Next stop for Tulsa travelers: Cleveland

Sept. 17, 2007

TULSA - Tulsa International Airport secured it 22nd nonstop destination Friday when Continental Airlines announced service to Cleveland next spring.

The service, which will start with a $198 round-trip introductory fare, begins April 6 with two daily flights.

Although Cleveland does not top Tulsa travelers' most requested list, airport spokeswoman Alexis Higgins said the addition will benefit many travelers.

"It's going to give us a lot of connection opportunities," Higgins said.

She said Cleveland's easy access to the Midwest, Northeast, as well as Canada and Europe, is what will make Tulsa travelers fill the seats.

"I think they will see (the Cleveland service) as a connection rather than a destination," Higgins said.

Connecting travelers to various destinations is one of the main purposes of the new service, Continental officials said.

"By introducing service to Cleveland, we give our local customers more options for traveling to the destinations they want to reach around the world," said Greg Hart, Continental's staff vice president of scheduling.

Oklahoma City's a model Friday's announcement was the second time in less than nine weeks Continental has revealed plans for additional service in Oklahoma.

The airline announced July 24 its plans to provide nonstop service from Oklahoma City to Cleveland. That service begins Sept. 30.

Higgins said she is not surprised Continental decided to include Tulsa in its service expansion plans.

"I know the airlines look at Oklahoma City and Tulsa and consider our (demographics) to be pretty similar," she said. "If (a service) does well in Oklahoma City, we pretty much follow suit."

AT A GLANCE

Tulsa to Cleveland Flights start April 6.

Flights depart Tulsa at 7 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. daily.

Flights depart Cleveland at 9 a.m. and 8:45 p.m. daily.

The duration of the flight is about two hours and 28 minutes.

Tickets To take advantage of the introductory fee, tickets must be purchased by Sept. 28.

A three-night or Friday night stay is also required.

The tickets can be used from the day the service starts until Aug. 28, 2008.

Source: Continental Airlines