loreto proper that attracts a large amount of tourists.

That said, I have always wondered why the old, La Pinta/ Desert Inn property has not been considered for a major overhaul. They have a fantastic beach front. The current site is old and tired. I always wondered why Villa did not seek to go there.

Howard - 5-28-2014 at 05:15 PM

I was being selfish about another airline flying into LTO from the North. What we need is some competition to get the Alaska flights to be a little more reasonable.

Loretana - 5-28-2014 at 06:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Howard
I was being selfish about another airline flying into LTO from the North. What we need is some competition to get the Alaska flights to be a little more reasonable.


Howard, I feel your pain. My niece and her boyfriend just paid $756.00 apiece to fly from Vancouver to Loreto round trip in July to hang out and fish with me.

However.............

having made the drive from Portland to Loreto seven times in the past three years, I can assure you that Alaska Air's $650.00 round trip ticket from Oregon is well worth the money.....not only in time saved, but also the sheer lack of another white knuckle adrenaline two day exhausting drive down Mexico 1!!!

:saint: I love Alaska Airlines!


[Edited on 5-29-2014 by Loretana]

[Edited on 5-29-2014 by Loretana]

LaTijereta - 5-28-2014 at 07:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Howard
I was being selfish about another airline flying into LTO from the North. What we need is some competition to get the Alaska flights to be a little more reasonable.


Checkout Aero Calfia out of TJ... $130 each way.. Nice 50 passenger jet always on time... Use it to get back and forth to Oceanside..

http://aereocalafia.com.mx/en/

AguaDulce - 5-29-2014 at 08:11 AM

What is the availability for rental cars in LTO without reservations? I will be flying Alaska on June 7. When I have landed there in a private plane the terminal is empty and we head to town to get one.

gallesram - 5-29-2014 at 11:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by LaTijereta
Quote:
Originally posted by Howard
I was being selfish about another airline flying into LTO from the North. What we need is some competition to get the Alaska flights to be a little more reasonable.


Checkout Aero Calfia out of TJ... $130 each way.. Nice 50 passenger jet always on time... Use it to get back and forth to Oceanside..

http://aereocalafia.com.mx/en/


Ditto that; it's the only way I go down there now. I have flown them many times this year. Have never paid more than $275 R/T, even on a last-minute basis.

windgrrl - 5-29-2014 at 11:25 AM

WestJet departures will likely be out of Canadian airports. I don't know all the regulations, but one can't book a flight from Phoenix to SJD, but both are WestJet destinations. However, one can fly from SJD to Calgary, but not SJD to California WestJet destinations.

WestJet financials are available on their website. Many Canadian domestic carriers offer flight only bookings in the same flights as package vacations. Perhaps this is what makes operations feasible. http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/media-investors/financial-re...

Loretana - 5-29-2014 at 12:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by AguaDulce
What is the availability for rental cars in LTO without reservations? I will be flying Alaska on June 7. When I have landed there in a private plane the terminal is empty and we head to town to get one.


Try these folks.

<<http://www.foxrentacar.com/location/lto.aspx>>

Bajahowodd - 5-29-2014 at 04:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Howard
I was being selfish about another airline flying into LTO from the North. What we need is some competition to get the Alaska flights to be a little more reasonable.


These are not your mother and father's airlines. I recall flying from LAX to SJD for close to $200 on Aerocalifornia (RIP).

Similarly, should anyone wish to check airfares to Maui or Kauai, yo will find that it costs between $600 and $700 per person from LAX. We used to do it for around $300.

capt. mike - 5-30-2014 at 01:26 PM

go on line for LTO rentals. They will bring you a car to the terminus. You only have to be specific and I suggest calling them to confirm. Worst case is you have to ride the union controlled combi wagons to town at $20. Then get your car at the rental office in town - but DO have a reservation confirmed and with a int'l agency like Dollar, Hertz, Budget etc in case you have problems. At La Paz you can get a rental at the terminal - all the majors are there. Done it plenty of times.

chuckie - 5-30-2014 at 02:13 PM

Aerocalifornia was cool....I had a couple of drinks (2) and ordered another one, asking if it was allright, most airlines cut you off at two "Honey, on Aerocaliforna you can have all you want" Air Cortez was also a great lil airline. Ontario-Mulege 160 bucks RT...

redmesa - 5-30-2014 at 02:30 PM

Westjet flies to Cabo so LTO could be a stop along the way.