Here's the formal press release regarding the new routes that have been discussed in the most recent posts, it was never actually posted:
Air Canada Rolls Out Comprehensive Transborder Schedule from YVR for Summer 2025
-New services between YVR and Tampa, Raleigh and Nashville
-More capacity between YVR and Austin, Denver, Miami
-Air Canada and partner United Airlines will offer up to 58 daily non-stop flights to 21 US destinations next summer
MONTREAL, Dec. 2, 2024 /CNW/ - Air Canada announced today its most comprehensive transborder schedule from its Vancouver (YVR) hub. Three new transborder routes to Tampa, Raleigh and Nashville, plus more capacity to Austin, Denver and Miami have been added, offering even more exciting options for travellers on both sides of the border. Together with its partner United Airlines, Air Canada will offer up to 7,700 seats on 58 daily non-stop flights to 21 US destinations next summer, representing an 11% increase in seat capacity from summer 2024. All flights are now available for sale at aircanada.com, through Air Canada Contact Centres and via travel agents.
"We are pleased to further expand our YVR hub with new year-round flights to Tampa, seasonal services to Raleigh and Nashville, and more capacity to Austin, Denver and Miami. Air Canada continues to reinforce its position as the leading carrier between Canada and the US with new flights to fast-growing metropolitan areas and sought out destinations. Our robust network means customers in Western Canada have more options to explore all that the US has to offer, and for our American customers to explore beautiful British Columbia. At Air Canada's Pacific gateway, our newest services further bolsters our sixth-freedom strategy by efficiently bridging North America and growing international destinations across the Asia-Pacific region," said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President, Revenue and Network Planning, and President, Cargo at Air Canada.
"More network news will be coming soon," stated Mr. Galardo.
These rival announcements between WS and AC make me suspicious there are moles at both airlines sharing info, I can't believe they only make these decisions with a week or less of another airline doing it, you'd hope they'd have more planning in advance than a knee jerk add? It does seem like WS and AC/UA are just making counter-adds in retaliation, although I really hope not, the benefits from these dog fights don't last long and can be worse after it's done. I hope there is substance and longevity in these adds, and not just a junk load of seats added to see who blinks and then they both leave... I think there is strength there for long term, just the timing of AC/UA especially seems like firing back (adding TPA, BNA, and adding more to AUS all seemed retaliatory, meaning I don't know if we would have seen them without WS announcing them first...). The only real destination I think where AC has bullied WS completely out is YVR-SNA, a WS staple for yeaaaaaars without any competition. I was surprised to see it actually, my money was on WS keeping it, AC must have really tied in their AC Vacations/hotel partners/Disney for the route, because that vacay package is critical to this destination, way more than LAX obv. I thought WS had an edge on AC for such a market, hence why they had daily frequency unrivalled. Although AC has converted OGG to seasonal, I don't count that in the "WS Wins" category, there are other factors affecting OGG, and the fact AC is still daily in winter still means it hasn't been pushed out. WS's 5x weekly YVR-OGG is hardly a pillar of strength to block AC out lol, I'm happy they are even that high in summer. Ditto with PSP, AC is all-in during winter, I don't think they ever did summer, but could be wrong... Otherwise, AC and WS are still competing on many routes, seemingly in that equilibrium that I loved so much that fostered two big carriers, I hope WS holds its own and doesn't let AC take over totally, the way AC did at YYC.
Interesting AC went after TPA and yet never did ORL. Or did it? I can't remember if AC or Rouge did YVR-ORL, or was it just WS with their 1x or 2x weeklies? ORL is undoubtedly a bigger draw, wonder why the TPA onslaught haha, it's a fun add, but I'd rather substance over time than a tactical add that isn't going to last. WS launched the route Jan. 1, 2016 and was the first ever non-stop service according to the YVR presser oat the time (
WestJet Connects Vancouver to Orlando for the First Time). Although it never really grew, at least WS kept it after all this time. I believe they only made it year-round in the last few years, but might be wrong. This year 2x weekly in summer. And then TPA will be 3x this summer despite never been flown before lol, seems odd.
I think MIA is now in long-term territory though, thankfully! Not only did winter get boosted (did it already get mentioned that YVR-MIA is daily in February?! And then 6x weekly the rest of the winter, which did get posted already). And now this small summer small boost to 4x weekly, I am much more comfortable with it. We didn't have any Florida service for soooo long, now we have ORL, MIA, FLL, and TPA split between two airlines. But TPA and FLL are very flimsy to me, hopefully one or both airlines will hold on, but may be victim to their 🞵🞵🞵 for tat...
It seems Southern/Southeastern US is all the rage these days lol, they are definitely being described as booming in the press, especially compared to the "hellscape" of California (cities losing scores of people to other states, falling into decline (SF) etc... Everything I've seen in the last couple years has painted the South and SE as being home to fast growing metros like Dallas, Houston, Research Triangle, Nashville, and Florida has been more prominent than ever in the last few years, outpacing California hugely. And FL already overtook NY as 3rd biggest state, both behind TX (I have to keep reminding myself that NY is 4th now, it was 2nd biggest state for my entire life basically, and now in a clear 4th and gap widening). So they are growing populations, younger (maybe not FL lol, but the others) and have strong economies. And YVR does benefit from the cruise traffic, which has always included many Southerners who connect to get here. And then outbound, these destinations were not talked about much on the West Coast, it was all Cali , Vegas, Hawaii, but more and more want to go to these areas that were lesser known before. So maybe these extra flights will be absorbed and just reflect more demand, but I think it has a lot of WS/*A at play
PS glad to hear YVR-YHZ on AC isn't a reduction, I thought it was 2x daily all summer season last year, so my mistake. I am glad I got it wrong, love this route!
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