YEG - Edmonton Int Airport - Page 34

#**661** Posted **Aug 26, 2007, 4:37 PM**

However West Jet is running out of options within Canada. And if they are going to add to there US business traveller options IAH from YEG would be one of the first I would assume.

Sometimes I wish I could just ask the questions to the head guy.

tuffyy · #**662** Posted **Aug 26, 2007, 5:14 PM**

To put things into perspective,EAA approached AC shortly after CO bailed on the YEG-IAH flights.Traffic records were presented to AC showing the loads and cargo for the sole flight.It was shown that AC could easily fill 1 1/2 CRJ-705 aircraft for the flight(s).The only problem that AC presented was that it could threaten loads on the YYC-IAH flights (also flown by CRJ-705's).AC does have competition from YYC to IAH by none other than CO (with 737's).Taking away the YEG connections to YYC for the flight would lower loads and potentially AC frequencies to IAH from YYC.CO operations in YYC also see a high number of YEG connector's.What it comes down to is AC doesnt want to loosen things too much for the YYC ''hub''.The traffic is here in YEG but AC either need's to loosen up a little or CO need's to return.CO still is rumored to be the one who will re-start the route once aircraft allocation permits it.

Jasper and one o nin · #**663** Posted **Aug 26, 2007, 5:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edmonchuck

...because, like CO, WestJet thinks they can use the plane on more "profitable" routes. Add the reality that they will do a Calgary run first...

More profitable because they can charge more/mile on another route?
Westjet YYC-IAH would compete with AC's route. At least with YEG there would be no competition. Maybe YEG-YYC-IAH (I remember going to IAH on AA and I would go (same plane) YEG-YYC-DFW-IAH)

#**664** Posted **Aug 26, 2007, 8:54 PM**

Yep per mile, or more roi to there hub at IAH.

If we wait for CO I would say it will be 2009 before we see IAH. Isn't that when they start getting their new 737's?

#**665** Posted **Aug 27, 2007, 10:37 PM**

AGH!! Just booked a flight to ORD in two weeks. Had to go via SLC (paid 1500) COME ON!!!!

Why is it that YYC has 5 flights a day to SFO when we have 1. STUPID. YES I AM PISSED. While I like having the option of flying to 10+ cities in the US, I never get on the direct flights when I want them.

Coldrsx · #**666** Posted **Aug 27, 2007, 10:44 PM**

5 versus 1.......ridiculous

Rocket252 · #**667** Posted **Aug 28, 2007, 1:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by brento79

AGH!! Just booked a flight to ORD in two weeks. Had to go via SLC (paid 1500) COME ON!!!!

Why is it that YYC has 5 flights a day to SFO when we have 1. STUPID. YES I AM PISSED. While I like having the option of flying to 10+ cities in the US, I never get on the direct flights when I want them.

So people are forced to go through YYC or YVR and then the airlines pull the routes because of lack of business.

Nice job Air Canada

Edmonchuck · #**668** Posted **Aug 28, 2007, 1:28 AM**

...but unfortunately with the star alliance - a reality.

#**669** Posted **Aug 28, 2007, 2:52 AM**

Well I am still in shock. I can't believe how poor the service is to the US from Edmonton considering the growth up here. People can't even fly Edmonton first because all the connection flights are booked except via yyc.

Until we see cabotage, westjet start business flights verses holiday travel things aren't going to change.

The ERAA hands are tied as well.

Edmonchuck · #**670** Posted **Aug 28, 2007, 5:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by brento79

Until we see cabotage, westjet start business flights verses holiday travel things aren't going to change.

yup

#**671** Posted **Aug 28, 2007, 3:13 PM**

So to be proactive with my frustration. I wrote WestJet a letter requesting them to enter the YEG-IAH market. I said it would be one of there first successful business markets since YEG is so Pro westjet to begin with.

Never hurts.

tuffyy · #**672** Posted **Aug 28, 2007, 8:04 PM**

^That is a great idea Brent,YEG-IAH does have alot of traffic both pax and cargo.I dont see them flying YYC-IAH if they do add IAH as they would have to deal with alot of competition by AC 3 times daily,and CO twice daily.With the current market YEG-IAH just makes sense.

#**673** Posted **Aug 28, 2007, 9:12 PM**

Out of all WestJet's potential routes for business travellers what is better than YEG-IAH? I just can't see anything! Hopefully they think the same.

LO 044 · #**674** Posted **Aug 29, 2007, 7:06 PM**

Just got back from a lengthy vacation from Europe using Air Canada. I thought i'd post some comments. My route was the following:
AC 1156 to YYZ on an A320
AC 872 to FRA on a 773
AC 877 to YYZ on an A330
AC 135 to YEG on an E190

The Airbus 320 was refurbished with the seatback TV screens. This was the first time i was on an AC refurbished plane and i was very impressed. Loads of channels whether it be TV, movies, or music. A much better selection than on WestJet. If/when AC completes these upgrades on most/all of their aircraft, they will have pretty good standards in competeing with international carriers and locally WestJet. Of course, i don't find WJ leather seats that comfortable so i have no problem in AC not changing their seats to leather.

The Boeing 777 was a nice plane. It of course had all the bells and whistles ie. seatback TV's, that special lighting that changes from pink to blue to whatever to help you get in the mood of sleep. But besides that it was OK. I've had the same if not more comfortable rides on a 767 or A330 and as i later found out, i preffered the A330 over the 777.

The A330 had no seatback TV's but it had a 2-4-2 seat configuration so having a window seat meant you only had to climb over 1 person to get to the bathroom. One major thing i noticed was that a window seat on the A330 has a lot of legroom between the seat and the window wall/side of the aircraft. In the 777 my legs were cramped sitting in the window seat and the 777's 3-3-3 seat configuration of course meant that i had to climb over 2 bodies to get anywhere. Perhaps these are just my preferences but again i would choose an A330 over a 777.

The E190 is the best of both worlds. Seatback TV's and a 2-2 seat configuration. This plane is very comfortable and the ride was smooth in general.

The last flight on the E190 was delayed by about 20 minutes but other than that AC was on time.

It took me less time to pick up my bags in Frankfurt than it did when returning home and picking them up in Edmonton. The only other flight arriving at YEG at that time was an AC flight from YVR. I have heard others complain about this issue at YEG regarding late baggage pickup and i must agree.

I also tried to get on earlier flight from YYZ to YEG but it was overbooked by 15 people. Go figure. I'm curious how many people get funneled via YYZ. My choice to fly via YYZ was simply to fly on the 777 and E190 and the price i paid for my trip to Europe in the middle of summer was ridiculuosly cheap and i could not get the same price or schedule to Frankfurt via LHR.

I look forward to any comments or questions.

EdmTrekker · #**675** Posted **Aug 29, 2007, 10:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LO 044

Just got back from a lengthy vacation from Europe using Air Canada. I thought i'd post some comments. My route was the following:
AC 1156 to YYZ on an A320
AC 872 to FRA on a 773
AC 877 to YYZ on an A330
AC 135 to YEG on an E190

The Airbus 320 was refurbished with the seatback TV screens. This was the first time i was on an AC refurbished plane and i was very impressed. Loads of channels whether it be TV, movies, or music. A much better selection than on WestJet. If/when AC completes these upgrades on most/all of their aircraft, they will have pretty good standards in competeing with international carriers and locally WestJet. Of course, i don't find WJ leather seats that comfortable so i have no problem in AC not changing their seats to leather.

The Boeing 777 was a nice plane. It of course had all the bells and whistles ie. seatback TV's, that special lighting that changes from pink to blue to whatever to help you get in the mood of sleep. But besides that it was OK. I've had the same if not more comfortable rides on a 767 or A330 and as i later found out, i preffered the A330 over the 777.

The A330 had no seatback TV's but it had a 2-4-2 seat configuration so having a window seat meant you only had to climb over 1 person to get to the bathroom. One major thing i noticed was that a window seat on the A330 has a lot of legroom between the seat and the window wall/side of the aircraft. In the 777 my legs were cramped sitting in the window seat and the 777's 3-3-3 seat configuration of course meant that i had to climb over 2 bodies to get anywhere. Perhaps these are just my preferences but again i would choose an A330 over a 777.

The E190 is the best of both worlds. Seatback TV's and a 2-2 seat configuration. This plane is very comfortable and the ride was smooth in general.

The last flight on the E190 was delayed by about 20 minutes but other than that AC was on time.

It took me less time to pick up my bags in Frankfurt than it did when returning home and picking them up in Edmonton. The only other flight arriving at YEG at that time was an AC flight from YVR. I have heard others complain about this issue at YEG regarding late baggage pickup and i must agree.

I also tried to get on earlier flight from YYZ to YEG but it was overbooked by 15 people. Go figure. I'm curious how many people get funneled via YYZ. My choice to fly via YYZ was simply to fly on the 777 and E190 and the price i paid for my trip to Europe in the middle of summer was ridiculuosly cheap and i could not get the same price or schedule to Frankfurt via LHR.

I look forward to any comments or questions.

Whats to say - other than I fly Non-Stop from YEG - as in Fly Edmonton First.

ibz · #**676** Posted **Aug 29, 2007, 10:50 PM**

When AC gets their new planes and finishes the upgrades on the other, they will have the best fleet in North America anyways.

Coldrsx · #**677** Posted **Aug 29, 2007, 11:20 PM**

when AC gets their 777 and 787, YEG will see FRA on a 767

EdmTrekker · #**678** Posted **Aug 30, 2007, 1:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

when AC gets their 777 and 787, YEG will see FRA on a 767

Please let it be announced soon - as I am booking for next year already and I would rather not have to fly AC into LHR, as I need to be on the continent. I have flown on Martinair many times as it is Non-Stop - but as it is a charter airline the dates rarely work so I must make compromises. Same with charters into FRA. We need daily Non-Stop into AMS and FRA (and Berlin better than FRA - which with consolidation of the three Berlin airports will replace FRA, as the German HUB within 5 years and it would be great to secure gate space and build a route now).

Interesting that the Air France/KLM GROUP are "integrated" on many flights to North America. This is more than Code Share - it is total financial integration.

(http://www.airfranceklm-finance.com/flash/EN/Carte/Carte.htm)

Air France/KLM GROUP is now (apparently) the largest passenger "airline" in the World. Some are saying that it may be KLM or the Air France/KLM GROUP (SkyTeam) that are the rumoured new route for AMS-YEG-YYC and YYC-YEG-AMS (or a derivation thereof). That or AC will finally cough up YEG to FRA.

LO 044 · #**679** Posted **Aug 30, 2007, 1:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdmTrekker

Please let it be announced soon - as I am booking for next year already and I would rather not have to fly AC into LHR, as I need to be on the continent. I have flown on Martinair many times as it is Non-Stop - but as it is a charter airline the dates rarely work so I must make compromises. Same with charters into FRA. We need daily Non-Stop into AMS and FRA (and Berlin better than FRA - which with consolidation of the three Berlin airports will replace FRA, as the German HUB within 5 years and it would be great to secure gate space and build a route now).

This is exactly why i couldn't fly non-stop to Europe. I couldn't make the dates or arrival/departure times work with Martinair and Air Transat's schedules. I too was looking for a YEG-FRA non-stop flight this year but sadly i will have to wait til my next trip.

LO 044 · #**680** Posted **Aug 30, 2007, 2:28 AM**

Forgot to mention one important thing about my recent YEG-YYZ-FRA-YYZ-YEG trip. On 3 of 4 flights the aircraft had seatback TV's. One of the many available channels had promo videos. One video was about Thailand if i remember correctly and the other? Yes, Edmonton. Not a bad little video and every little bit of advertising helps.

There was also a one page color advertisement in Air Canada's enRoute magazine. At the bottom of the advertisement, the sponsors included Edmonton Tourism, the Destination Marketing Hotels of Edmonton and Travel Alberta. There were 2 draws advertised for packages to Edmonton estimated at $2000 and $10000. Hats off to the people trying to raise Edmonton's place as a tourist destination. I was pleasently surprised at both advertisements,