ExpressJet began its self-branded nonstop
service to small and midsize communities in the West, Southeast and
Midwest on April 2, and unveiled the details of its frequent-flyer
program.
ExpressJet still
flies primarily for Continental as Continental Express. But after
Continental returned 69 ExpressJet aircraft last year, ExpressJet
decided it would use more than 40 of its 50-seat Embraer 145
regional jets to provide service under its own name in cities where
travelers usually are forced to connect through large hubs to get
where they want to go. By summer, ExpressJet will be serving 24
cities with service it is promoting as competitively priced and
more convenient than existing options.
Service started
April 2 from Ontario, Calif.; Austin and San Antonio, Texas; Boise,
Idaho; Kansas City, Mo.; Omaha, Neb.; Spokane, Wash.; and Tucson,
Ariz. Service starts from Sacramento, Calif., on April 9, and from
Albuquerque, N.M., and Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla., on April
16.
From April 30 to
May 14 ExpressJet also will add service from Bakersfield, Fresno,
Monterey and San Diego, Calif.; Birmingham, Ala.; Colorado Springs;
Corpus Christi and El Paso, Texas; Jacksonville, Fla.; Louisville,
Ky.; New Orleans; and Raleigh/Durham, N.C.
The airline's
service includes memory foam leather seats, a configuration without
middle seats, free XM satellite radio, complimentary snacks and a
full meal option on longer flights.
The
frequent-flyer program, JetSet, lets customers earn one free
roundtrip ticket for every eight roundtrips or 16 one-way tickets
used within a 24-month period. A promotion offers a free roundtrip
ticket if customers buy four roundtrip or eight-one way tickets
between now and Sept. 30.
To contact reporter Andrew Compart, send e-mail to [email protected].