Canadian Airport Thread II

[thenoflyzone]

Originally Posted by VancityAvgeek33

I wonder if TK will reduce there toronto flights with TS adding YYZ so they could add a couple more flights to vancouver or montreal?

Highly unlikely.

TS/TK are only codesharing. It's not a JV. You aren't allowed to coordinate on schedule or pricing without a JV.

If you do, the CTA will start investigating. And considering TK is on record as wanting more access to Canada (and having been denied), it won't be hard to connect the dots.

[hollywoodcory]

WS has cancelled YWG-ATL for S26.

[YYCguys]

Originally Posted by hollywoodcory

WS has cancelled YWG-ATL for S26.

That was an odd city pair. I wouldn’t think there would be enough traffic between the two cities to be sustainable.

[thenoflyzone]

Originally Posted by hollywoodcory

WS has cancelled YWG-ATL for S26.

The route was year round, so I’m guessing it’s continuing as winter seasonal right?

Originally Posted by YYCguys

That was an odd city pair. I wouldn’t think there would be enough traffic between the two cities to be sustainable.

YWG-ATL was flown year round, so it looks like it’s a summer cut only. The route makes sense, as it taps into ATL’s vast DL network. Clearly the demand in summer drops off, hence the cut, but the route makes sense. Trump didn’t help matters either.

[hollywoodcory]

Originally Posted by thenoflyzone

The route was year round, so I’m guessing it’s continuing as winter seasonal right?

Possibly? They haven't loaded next winter's schedule.

I also see YYC-PUJ got removed from the summer schedule too, which I will say is kind of surprising. Perhaps it will be kept as a Sunwing blocked flight. It did better than VRA, which is still scheduled for S26.

[thenoflyzone]

Originally Posted by hollywoodcory

Possibly? They haven't loaded next winter's schedule.

I also see YYC-PUJ got removed from the summer schedule too, which I will say is kind of surprising. Perhaps it will be kept as a Sunwing blocked flight. It did better than VRA, which is still scheduled for S26.

It might have "done better than VRA" load wise, but YYC-PUJ is a significantly longer flight. ~640 nm longer. That eats into yields.

[Myst]

YWG-ATL was a good fit with some business links, and DL’s network. The issues as I see them:
- the current US administration has taken a lot of the discretionary traffic away
- WS did a poor job of scheduling
- WS did a poor job of coordinating with DL. Codeshare seats were often not available, and passenger experience as far as check-in and connections was not seamless
- WS did a poor job of marketing connections via ATL
- WS is really hamstrung with not having more fleet flexibility.
- WS is not positively viewed by DL customers

Summertime loads weren’t as good as the winter, but I think you can also look to the comment about marketing connections as the problem on that…

[hollywoodcory]

WS also cancelled YVR-TPA for S26 as well.

Originally Posted by thenoflyzone

It might have "done better than VRA" load wise, but YYC-PUJ is a significantly longer flight. ~640 nm longer. That eats into yields.

True, I mostly brought up VRA as WS has routinely suspended YYC-VRA a few times over the last few years, whereas PUJ has run year-round since November 2023.

[zahav]

That's too bad WS is dropping YWG-ATL, I assumed it was performing well since it's been kept in the schedule this long. Hopefully they gain something to make up for it.

Coincidentally, DL just announced this:

Saturday spontaneity: Delta adds new Saturday nonstop flights to top leisure destinations in 2026

Delta Air Lines is turning up the summer wanderlust in 2026 with the launch of new Saturday-only nonstop service to some favorite leisure destinations across North America and the Caribbean. Whether you're craving mountain air, coastal charm or a beachside breeze, Delta is making it easier than ever to get away without a layover.

More new Saturday routes across the network
Delta’s new leisure-focused service also includes:

Atlanta (ATL) → Grenada (GND)
Atlanta (ATL) → Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVD)
Atlanta (ATL) → Vancouver, BC (YVR)
Boston (BOS) → Aruba (AUA)
Boston (BOS) → Nassau (NAS)
Los Angeles (LAX) → Jackson Hole, WY (JAC), operated by SkyWest
Los Angeles (LAX) → Bozeman, MT (BZN), operated by SkyWest
Seattle (SEA) → Albuquerque (ABQ), operated by SkyWest
NYC LaGuardia (LGA) → Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida (VPS), operated by Republic
NYC LaGuardia (LGA) → Nassau (NAS)

For now at least, WS seems to be maintaining their YVR-ATL service as well, and even boosting it slightly. I have records of YVR-ATL being 7x per week in July 2024, 12x per week in July 2025, and 14x weekly Aug. 2025. Looks like starting April 26th, WS is at 2x daily all the way till end of September. The once a week DL metal is a nice little add, at least it's a 737-900 . I did have a laugh that Delta made a news release for a bunch of once a week destinations lol, a nice spin on some once a week flights

[MonctonRad]

An airport hotel may apparently be coming to the Greater Moncton International Airport (YQM)

From CCD Canada:

NB - MONCTON

GREATER MONCTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
NEW AIRPORT HOTEL & RESTAURANT
$18,880,000

[Dominion301]

Originally Posted by zahav

That's too bad WS is dropping YWG-ATL, I assumed it was performing well since it's been kept in the schedule this long. Hopefully they gain something to make up for it.

Coincidentally, DL just announced this:

Saturday spontaneity: Delta adds new Saturday nonstop flights to top leisure destinations in 2026

Delta Air Lines is turning up the summer wanderlust in 2026 with the launch of new Saturday-only nonstop service to some favorite leisure destinations across North America and the Caribbean. Whether you're craving mountain air, coastal charm or a beachside breeze, Delta is making it easier than ever to get away without a layover.

More new Saturday routes across the network
Delta’s new leisure-focused service also includes:

Atlanta (ATL) → Grenada (GND)
Atlanta (ATL) → Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVD)
Atlanta (ATL) → Vancouver, BC (YVR)
Boston (BOS) → Aruba (AUA)
Boston (BOS) → Nassau (NAS)
Los Angeles (LAX) → Jackson Hole, WY (JAC), operated by SkyWest
Los Angeles (LAX) → Bozeman, MT (BZN), operated by SkyWest
Seattle (SEA) → Albuquerque (ABQ), operated by SkyWest
NYC LaGuardia (LGA) → Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida (VPS), operated by Republic
NYC LaGuardia (LGA) → Nassau (NAS)

For now at least, WS seems to be maintaining their YVR-ATL service as well, and even boosting it slightly. I have records of YVR-ATL being 7x per week in July 2024, 12x per week in July 2025, and 14x weekly Aug. 2025. Looks like starting April 26th, WS is at 2x daily all the way till end of September. The once a week DL metal is a nice little add, at least it's a 737-900 . I did have a laugh that Delta made a news release for a bunch of once a week destinations lol, a nice spin on some once a week flights

I'm pretty sure DL has seasonally flown YVR-ATL in the past.

[casper]

Originally Posted by Dominion301

I'm pretty sure DL has seasonally flown YVR-ATL in the past.

Yes. It was a weird route. I have flow on it once. Would leave Vancouver very late at nighty (after US pre-clearance closed). So it was one of the few flights where you would clear US customs/immigration when arrived the following morning in Atlanta.

[Zmonkey]

Originally Posted by Myst

YWG-ATL was a good fit with some business links, and DL’s network. The issues as I see them:
- the current US administration has taken a lot of the discretionary traffic away
- WS did a poor job of scheduling
- WS did a poor job of coordinating with DL. Codeshare seats were often not available, and passenger experience as far as check-in and connections was not seamless
- WS did a poor job of marketing connections via ATL
- WS is really hamstrung with not having more fleet flexibility.
- WS is not positively viewed by DL customers

Summertime loads weren’t as good as the winter, but I think you can also look to the comment about marketing connections as the problem on that…

The reality is, the route is generally fine. But it was operating due to a subsidy from the province which is now gone. Add in lower US demand this year.

Calgary can have up to 3 flights a day to ATL, but its the network on both ends which make it work. YWG is too small, and no real feed into Winnipeg so the subsidy took it over the finish line to make work.

[casper]

So Montreal (YUL) finally has another lounge other than Air Canada Maple Leaf on the domestic side. Co-branded as American Express and Aspire. Half decent location (near gate 1/2), though small.

That is the good news. The bad news is they are experimenting with a new concept of "table service". Similar setup to the Elevate, you order off the mobile app using a QR code on the table. Portions are small, food quality so-so, your limited to only ordering one item at a time.

I was in there for breakfast, so can't speak to the drink options.

It was underwhelming.

However it fills a gap as being the only major airport in Canada without an independent lounge.

To my disappointment the Quebec City lounge was closed for renovations.

[jc_yyc_ca]

Originally Posted by Zmonkey

The reality is, the route is generally fine. But it was operating due to a subsidy from the province which is now gone. Add in lower US demand this year.

Calgary can have up to 3 flights a day to ATL, but its the network on both ends which make it work. YWG is too small, and no real feed into Winnipeg so the subsidy took it over the finish line to make work.

Okay that makes sense. I was wondering how YWG would have a direct flight to ATL, when YEG wouldn't have one. I know YEG is closer to YYC, but it has double the population, plus a lot more people within a relatively short drive.

[hollywoodcory]

Originally Posted by jc_yyc_ca

Okay that makes sense. I was wondering how YWG would have a direct flight to ATL, when YEG wouldn't have one. I know YEG is closer to YYC, but it has double the population, plus a lot more people within a relatively short drive.

YEG does have a direct link to ATL. It’s currently 4x weekly on WS.

[thenoflyzone]

Originally Posted by casper

So Montreal (YUL) finally has another lounge other than Air Canada Maple Leaf on the domestic side. Co-branded as American Express and Aspire. Half decent location (near gate 1/2), though small.

That is the good news. The bad news is they are experimenting with a new concept of "table service". Similar setup to the Elevate, you order off the mobile app using a QR code on the table. Portions are small, food quality so-so, your limited to only ordering one item at a time.

I was in there for breakfast, so can't speak to the drink options.

It was underwhelming.

However it fills a gap as being the only major airport in Canada without an independent lounge.

To my disappointment the Quebec City lounge was closed for renovations.

Thanks for the feedback. Read about the table service in the press release when it opened. Was wondering how it was. I don't fly domestic all that much, so I never have the chance to experience the lounges in the domestic jetty.

What I do know is that whole area (in front of gate 1 and the now decommissioned gate 3) is getting rebuilt. They are extending the whole area outward, and will add a second floor, and a new lounge is supposed to go in there as well. I spoke about this last year I believe. So gate 1 - like gate 3 - will disappear. It will be replaced by gates 45 and 46.

As far as new lounges go, I'm eager to try out the newly opened Desjardins Odyssey Plaza premium lounge in the transborder jetty. At least it has a mini-buffet. It looks underwhelming as well, but it's understandable as to why. YUL doesn't have room for all of these lounges. So they are building them in any hole they can find.

The construction in front of gate 1 and the new satellite building should help in this regard. These small - fast food resto size - lounges should eventually disappear.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by hollywoodcory

WS also cancelled YVR-TPA for S26 as well...

Hopefully more Canadians are boycotting travel to the USA and demand isn't there.

[casper]

Originally Posted by thenoflyzone

Thanks for the feedback. Read about the table service in the press release when it opened. Was wondering how it was. I don't fly domestic all that much, so I never have the chance to experience the lounges in the domestic jetty.

What I do know is that whole area (in front of gate 1 and the now decommissioned gate 3) is getting rebuilt. They are extending the whole area outward, and will add a second floor, and a new lounge is supposed to go in there as well. I spoke about this last year I believe. So gate 1 - like gate 3 - will disappear. It will be replaced by gates 45 and 46.

As far as new lounges go, I'm eager to try out the newly opened Desjardins Odyssey Plaza premium lounge in the transborder jetty. At least it has a mini-buffet. It looks underwhelming as well, but it's understandable as to why. YUL doesn't have room for all of these lounges. So they are building them in any hole they can find.

The construction in front of gate 1 and the new satellite building should help in this regard. These small - fast food resto size - lounges should eventually disappear.

When I say Gate 1/2 it is actually just behind the Starbucks. in a corner.

I was in the transborder lounge in YUL back in January. The retail unit they were using as a lounge was marginal. Good to see they are doing something better on the transborder side.

As far table service goes, WestJet does it well. The food offering is interesting and well done.

These guys are trying to do the same thing, but its just not there yet. For example, I had the fruit as one of the breakfast offerings and the texture is what I would have expected for something that was canned with a basil leaf on top. They did have a little enclave on the side for grab and go. I had seen that before. Not certain how well that would work out.

[Myst]

Originally Posted by Zmonkey

The reality is, the route is generally fine. But it was operating due to a subsidy from the province which is now gone. Add in lower US demand this year.

Calgary can have up to 3 flights a day to ATL, but its the network on both ends which make it work. YWG is too small, and no real feed into Winnipeg so the subsidy took it over the finish line to make work.

Scheduling was WS’s responsibility. Sask and Thunder Bay connections absolutely should have been part of their game.

The backstop wasn’t drawn on before Trump. What is possible now is a topic of debate. I hope to see it return, preferably done properly, at some point.