YVR Airport & Sea Island Developments Discussion

[Johnny Aussie]

Did anyone else notice, next summer Air China is boosting the YVR-PEK route to 12 weekly (the 0300 departure is increasing to 5 weekly).

Also, Air Canada is upgrading the daily AC29 YVR-PEK to a 77W for the summer 2011 scheds.

This is a massive increase in capacity to China.

Add to that the new daily AC Haneda flight, the new 4 weekly charters to Japan....

Looks like the growth to Asia Pacific is going to continue quite strongly.

[giallo]

I'm curious if there will be a pick up in flights to and from Taiwan now that the Taiwanese no long need a visa to visit Canada.

[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Well, the banking system was invented by the Romans

So, it's a big banking battle brawl between the Greeks and the Romans K vs. M. And apparently the Greeks aren't too good at counting costs *cough* Athens *cough*.

I'd love to see a scheduled airline to Spain. Trof, I don't think people don't CARE about Europe so much as they feel that there is a much bigger chance of being a major Asian gateway.

As for me, I've got connections on both sides of the ponds, I'd love to have direct non-charter flights to Glasgow, Rome, Paris and either Madrid or Barcelona.

However, until we see a larger roll-out of planes like the 787, I just don't think the airlines want to fly to a 2nd tier city like Vancouver.

Even then, we're more likely to see connections to 2nd-tier Asian cities first. Remember, airlines are trying to build loyalty and get a foothold in the fast-growing Asian economy. It's no surprise that the launch customer for the 787 is ANA.

I agree that it's sad that Vancouver doesn't have a direct scheduled flight to Paris, the world's most visited city... but I try to focus my energy on what is actually happening.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by twoNeurons

I'd love to see a scheduled airline to Spain. Trof, I don't think people don't CARE about Europe so much as they feel that there is a much bigger chance of being a major Asian gateway.

As for me, I've got connections on both sides of the ponds, I'd love to have direct non-charter flights to Glasgow, Rome, Paris and either Madrid or Barcelona.

However, until we see a larger roll-out of planes like the 787, I just don't think the airlines want to fly to a 2nd tier city like Vancouver.

Even then, we're more likely to see connections to 2nd-tier Asian cities first. Remember, airlines are trying to build loyalty and get a foothold in the fast-growing Asian economy. It's no surprise that the launch customer for the 787 is ANA.

I agree that it's sad that Vancouver doesn't have a direct scheduled flight to Paris, the world's most visited city... but I try to focus my energy on what is actually happening.

A good point, well-made. And I think you're right that we grab as big a slice of the Asian aviation action while the opportunity is there.
The European destinations will come along, not as many, and later on, but they'll come, I'm sure.

[Johnny Aussie]

Confirmed that the 4 weekly flights will be 3 to Osaka and 1 to Nagoya (not Nagano as the National Post reported - they must have had Olympics on their mind!)... now who is going to operate these flights?

[SpongeG]

maybe skymark will get some

[teriyaki]

Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie

Confirmed that the 4 weekly flights will be 3 to Osaka and 1 to Nagoya (not Nagano as the National Post reported - they must have had Olympics on their mind!)... now who is going to operate these flights?

Can't imagine JAL taking these up with their recent massive reduction in routes, so its probably Air Canada. Skymark would be a real surprise

[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by teriyaki

Can't imagine JAL taking these up with their recent massive reduction in routes, so its probably Air Canada. Skymark would be a real surprise

These are charters, though. Charters don't run half-empty planes. The Airline would sell all the seats at a discount to the charter and it's the charter's job to fill them.

Looks like they're taking advantage of Air Canada dropping the Osaka route.

[deasine]

A few names have been thrown in the mix. Air Transat is one of them, plus, they've been wanting to enter Asia for the longest time.

[Yume-sama]

What about the WestJet charters we've been hearing about? Didn't we have an article about those people saying they want to fly to Japan?

WestJet has already rented some FinnAir 767's (which are completely unrelated).

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

What about the WestJet charters we've been hearing about? Didn't we have an article about those people saying they want to fly to Japan?

WestJet has already rented some FinnAir 767's (which are completely unrelated).

Actually the a/c leased by Westjet are Air Finland 757s. Those are only being leased for about 2 1/2 months to operate Westjet's Alberta-Hawaii flights next Feb - Apr.

I would put my money on Air Transat!

[big T]

Yeah, I would guess Transat too. I know someone who's been interviewing for jobs with them back in Mtl, and apparently they have a lot of Vancouver-based positions they are looking to fill (FA positions).

[Johnny Aussie]

According to this article dated 3 December, Aeromexico plans to start service to YVR in the "first half of 2011." See last paragragh.

Obviously going to take advantage of the demise of Mexicana, whether or not Mexicana starts flying again.

It's funny that both OAG and Amadeus (amongst others) still shows MX flying daily to YVR idefinitely. Don't think so!

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/201...co-adds-capacity-on-seven-us-routes.html

[deasine]

Not surprised. Aeromexico just confirmed their YYZ routing as well.

[vanlaw]

WestJet Airlines Ltd., Canada’s second-biggest airline, confirmed Wednesday that it has signed an agreement that will allow passengers travelling on British Airways to connect to WestJet’s network.

The so-called inbound interline agreement would advance WestJet efforts to expand beyond its low-budget roots, as it seeks new sources of revenue and profit, while trying to attract lucrative business passengers.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-inv...act-with-british-airways/article1830013/

[Yume-sama]

I've heard they'll soon have an agreement with Emirates, too. Funnelling people out of Toronto around the country.

And allow the booking of flights from say, Vancouver to Dubai through YYZ.

[deasine]

Personally speaking, I hope WS continues its airline expansion. It already seems to be moving into a "semi-low cost network" model (i.e. Air Berlin), rather than just being a "low-cost carrier" (i.e. Southwest), especially since the prices for both WS and AC are quite similar. I'm hoping WS will eventually join the OneWorld family.

From a OneWorld's standpoint, the airline alliance is lacking on the size of its airline global network. I know OneWorld focuses on delivering quality airline models on its alliance network, but the North American network is just pathetic. I'm sorry to say, but AA is just horrible, and WS is miles better. Comparing to other allainces, Star Alliance has a much larger North American airline network (AC, UA/CO, US) and SkyTeam has DL, which is currently still the largest airline in the world. Plus, WS and OneWorld have already teamed up together for business travel through OneWorld's canadaconnect program.

From WS's standpoint, becoming part of OneWorld can also help expand their own network without necessarily introducing transpacific and transatlantic routes. WS is already beginning to form interline alliances with OneWorld partners, i.e. BA and AA, and already has a codeshare alliance with CX. WS already has an extensive network across Canada and is more than capable of becoming a feeder for many of these airlines. With these expanding codeshares, WS can also focus on further expanding their North American network, introducing more transborder routes.

Not that VX Virgin America is the appropriate business model to follow, but I personally think WS should look into following on delivering products similar to that of VX's offering. WS's planes and cabins are already starting to show its age, and I think the next retrofit should include dual cabin offerings, a economy class and a coach class. No, the coach class shouldn't be as extravagant as Emirates, but it should have better seats, improved entertainment systems, etc. Even if they don't have a distinct class, then they should have a more premium economy class that allows for priority boarding, exit row seating/bulkhead seating (more room).

[Yume-sama]

I agree, WS needs to update their cabins soon, AC's Project XM is kicking their behind, especially for trans-continental.

And when they do, I do hope they go more for Virgin America's cabin, and add perhaps 2 - 3 rows of "business" (premium economy, really) seating up front.

There is no real advantage to taking WestJet considering the price is the exact same most of the time. It's cabin or nothing

Here is a typical Virgin cabin~
https://www.virginamerica.com/va/images/pkphotomaincabin.jpg

[twoNeurons]

It looks like it's shaping up to WestJet eventually becoming a OneWorld Member... or at least have some affiliation.

It's an interesting route they seem to be taking, though.

When you think of airlines like Qantas, Cathay Pacific, JAL, British Airways, do you think of WestJet?

Then again perhaps they fit in with Malev (Hungary), LAN (Chile) and S7 (Russia)?

Thoughts on OneWorld, anyone? What would WestJet's joining of OneWorld do for YVR, if anything?

[deasine]

Originally Posted by twoNeurons

It looks like it's shaping up to WestJet eventually becoming a OneWorld Member... or at least have some affiliate

It's an interesting route they seem to be taking, though.

When you think of airlines like Qantas, Cathay Pacific, JAL, British Airways, do you think of WestJet?

Then again perhaps they fit in with Malev (Hungary), LAN (Chile) and S7 (Russia)?

Thoughts on OneWorld, anyone? What would WestJet's joining of OneWorld do for YVR, if anything?

That's exactly the problem right now. OneWorld is a really premium, exclusive airline alliance. It isn't SkyTeam or Star Alliance, who really seems like they want global dominance (quantity as opposed to quality). OneWorld really strives for more quality airlines. Even the "lower status airlines," like MALEV, LAN, S7, and Air Berlin, have some sort of product consistency and baseline.

At this point, WS may not fit too well within OneWorld, but I think they are starting to slowly make these changes. As for what it will do for YVR, it can definitely attract more connecting passengers through YVR from other carriers such as CX, JAL, and to a much lesser extent, from AA. WS's move to OneWorld will probably be much more beneficial for other airports such as YYC or YYZ.

As Yume-Sama has already stated, AC's ProjectXM cabins are much better than WS's current cabin. VX's style is what WestJet should be striving for. WS already has the service, now they just need new cabins. A new, more premium class, can definitely be an advantage for WS, especially if they are trying to attract more businessmen to fly on WS.

VX is definitely one of the best airlines in North America that I've every flown with.