"If the market responds, as we hope and believe it will, there are a multitude of potential nonstop

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Radio Heartland alaska cruise holland america Local Current Wonderground Radio Choral Classical Minnesota Public Radio About MPR Contact info Stations Careers Staff directory Company information alaska cruise holland america Press room Members Events Shop Give Now Search MPR Southwest announces $69 fare to Chicago Business Martin alaska cruise holland america Moylan
Southwest's fares are much lower than what Northwest, American and United airlines alaska cruise holland america have been charging for flights between the Twin Cities and Chicago. Generally, their cheapest round-trip fares have been about $380 according to FareCompare.com. Fares soared after AirTran Airways pulled off the route earlier this year.
"If the market responds, as we hope and believe it will, there are a multitude alaska cruise holland america of potential nonstop destinations from Minneapols-St. Paul," he said. "But again it really does depend on the customer response."
In Chicago, Southwest will provide connections alaska cruise holland america to more than 30 destinations, including Las Vegas, Denver, Los Angeles, Houston, Providence and Baltimore/Washington. In many cases, travelers will wait no more than an hour or two to connect with other flights.
Minneapolis-based travel expert Terry Trippler expects Southwest could win a five to ten percent share of local air travelers. That'd take a few years and require additional flights. But Trippler said that seems to be in the cards.
For bargain-hunting air travelers, Southwest's arrival is indeed great news. But Northwest Airlines has a long track record of dispatching low-fare airlines that slash fares in Northwest's Twin Cities hub. Northwest has sent many of them packing over the years. That same tenacity may still be there as Northwest is merged into Delta Air Lines.
But no other low-fare carrier has the size, resources or staying power Southwest does. Southwest is the nation's alaska cruise holland america biggest domestic airline. Yet Northwest is now part of Delta Air Lines, which is the world's biggest international airline.
When these two giants collide, it could make for an interesting alaska cruise holland america fight. One that will likely benefit travelers for as long as it lasts. Gallery At press conference, Southwest Airlines revealed a new $69 round-trip fare from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Chicago's Midway airport. MPR Photo/Martin Moylan View full gallery alaska cruise holland america Southwest alaska cruise holland america Airlines has announced it will begin service to the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport in March 2009. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images alaska cruise holland america Previous
Related Links Southwest Airlines Related stories Southwest Airlines coming to Twin Cities airport in '09 Oct 1, 2008 Northwest, Delta begin integration Oct 30, 2008 Justice Department approves Northwest-Delta merger Oct 29, 2008 Delta Air Lines adding first bag fee Nov 5, 2008 Broadcast alaska cruise holland america dates All Things Considered 5:20 PM Nov 6, 2008 About the author Martin Moylan
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