{
  "response": {
    "Key": "MDE-CTG",
    "orig": {
      "code": "MDE",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Medellín",
      "fullCity": "Medellín, Colombia",
      "airport": "Medellin Jose Maria Cordova"
    },
    "dest": {
      "code": "CTG",
      "type": "airport",
      "city": "Cartagena",
      "fullCity": "Cartagena, Colombia",
      "airport": "Rafael Nuñez Intl Airport"
    },
    "faq": {
      "q0": {
        "question": "What is the typical flight duration from Medellín to Cartagena?",
        "answer": "A direct flight from Medellín (MDE) to Cartagena (CTG) typically takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Flights with a layover, most commonly in Bogotá, usually take 3 to 5 hours total. Return flights from Cartagena to Medellín are similar in duration, around 1 hour and 10 minutes direct. Airlines like Avianca, LATAM, and Viva Air operate this route with comparable flight times."
      },
      "q1": {
        "question": "Are there any direct flights from Medellín to Cartagena?",
        "answer": "Yes, there are direct non‑stop flights from Medellín (MDE) to Cartagena (CTG). Avianca (AV) and JetSMART Colombia (JA) both operate daily with very high frequency — Avianca runs about 120 flights per week and JetSMART about 96 — while Wingo (P5) also flies daily with around 18 weekly flights, and Arajet (TS) offers a few weekly departures on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q3": {
        "question": "What are the ground transportation options in Cartagena?",
        "answer": "Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) is close to Cartagena’s historic center and Bocagrande, making ground transportation straightforward. Taxis are the most common and convenient option; you can buy a prepaid taxi voucher at the airport booth for a fixed price to avoid haggling, and the ride takes about fifteen to twenty minutes. Ride-share services like Uber are available but operate in a legal gray area and may be less reliable for airport pickups. There is no direct mass transit from the airport, though local buses run on nearby main roads, but they are impractical with luggage and not recommended for visitors. Car rentals are available at the airport, but driving in Cartagena’s narrow streets and heavy traffic can be challenging, and parking is scarce. Most travelers use taxis for their simplicity and fixed rates."
      },
      "q6": {
        "question": "Are overnight (red‑eye) flights available from Medellín to Cartagena?",
        "answer": "Yes, overnight red-eye flights are available nonstop from Medellín (MDE) to Cartagena (CTG). Avianca operates daily red-eyes on this route, typically departing around 9:40 PM or 10:00 PM and arriving the next morning.",
        "methodology": "Red-eye flights are identified from scheduled local departure and arrival times in our flight-schedule database — built from published airline timetables and official schedule data, including U.S. Department of Transportation records for domestic routes — flagging services that depart late at night and arrive the following morning; for connecting itineraries the red-eye is based on the timing of the overnight long-haul leg.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "redeye_flights"
        ]
      },
      "q7": {
        "question": "Which airlines usually operate this route from Medellín to Cartagena?",
        "answer": "Non‑stop flights from Medellín (MDE) to Cartagena (CTG) are operated by Avianca (AV), JetSMART (JA), Wingo (P5), and Arajet (TS), with Avianca offering the most frequent service at about 120 weekly flights. JetSMART is the low‑fare leader with a median fare around $269, while Avianca, Wingo, and Arajet do not show median fare data in the available schedule. All carriers operate daily except Arajet, which flies on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports. Where a median fare is shown for a carrier, it reflects the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours.",
        "relevant": true,
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q9": {
        "question": "How reliable are on‑time departures on this route from Medellín to Cartagena?",
        "answer": "On-time reliability is generally good, but afternoon thunderstorms in both cities can cause delays. Early morning flights with Avianca or LATAM tend to have the best punctuality."
      },
      "q10": {
        "question": "Which months have the best weather for traveling to Cartagena?",
        "answer": "December to March offers sunny, dry weather and lower humidity, but it is peak tourist season. For fewer crowds and still pleasant conditions, consider late November or April."
      },
      "q11": {
        "question": "What documents should I bring with me to the airport when flying from Medellín to Cartagena?",
        "answer": "For domestic flights within Colombia, bring your cédula de ciudadanía or passport, a payment method for baggage, and any required health documents such as a vaccination certificate if applicable."
      },
      "q12": {
        "question": "Which airport should I use in Cartagena?",
        "answer": "Cartagena has one commercial airport, Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG), located about 5 km from the historic centre and popular attractions. It serves all domestic and international flights with airlines like Avianca, LATAM, and low‑cost carriers such as Viva Air and Wingo. There is no alternative airport to consider."
      },
      "q13": {
        "question": "How do I get to Medellin Jose Maria Cordova from the city center?",
        "answer": "From central Medellín, the cheapest way to reach José María Córdova Airport is the Combuses white bus from San Diego Mall, taking about 45–60 minutes. Taxis and rideshares are faster at around 35–45 minutes but cost significantly more. Shuttle services offer a middle ground. Driving and parking are possible but less common for visitors."
      },
      "q14": {
        "question": "Are there hotels or sleeping facilities at Cartagena airport?",
        "answer": "No on-site hotels or sleeping pods exist at Cartagena Rafael Núñez Airport. Nearby options like the Hotel Las Américas and Holiday Inn Express are a short drive away, with some offering shuttle service upon request."
      },
      "q16": {
        "question": "Are there accessible services or children's facilities at the Medellín and Cartagena airports?",
        "answer": "At Medellín José María Córdova Airport, wheelchair assistance and accessible restrooms are available; request through your airline at least 48 hours before travel. There is no dedicated children’s play area. At Cartagena Rafael Núñez Airport, mobility assistance is provided on request via your airline, but children’s play facilities are not available."
      },
      "q17": {
        "question": "What aircraft are typically used on flights from Medellín to Cartagena?",
        "answer": "Nonstop flights from Medellín to Cartagena typically use the Airbus A320-100 (operated by JetSMART and Avianca) or the Airbus A319 Ceo (operated by Avianca), with the A320-100 being the most common. One-stop connections via Bogotá or Cali also rely heavily on the A320 family, including the A320-200 Neo, and the exact aircraft can vary by day and airline.",
        "methodology": "Aircraft types are taken from the equipment each operating carrier schedules on this route, drawn from published airline timetables and airline equipment schedules in our flight-schedule database. They describe typical scheduled aircraft and can vary with seasonal or day-of-week assignments and last-minute equipment swaps.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_aircraft"
        ]
      },
      "q18": {
        "question": "Which airline alliances serve flights from Medellín to Cartagena?",
        "answer": "Among the carriers shown in the schedule data for nonstop MDE–CTG flights, only Avianca belongs to a major alliance — it is a Star Alliance member. The other three airlines operating the route nonstop (JetSMART, Wingo, and Air Transat) are all independent carriers with no alliance affiliation, so no SkyTeam or oneworld carrier appears in the nonstop schedule; other alliances may serve the route via connections.",
        "methodology": "Airlines and weekly frequencies are compiled from our flight-schedule database, which combines published airline timetables, U.S. government schedule data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and observed flight operations from the EUROCONTROL/OpenSky Open Performance Data Initiative (OPDI). We count each operating carrier's scheduled weekly departures and the days it flies; where there is no nonstop service, connecting carriers are identified by linking scheduled nonstop segments through common hub airports.",
        "toolsUsed": [
          "route_airlines"
        ]
      },
      "q20": {
        "question": "What are the best airport lounge options when departing from Medellín?",
        "answer": "At Medellín José María Córdova International Airport, the Avianca Sala VIP is the main airline‑branded lounge in the domestic terminal. It admits Avianca business‑class passengers, LifeMiles elite members and Priority Pass cardholders, and sells day passes. The lounge offers buffet snacks, a full bar, Wi‑Fi and runway views."
      },
      "q21": {
        "question": "What is the baggage allowance on this route from Medellín to Cartagena?",
        "answer": "For domestic flights within Colombia like Medellín to Cartagena, baggage allowances depend on the airline and fare type. Basic economy fares are often restrictive and may not include a checked bag. Standard economy typically includes a carry‑on, but checked baggage may incur a fee unless included in the fare. Always verify with the specific airline."
      },
      "q22": {
        "question": "What cabin and seat options are typical from Medellín to Cartagena?",
        "answer": "Flights from Medellín to Cartagena typically offer only Economy class with standard seats; Premium Economy and flat-bed Business are not common on this short domestic route."
      },
      "q23": {
        "question": "Are same‑day changes or standby possible on this route?",
        "answer": "Policies differ by airline and fare; flexible and higher-cabin tickets typically allow same-day changes or standby, while basic economy usually does not."
      },
      "q24": {
        "question": "What are the cheapest days and times to fly from Medellín to Cartagena?",
        "answer": "Based on fare data, the cheapest day to fly from Medellín to Cartagena is Friday (average $254, min $225), while Thursday is the most expensive (average $260, min $177). The cheapest time to depart is in the evening (min $177), and the most expensive is early morning (min $280).",
        "methodology": "The cheapest day of the week and time of day to depart are drawn from the same large sample of real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours, grouped by the day of the week and by the time-of-day window of the outbound departure, with the lowest and average price reported for each.",
        "relevant": true,
        "toolsUsed": [
          "departure_timing"
        ]
      },
      "q25": {
        "question": "What is a good price for a flight from Medellín to Cartagena?",
        "answer": "A good price for a flight from Medellín to Cartagena is anything under $211, with typical fares around $258 based on recent data. The lowest recorded fare was $177, so aiming below $211 is a solid deal on this route.",
        "methodology": "The typical price, the lowest fare, a 'great deal' threshold, and how fares are spread across price bands are summarized from a large sample of the real fares Priceline users found on this route in the last 72 hours, with a small fraction of extreme outlier fares excluded from the range.",
        "relevant": true,
        "toolsUsed": [
          "price_context"
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}