Airlines to Coz - good, bad, and pitiful!

[scububa]

Just returned from 6-days in COZ with my family. We went with a group from the marina with dive with...flew the 2x1's to Houston then 737 connecting (almost) to Coz. I don't like little planes either, but the ERJ was fine and we had some bumpy weather...seemed no worse than the big boys.

The only problem we had was 55-minute connection times both ways. Getting rerouted due to weather into Houston caused us to miss our connection by 7-minutes. Only cost us 2-hrs and about 24 of us folks got on the the next flight. Coming back with customs and all, it was an all out sprint with the first guy managing to get them to reopen the door up and allow us all to make it. Never again will I let anyone set me up for less than 90-minutes, especially coming back through customs.

Baggage made it all the way both ways with us. However, I found it astonishing how many different reading you can get on the weight limits. (I read the previous reply links on the baggage.) On line, you get the 70-lb per item for check on. Our travel agent faxed us a recent update that stated 60-lb. We get to the airport and there is a sign that said 50-lbs. Our bags were around 40-lbs so not a problem, but jeezzz, is it really a state secret that it can't be published correctly? No one in the group got over charges, but it seems needlessly conflicting (and this is for just a single airline).

On a side note, I think I did hear an annoucement (while sprinting thru Houston's domestic terminal, so it could have been distorted by the pounding in my ears) asking for volunteers to step off a flight for $300 voucher and gauranteed next flight seats due to a "weights and balance" issue they were having.

(and we had a GREAT time and would jump thru the same hoops again if it was the only way

Jim

 

[ScubaLad]

For my money I think the hot ticket to Cozumel is Funjet from Dallas, TX. Since you live if Oklahoma City you could get up really early, or drive down the night before. The flight to Cozumel leaves at 8:00AM and arrives about 10:30AM so you can easily get in some afternoon dives since most of the afternoon dive boats leave the dock around 1:00PM.

Here's a link: http://www.atusa.com/

You can go to the website and plan your whole trip. Pick the hotel you want and it gives you the price. Your travel agent will give you the same price when you book.

Some folks don't like charter flights, but I've always had fairly modern and well maintained equipment on my flights and I pay attention since I'm in the business.

Good luck

 

[ggunn]

I agree that Funjet is the best bang for your buck if you are anywhere near DFW, especially if you can stay flexible and book late; their last minute specials are sometimes ridiculously cheap. One caveat, though: they only fly twice a week, so you have your choice between 3 ,4, or 7 day trips and only on certain days. If you want to stay longer than a week then you have to book your flights on another carrier.

 

[Kat]

I don't get why in Chicago you can book with Funjet for as long as 14 days & in Houston there is a 7 day limit.
It is nice that you can do your own seat requests, by e-mail, w/ Funjet too. Then you don't have to be there super early for the 1st come - 1st served seating.
I have flown the ATA flight to Coz many times from Chicago-Midway. It is a shared flight w/ Funjet. Direct is the only way to go. If I can't do direct, the ferry would be my next choice. I would never, ever book a connecting flight from CUN to CZM.

 

[ggunn]

I don't get why in Chicago you can book with Funjet for as long as 14 days & in Houston there is a 7 day limit.

It may have something to do with the fact that from Houston and Dallas, Funjet charters the plane, but from other points of origin they buy seats on a commercial airline.

 

[Trisha]

Great responses, guys! Thanks!
Dallas is just a hop down I-35, we usually go there six or more times a year just for the computer sales at Ross and Routh and the books at Half Price and 75% Off. It's one of my favorite cities (as long as we miss the rush hour traffic.)
http://www.firstsaturday.com/
http://www.halfpricebooks.com/about_us.html
http://www.75offbookstores.com/

So we will definitely be saving a buck or two with a road trip to DAL or DFW. I have read the posts on going through Cancun and just taking the Riviera bus/ferry route, but with two kids and gear for four that's a bit much. Richard has been checking what the local dive clubs and stores are doing -- one of these days...!

 

[Kat]

It may have something to do with the fact that from Houston and Dallas, Funjet charters the plane, but from other points of origin they buy seats on a commercial airline.

They do both in Chicago. Some flights are a straight charter and others are a block of seats.