Boston - Baltimore: Low Cost Carrier Battle Royale!

The Boston to Baltimore air market is starting to look like the Boston to New York bus market with fares almost at the same level of the Fung Wah bus! Of particular interest, BOS-BWI is one of the few markets where all three of the nation's largest low-cost carriers compete head to head - and that will make it fun to watch.

Just last week, Southwest announced an increase in flights (to 7) in the Boston-BWI market starting in March. As you may recall, Southwest recently entered the Boston-proper market with 5 daily flights to BWI as well as several other cities.

Fellow low-cost carrier AirTran has served the Boston-BWI market for some time and now operates, count 'em, nine daily flights in the market.

Not to be out done, JetBlue also began operating four daily flights in September on the same route. And today, JetBlue announced a further increase in service next year by adding an additional round trip for a total of five daily flights. JetBlue's press release takes a funny swipe at Southwest: "Customers in Baltimore have discovered what those in Boston have known for years: JetBlue offers more than just an unassigned seat and a handful of peanuts to their destination"

This makes a somewhat incredible 21 daily flights in the Boston-BWI market. Unreal.

And these are not rinky-dink regional jets. Those have already been driven from the market with the exit of Delta and American over the last few years as AirTran in particular has ramped up service.

Translation of all this: get ready for a blood-bath. Fares, even without a sale, are often $39. We've seen them as low as $29 or even $19 during a sale. And JetBlue has offered a one-day sale with fares starting at $9 one way. AirTran is offering free wi-fi on all flights in the market. And Southwest is offering all the peanuts you can eat....

Southwest announces Boston schedule

Today, Southwest announced destinations and schedules their new Boston flights set to begin in Mid-August. Not surprisingly, they announced service to Chicago Midway (MDW) and Baltimore (BWI) with five flights to each destination. Both MDW and BWI are Southwest powerhouse cities with plenty of onward connecting flights as well as a loyal Southwest base.

And Boston has a loyal base of Southwest travelers as well - they have just been forced to drive to Providence (PVD) or Manchester (MHT) for Southwest's low fares and service. Many have speculated that Southwest might pull down service in these two cities now that they will operate service directly into Beantown's main airport. Fear not PVD and MHT fans. Southwest mentions more than once that the new Logan service is part of Southwest's "expanded New England service." So, at least for now, it appears Southwest will be growing in New England overall.

On a sidenote, we applaud any company (travel industry or not) that can actually use "wicked awesome" in a press release!

Sir Richard responds to Alaska Air's claims of "un-Americanism" and kicks off VX's new Boston Service

Wow, thanks to the gang over at Crunch Gear for this great video and photos of the highlights of Virgin's inaugural flight from Boston. Yes, Sir Richard is in drag. Yes, there are cheer-leaders. Yes, there are wicked awesome accents. Probably not any Dunkin Donuts because JetBlue has that angle.

But watch the video past the semi-humorous comments from the Massport boss and Dave Cush - the real show (of course) starts when Branson arrives on the scene. And he has a clear message for Alaska Air that is (as those of us from Boston grew up saying) wicked pissa'

JetBlue coming to LAX - lookout Virgin America

JetBlue has just launched the latest salvo in the trans-con wars. Following on the heels of Virgin America's announcement of two daily Boston-LAX nonstops set to begin in February, JetBlue just announced similar service launching on June 17th.

Not to be outdone, American Airlines has also announced an additional Boston-LAX flight to the the three they already operate.

Suddenly, Boston will go from 5 daily nonstops to LA (two on United and 3 on American) to 10 - a near doubling of capacity will create a capacity bloodbath - get ready for great deals Bostonians and Angelenos....... and to Virgin America, good luck.