Calgary International Airport II

[Zmonkey]

Originally Posted by hollywoodcory

This was asked at a recent town hall, and they basically said they weren't sure how much of this demand is simply pent up post-pandemic demand or if it will remain like this for the foreseeable future. Sounds like they're going to see how S24 goes before making a decision on acquiring more frames.

They also mentioned its one thing to make money during peak summer on the 787s, but you have to find use of them the rest of the year. It was mentioned they were looking at increasing services (not sure how though - they don't have enough aircraft to add in anything else, unless they just mean extending the seasons on the routes).

Everyone was conservatives post pandemic so its understandable. There plan is to significantly grow Calgary, but without the 787's I really don't get how many more connections they can pull either unless they make things like Detroit, Boston, Quebec city, Portland year round.

There are 2 787's built for WestJet semi rotting away, they need some work but WestJet could likely get a good deal on them. Tokyo could go year round if they really wanted it, there are connections on both ends with the current slot.

[hehehe]

Looks like WS extended the CDG 4th weekly flight into most of February and March. I'm assuming winter plan is to eventually have daily LHR/CDG and 3x weekly NRT? Sorta like AC on LHR/FRA/NRT pre covid.

[hollywoodcory]

Originally Posted by hehehe

Looks like WS extended the CDG 4th weekly flight into most of February and March. I'm assuming winter plan is to eventually have daily LHR/CDG and 3x weekly NRT? Sorta like AC on LHR/FRA/NRT pre covid.

Seems like they're replacing 787 capacity initially planned to OGG with more CDG / FCO. Be interesting to see if maybe BCN gets extended into April as well.

It almost looks like HNL will have more capacity than OGG this winter.

[hehehe]

Originally Posted by hollywoodcory

Seems like they're replacing 787 capacity initially planned to OGG with more CDG / FCO. Be interesting to see if maybe BCN gets extended into April as well.

It almost looks like HNL will have more capacity than OGG this winter.

Yeah they cut OGG quite a bit, seems a bit odd to me though. I think BCN, LGW and maybe DUB will eventually get extended into April and maybe even into November and March too. I mean besides extending the seasons it's not like WS can do anything else lol.

[People_talking]

deleted.

[hollywoodcory]

Winter is coming.

MZT, HUX, LIR, MBJ, ZIH, ZLO, HNL, FLL all resume this month, well DTW, AUS, BCN, EDI, LGW, NRT, BOS, WS DEN/ORD, PDX all end for the season.

Flair also starts non-domestic flying to LAS, PHX and PVR later this month.

FCO & BNA spill over into November, with both resuming in mid-March.

[People_talking]

When does WS announce their S24 schedule?

[hollywoodcory]

Originally Posted by People_talking

When does WS announce their S24 schedule?

Likely in early 2024. The last 2 years it came out in March.

The 787 schedule usually gets announced in October-December, but there isn't any room to grow aside from seasonal extensions.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by ace.yyc

by what metric

OTP no, cabins no, regional jets no, general competence no, lounges no, FF absolutely no, alliance no, connectivity no

Okee dokee. So your hate on for WestJet has nothing to do with the fact that you work for AC and WS has been running them out if town?

[peytol]

Originally Posted by SteveP

Okee dokee. So your hate on for WestJet has nothing to do with the fact that you work for AC and WS has been running them out if town?

Based on his constant complaints about westjet cabins, I dont think he has flown on many other airlines. An old WJ 700 cabin is no worse than an old AC 320 or an old united 737... Big shocker, airline cabins take a beating and show their age.

As far as OTP and "general competence" unfortunately there is no airline with that in Canada currently. I do think WJ made a big error by not bringing TAC back after kicking ATS out, as long as ONEX owns WJ it seems all decisions are solely based on keeping costs low now and not looking long term, might be telling about how much longer they will be owners.

[YYCFlier]

Originally Posted by SteveP

Okee dokee. So your hate on for WestJet has nothing to do with the fact that you work for AC and WS has been running them out if town?

No, it's more because WestJet is a terrible airline when it comes to ground handling at YYC and understanding a premium business product, including frequent flier programs. Acey's criticism is justified. Yes, YYC is a fortress hub for WestJet now, but due to ULCCs, yields are pretty bad right now in general, and the AC revenue management saw that.

If you fly in the back most of the time and call premium "first class" (which by the way, doesn't exist in Canada for domestic or trans-border flights), you wouldn't notice because hey, it's just like Lynx or Flair. But business travelers notice.

[YYCFlier]

Originally Posted by peytol

Based on his constant complaints about westjet cabins, I dont think he has flown on many other airlines. An old WJ 700 cabin is no worse than an old AC 320 or an old united 737... Big shocker, airline cabins take a beating and show their age.

The difference here being AC has a few old Airbus 320s in their fleet, whereas the old 737-700 and 737-800 are the backbone of the WestJet fleet. So, yeah, you're right, except if you fly AC you're way more likely to be on a 787 MAX 8 or Airbus 220-300, both of which have brand new cabins.

[peytol]

Originally Posted by YYCFlier

The difference here being AC has a few old Airbus 320s in their fleet, whereas the old 737-700 and 737-800 are the backbone of the WestJet fleet. So, yeah, you're right, except if you fly AC you're way more likely to be on a 787 MAX 8 or Airbus 220-300, both of which have brand new cabins.

Very true, WJ's new max's seat does seem like an improvement, but they seem to be getting new planes at a snails pace. Now with Swoop and sunwing their cabins will be even more all over the place.

Id take issue with the on board menu on WJ vs the cabin. Get some fresh items back.

[hollywoodcory]

YYC August 2023 Stats:

Domestic: 1,379,238 +13.9% (YTD: 8,522,850 +25.47%) [2019: 1,301,354]
Transborder: 373,680 +50.4% (YTD: 2,364,717 +53.62%) [2019: 325,135]
International: 196,972 +55.0% (YTD: 1,487,667 +72.90%) [2019: 168,986]

August 2023 Total: 1,949,890 +22.9% [2019: 1,795,475]
2023 YTD: 12,375,324 +34.60%

Could be wrong, but I believe this is YYC's busiest month in history? Just below 2 million for both July/August. Well on track to hit 18 million this year.

Non-US international is still seeing the largest increase compared to 2019.

[casper]

Originally Posted by ace.yyc

I don't work for AC, but way to completely ignore the actual post you're quoting.

The ill-advised comparison he made was between WS vs legacy US carriers.

- OTP no: objectively true in every facet of on-time performance in any published source
- cabins no: objectively true in terms of IFE in the new product, or as a percentage or porportion of resources put toward cabin refreshes
- regional jets no: they allow a robust short to medium range network, WS has zero
- general competence no: one could classify performance metrics other than OTP into this category, and there's not going to be a lot that WS wins
- lounges no: WestJet operates only one actual WestJet lounge
- FF absolutely no: WestJet's FF program is effectively nil
- alliance no: WestJet is not a member of an alliance
- connectivity no: the US legacy carriers all operate massive and robust hubs from coast to coast

Where did I lie? If not flying WestJet because they're a bad airline means I work for Air Canada, then sign me up.







I don't disagree.

I use to regularly be 35K for 15 years in Aeroplan. Shifted to WestJet a few years back when AC became less friendly and after COVID shifted back to mostly flying Air Canada. Based in YYJ (and before that YXE), scheduled was always difficult so would end up on the other guys fairly frequently as well.

WestJet use to have friendly staff that were competent. Now try dealing with IROP conditions at a gate with either WestJet of Air Canada. Both airlines staff struggle with the basics of rebooking. Air Canada does a lot better than WestJet in that regard.

As an example, I recently did a connection on WS, in YWG. Getting off the aircraft received a text message from WS saying my connection was delayed and I would miss the third flight after that one. So I asked the agent meeting the flight. Without looking it up in the computer he said everything was on-time. I said "I just got a text from WestJet saying differently". Then he said he could not help me and just go the other gate, it was to complicated and someone else might be able to to help me. His job was simply to meet the flight, not to handle passenger connection issues.

I like the Plaza Premium lounges. If they are WS branded or not, I am ok with that.

WestJet has never called their front cabin on the 737 First. They always call it premium. So I guess that is what it is.

I recently started crediting all my WestJet flying to the Delta program. I do like Delta. From YXE, WestJet is the regional to make onward connections onto Delta. That usually works. Good to see WestJet expanding on that front. Delta is a sold airline and if WestJet handles their Canadian flying so be it.

[FormerWingTipper]

ATS lost the WestJet ramp contract at YYC.

https://unifiservice.com/unifi-aviation-...t-with-westjet-ground-handling-contract/

Unifi will be taking over November 7.

[YYCguys]

Originally Posted by FormerWingTipper

ATS lost the WestJet ramp contract at YYC.

https://unifiservice.com/unifi-aviation-...t-with-westjet-ground-handling-contract/

Unifi will be taking over November 7.

Sounds like a lot of the same staff just transferred over, but I hope there will be improved and motivated leadership to dive right in and find out what’s working and what’s not working and make swift and meaningful improvements to ground services!

[LO 044]

I think this is the key phrase in the linked announcement "Nearly 200 new employees were hired, while over 75% of incumbent staff joined the Unifi family." Was it the workers at ATS that were the problem or ATS itself. I have no idea what ATS's performance is at other Canadian airports. Still, based on some of the comments on here, you hope WestJet will see some kind of improvement.

[FormerWingTipper]

Originally Posted by LO 044

I think this is the key phrase in the linked announcement "Nearly 200 new employees were hired, while over 75% of incumbent staff joined the Unifi family." Was it the workers at ATS that were the problem or ATS itself. I have no idea what ATS's performance is at other Canadian airports. Still, based on some of the comments on here, you hope WestJet will see some kind of improvement.

ATS doesn't have the strongest track record. Will see if Unifi works well or can change behaviour to do so.

[hollywoodcory]

Originally Posted by ace.yyc

AA has brought their ground handling back in-house this week, which makes little sense for a 2x daily flight operation over the winter...

I heard AA was bringing both its above / below back in house. Additionally, AC is taking over 4Y's contract at the end of the month too I think.

There's also growing optimism that Unifi will work out much better than ATS for WS, but I guess we'll have to see how it plays out.