Atlantic Canada airport thread

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Seems pretty ridiculous if they don’t have any flights out of Moncton… like wtf lol

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Some pretty bargain basement prices here... I wonder why.

Still, it would be nice if airline pricing made sense. Just a few days ago, the Orlando>Saint John flight was $26.

Even before all this madness with Trump's tariffs and the trade war, I've seen the flight to Orlando as low as like $80 and like $60 coming back to Saint John.

The Flair route between Saint John and Toronto is a pretty good deal if you can pack light, but we desperately need a budget flight between Saint John and Montreal... Air Canada's prices on that route are ridiculous, and it's half the distance between Toronto and Saint John.

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Some pretty bargain basement prices here... I wonder why.

Still, it would be nice if airline pricing made sense. Just a few days ago, the Orlando>Saint John flight was $26.

Even before all this madness with Trump's tariffs and the trade war, I've seen the flight to Orlando as low as like $80 and like $60 coming back to Saint John.

The Flair route between Saint John and Toronto is a pretty good deal if you can pack light, but we desperately need a budget flight between Saint John and Montreal... Air Canada's prices on that route are ridiculous, and it's half the distance between Toronto and Saint John.

I would love if they could match the Vancouver flight times a little more. So if the Vancouver flight lands in Toronto at 6am the SJ flight leaves at 10am instead of 8pm.

[lirette]

I don't want to drag the political conversation over here too much, but I also feel it fits in here and wonder what everyone else thinks. How long until we see US pre-clearance gone in Canada?

I think within the next year it will be gone. For a variety of reasons I just don't see it being tenable having US agents operating on Canadian soil anymore. Even taking out the political element the demand drop alone may be enough to remove it.

In the next 5-10 years I expect its going to be much easier to fly to our allies in France and Britain then to fly into the US.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

I would love if they could match the Vancouver flight times a little more. So if the Vancouver flight lands in Toronto at 6am the SJ flight leaves at 10am instead of 8pm.

Absolutely. I was looking to go to Vancouver for the first time in ages in April, and Flair would be considerably cheaper than Air Canada if only they had a connection in Toronto.



The Air Canada prices are pretty decent for when I was looking to go. These flights are all on April 29th.

$294 Saint John -> Vancouver (via Montreal)
$221 Saint John -> Montreal (or $427 if you want to take the earlier flight)
$219 Montreal -> Vancouver

It's unbelievable that Air Canada can get away selling tickets for the early morning Saint John to Montreal flight for $427 dollars, while charging $294 for an itinerary Saint John to Vancouver via that very same 5:20am flight to Montreal.

I guess carbon emissions and fuel costs are meaningless when it comes to airline pricing.

We really need better regulations of airlines in this country... and subsidies for better flight options servicing the many smaller cities across the country.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by lirette

I don't want to drag the political conversation over here too much, but I also feel it fits in here and wonder what everyone else thinks. How long until we see US pre-clearance gone in Canada?

I think within the next year it will be gone. For a variety of reasons I just don't see it being tenable having US agents operating on Canadian soil anymore. Even taking out the political element the demand drop alone may be enough to remove it.

In the next 5-10 years I expect its going to be much easier to fly to our allies in France and Britain then to fly into the US.

There will still be a lot of business travellers no matter what... and people with family on both sides of the border. I think you're right that it will be gone from a lot of smaller airports within the next year, though.

It would be quite awesome if we saw some long haul flights over the pond between New Brunswick and Europe. I think there's a market there for flights to France, the UK, Ireland, and maybe even Portugal, Morocco, and the Canaries. Atlantic Canada's geographic location could be a comparative advantage for transatlantic flights, as it's closer to Europe than the rest of Canada. I wouldn't hold my breath for Air Canada to lead the charge.

I think it will take political action... through better regulation and subsidization to make any sort of transatlantic routes possible for New Brunswick. Moncton to Paris seems like a no brainer, considering Francophone immigration and foreign students studying at U de M, and Paris obviously being very well connected with "Françafrique" countries.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by lirette

I don't want to drag the political conversation over here too much, but I also feel it fits in here and wonder what everyone else thinks. How long until we see US pre-clearance gone in Canada?

I think within the next year it will be gone. For a variety of reasons I just don't see it being tenable having US agents operating on Canadian soil anymore. Even taking out the political element the demand drop alone may be enough to remove it.

In the next 5-10 years I expect its going to be much easier to fly to our allies in France and Britain then to fly into the US.

I'd have to say I think it is unlikely. If anything, as the Americans move to further control entry into their country, I think they will become less and less welcoming to flights that don't have pre clearance. maybe increasing the number of countries that require visas?

[MonctonRad]

This was just posted in the Canada section airport thread:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Gotta love airfare in Canada. Booking a flight to Kelowna from YEG this week.

Direct flight all in is $1625.28.

Flight is 1hr 20mins.

It isn't just YSJ (or NB airports in general) getting picked on.

The pricing of (Air Canada in particular) tickets seems completely arbitrary. Unless you are booking through one of the top 6-8 airports in the country, going to another of the top 6-8 airports in the country, on a routing with abundant completion, you will get hosed on the air fare.

It's just ridiculous.........

[MonctonRad]

Remember a page or so back we were all speculating on the possibility of WestJet opening up new routes from YHZ to the Iberian Peninsula?

https://westjet.mediaroom.com/2025-03-24...al-non-stop-service-starting-summer-2025

HALIFAX, NS, March 24, 2025 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced new service between Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) beginning June 27. The seasonal route will operate four times per week as part of WestJet's summer 2025 schedule, offering Atlantic Canadians a direct connection to one of the airline's most sought-after European destinations.

Are we good or what???

[bridgeoftea]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Remember a page or so back we were all speculating on the possibility of WestJet opening up new routes from YHZ to the Iberian Peninsula?

https://westjet.mediaroom.com/2025-03-24...al-non-stop-service-starting-summer-2025



Are we good or what???

Heck Yeah!

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by bridgeoftea

Heck Yeah!

Given the potential of the Iberian Peninsula as an alternate sun destination to Florida and the Caribbean, this should really be a year round route.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Remember a page or so back we were all speculating on the possibility of WestJet opening up new routes from YHZ to the Iberian Peninsula?

https://westjet.mediaroom.com/2025-03-24...al-non-stop-service-starting-summer-2025



Are we good or what???

Meanwhile, locals there are holding mass protests against being overrun by tourists. Even going so far as soaking them with squirt guns as they sit at sidewalk cafes.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/barcelona-reckons-with-overtourism-summer-2025/index.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...urist-protesters-vow-Ibiza-hotspots.html

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

This was just posted in the Canada section airport thread:



It isn't just YSJ (or NB airports in general) getting picked on.

The pricing of (Air Canada in particular) tickets seems completely arbitrary. Unless you are booking through one of the top 6-8 airports in the country, going to another of the top 6-8 airports in the country, on a routing with abundant completion, you will get hosed on the air fare.

It's just ridiculous.........

Sadly, we all have stories like that.

Mine is how I saved slightly over 10K in total on 3 return business class tickets to the US west coast by driving to Portland, Maine and flying Delta. I've been dining out on that one for years. When I tell the story and ask people to guess how much I saved no one has ever come close.

I like to think of it as paying myself $1,000/hour to listen to music and drive a car.

[lirette]

Originally Posted by sailor734

Meanwhile, locals there are holding mass protests against being overrun by tourists. Even going so far as soaking them with squirt guns as they sit at sidewalk cafes.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/barcelona-reckons-with-overtourism-summer-2025/index.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...urist-protesters-vow-Ibiza-hotspots.html

Overtourism is definitely a problem, I fully support airbnb being banned in these places and tourist taxes being implemented to help support infastructure.

When I travel I do my best now to book hotels or legimate b&bs, and focusing my dining on more "local" restaurants than the tourist trap type places. I respect local cuisine and tip well. I try to do things on my trip that are less touristy like going to a sporting event.

I try everything I can not to be an annoying tourist basically. Unfortunately most of these places are heavily outnumbered with the annoying types.

[sailor734]

I think one of the big issues in Barcelona is the cruise ship industry dumping tens of thousands of tourists into the city at a time.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by sailor734

I think one of the big issues in Barcelona is the cruise ship industry dumping tens of thousands of tourists into the city at a time.

If you're worried about hostile locals in Barcelona, they do have HSR to Madrid, and, you could carry on to the Costa del Sol by train too. Problem solved!

[lirette]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

If you're worried about hostile locals in Barcelona, they do have HSR to Madrid, and, you could carry on to the Costa del Sol by train too. Problem solved!

Indeed, once you embrace the greatness of HSR in other countries, the airport you land at doesn't need be your destination.

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

Timely... I read an article earlier this afternoon regarding the airport here in Lisbon and how it has 20 plus airlines from around the world looking for access. This city has been years in debate on where to locate a new airport due to the existing airport being too small and outdated. Our current route is through Heathrow and on to Halifax. Looks like this route is as good as it gets... for now.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

If you're worried about hostile locals in Barcelona, they do have HSR to Madrid, and, you could carry on to the Costa del Sol by train too. Problem solved!

Barcelona's bigger problem is that it has been overrun with tourists and has become very commercialized. Sadly, the downfall of many great tourist destinations is ......... tourists.

[DyAm00394]

Porter Airlines and Pascan Aviation Forge New Interline Partnership

https://aviationsourcenews.com/porter-airlines-and-pascan-aviation-forge-new-interline-partnership/

“A newly forged partnership between Porter Airlines and Pascan Aviation promises improved regional air travel in Eastern Canada.

This strategic alliance promises to dramatically enhance connectivity. Leveraging Porter’s expanding North American network, this will complement Pascan’s well-established regional routes within Québec and the Maritimes.

This collaboration aims to create seamless travel experiences, opening up a plethora of new opportunities for passengers across the continent.

Connections Through Halifax and Quebec City

Currently, travellers can capitalize on this partnership through convenient connections in Halifax and Québec City.

Over 90 connecting routes are now available, effectively bridging eight key Pascan destinations across Eastern Canada with Porter’s extensive network spanning North America. This expanded reach translates to more accessible travel options for both regional and long-distance journeys.

Imagine the possibilities: year-round connections on cross-continental routes like Vancouver to Sydney, Nova Scotia, or Orlando, Florida, to Saint John, New Brunswick.

Furthermore, enhanced connectivity within Eastern Canada is realized through routes such as Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, to Bonaventure, Québec, and Gaspé, Québec, to Timmins, Ontario. These routes, facilitated by primary connecting airports in Halifax and Québec City, with other hubs serving as secondary options, are set to redefine regional travel.

New Montreal Metropolitan Terminal

This interline partnership opens a future of even greater travel convenience. The highly anticipated opening of the new terminal at Montréal Metropolitan Airport is poised to further solidify this partnership.

Porter and Pascan will both operate substantial schedules from this strategically located airport on Montréal’s South Shore, promising smoother connections for travellers.

Edmond Eldebs, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Porter Airlines, highlights the benefits of this alliance. “Porter’s new partnership with Pascan means improved service and more choices for passengers across North America who travel through regional Eastern Canada.”

He further emphasizes the transformative potential of the new Montréal Metropolitan Airport terminal. Eldebs anticipates it will “further grow this partnership and provide opportunities for travellers to connect seamlessly across the continent.”

Yani Gagnon, co-owner at Pascan Aviation, gives further supporting comment. “This partnership along with the opening of the new terminal is truly amazing. We have been waiting for this kind of project here at the Montréal Metropolitan Airport since 2004.”

Gagnon underscores the profound impact this development will have, stating, “This will open up a whole new range of opportunities that will greatly benefit our mutual clientele.”