(YEG) Edmonton International Airport Part 4 (October 2023)

[JakeLRS]

Originally Posted by LO 044

Flair has as many destinations out of YYC as YEG. They have more destinations out of YVR and YYZ than YEG or YYC. Now I don't know how that relates to total flights or seats available but it appears that this "Edmonton based" airline is based in Edmonton in name only.

Also in terms of raising their fares, I'm curious how their load factors will be affected this summer. No frills, no frequent flyer program, no entertainment on board, extras for almost everything probably equates to similar fares to WS or AC. A properly run airline is also an issue although most passengers may not know about Flair switching payment providers for example. Still I wouldn't chance it flying with them. I don't know where the upside is of booking with them besides cost and it looks like that difference is slowly going away.

Well comparing prices to other airlines, Flair still has the cheaper ticket. I'm assuming people who travel flair are only focused on the price. Not only that, but a family of 4 may not need 4 carryon's on a mainline carrier.

Examples of fares during peak summer travel (July/August)

YEG-YXX
WS Lowest Fare: $168 | Avg: $198
F8 Lowest Fare: $119 | Avg: $200

YEG-YVR
F8 Lowest Fare: $119 | Avg: $175
WS Lowest Fare: $216 | Avg: $248
AC Lowest Fare: $248 | Avg: $252

YEG-YYZ
F8 Lowest Fare: $295 | Avg: $315
WS Lowest Fare: $307 | Avg: $338
AC Lowest Fare: $307 | Avg: $338
PD Lowest Fare: $318 | Avg: $339

YEG-YKF
F8 Lowest Fare: $275 | Avg: $305

For the markets with direct competition with AC/WS, Flair is noticeably cheaper.
I think Flair was also able to increase prices because of the absence of both Swoop and Lynx, which were their primary competitors.
I remember YEG-YHM was going for as low as $99 when both swoop/flair were competing, but now I think Flair is realizing they don't need to offer as cheap as fares during peak travel season.

[hehehe]

Originally Posted by Altaflyer

If they can’t ramp things up for summer and have both passengers and higher yields then they are done after summer, if not before. Westjet has Swoopdified YEG-YYZ with some days all flights on Swoop planes, others 3/4 but charges mainline prices. Porter offers additional capacity and does serve to moderate fares but they are trending higher than last year for sure.

For the ex-Swoop planes, at least the economy seats are now the same as the mainline planes because they've added legroom to all the ex-swoop planes.

Great to see the WS expansion at YEG so far, it's looking quite promising and there'll be more to come.

[Altaflyer]

Are the ex-Swoop plane interiors still pink?

[YegFan]

CEO of WestJet will be delivering a speech in April - organized by the Chamber.

Hoping to see a new route being announced.

[JakeLRS]

Originally Posted by Altaflyer

Are the ex-Swoop plane interiors still pink?

Nope. The pink seat backs were replaced by blue ones.

[EdmTrekker]

Originally Posted by YegFan

CEO of WestJet will be delivering a speech in April - organized by the Chamber.

Hoping to see a new route being announced.

Just one? I am hoping for several ... and year round not seasonal to US business centres and maybe even LHR. WS now flying Dublin to Toronto on a 737-8 MAX an aircraft that has the range to fly Dublin to Edmonton.

[Rocket252]

^ Maybe some of the insiders on this thread can provide possible new route announcements.

[Altaflyer]

While I am no Westjet fan, I would fly a London route, even Gatwick if it was offered and I needed to fly to London. I am hoping AC will give us an option to Europe when they get the A321XLR

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Even though I'm an Aeroplan member, I would definitely fly WJ non-stop from YEG to LHR or LGW just to spite Mapleflot!

That said, I'm taking the WestJet CEO's speech in April with a grain of salt.

[JakeLRS]

You know what would be a nice?
A westjet elevation lounge.

That short-lived burger place that took up a ton of space has been shuttered for a while now. Plenty of space in there to create a WS exclusive lounge. I'm not really a fan of walking by a blank white wall and checkered flooring.

[LO 044]

I'm wondering if the speech will be more of a reminder of the routes already announced and a love fest of how deeply WestJet appreciates the traveler from the greater Edmonton area.

[s211]

Originally Posted by JakeLRS

You know what would be a nice?
A westjet elevation lounge.

Do westjet bus class travellers get access to the plaza premium lounge in lieu?

[Rocket252]

^ Yes to lounge acces for Westjet Bus/premium

[Rocket252]

Originally Posted by LO 044

I'm wondering if the speech will be more of a reminder of the routes already announced and a love fest of how deeply WestJet appreciates the traveler from the greater Edmonton area.

Probably talk about the Atlanta flight and how it will help businesses.

[s211]

Originally Posted by Rocket252

^ Yes to lounge acces for Westjet Bus/premium

Thanks.

[EdmTrekker]

Originally Posted by LO 044

I'm wondering if the speech will be more of a reminder of the routes already announced and a love fest of how deeply WestJet appreciates the traveler from the greater Edmonton area.

He might as well not come if that is all he has to say. That was stated when the Atlanta route was announced and telling people in the Metro Edmonton business community what they already know is a time waster for these executives.

[hehehe]

This is pure speculation on my end, but with WS not being able to expand more out of YYC (and even if they ordered more 787s that would take time), I could see YEG-KEF launched in the near future.

[Rocket252]

United mainline starting from Denver today.

Baby steps.

[EdmTrekker]

Originally Posted by Rocket252

United mainline starting from Denver today.

Baby steps.

A320 x2 daily which is great.

[YegFan]

I noticed while booking a flight that the WS flight to SEA is now mainline 737 (at least in August/Sept)