Continental and United Increase Their Joint U.S.-Mexico Network

United Continental Holdings, Inc.’s subsidiaries Continental Airlines and United Airlines are increasing their joint network between the U.S. and Mexico.

“The new flights complement our industry-leading service to Mexico,” says Jim Compton, executive vice president and chief revenue officer of United Continental Holdings, Inc. “With our expanded global network, we are focusing on linking together our key markets to improve travel options for our customers.”

Continental Airlines will launch daily nonstop service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Leon/Guanajuato’s Del Bajio International Airport (BJX), subject to Mexican government approval, beginning November 1. The airline will operate the daily service with Boeing 737-500s seating 114 passengers (eight in first class and 106 in economy).

In addition, Continental Airlines has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for authority to begin once-weekly nonstop service to Cancun, Mexico, from three new cities: Austin and San Antonio, Texas; and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. These Saturday services, which are subject to government approval, would begin on February 19, 2011. In addition, United Airlines has applied for authority to place its ‘UA’ flight code on Continental-operated flights between these cities.

This is how the United Airlines livery looks on a Boeing 737 of Continental Airlines. Eventually all of United's and Continental's aircraft are to bear these colors when the two airlines are fully merged

Continental plans to operate the three services with Boeing 737-700s seating 124 passengers (12 in first class and 112 in economy). Continental serves 30 destinations in Mexico, more than any other airline from the U.S. Continental currently serves Cancun 76 times weekly from its hubs in Houston, Newark and Cleveland. United currently serves Cancun 31 times weekly from Denver, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington-Dulles.

Additionally, United Airlines is boosting service into Mexico City from its hubs in Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. United will launch a second daily flight from Los Angeles to Mexico City on October 15, and a third daily flight beginning January 4, 2011. From Chicago, United’s current Saturday-only service to Mexico City will become twice-daily from November 4. From San Francisco, daily service to Mexico City becomes twice-daily on November 4.

From Denver, United will offer once-daily service to Mexico City between December 16 and January 3, 2011. All flights will be operated with Airbus A319 and Airbus A320 aircraft.

United also offers daily service to Mexico City from its hub at Washington Dulles International Airport.