YVR Airport & Sea Island Developments Discussion

[Yume-sama]

AA's website says it does not~
http://www.aawifiwidget.com/?anchorLocation=DirectURL&title=wifiwidget

[vanlaw]

Anyone have any comments of which of the three is likely to be better than the other two (economy class)? I know most comments would be "pay more and fly Cathay or KA", but all three have some pretty good fares for Feb travel to SE Asia, with China Airways coming in at under $1100 to some destinations. With China Airlines, is transiting in Taipei any better/worse than Beijing or Shanghai with the other two?

Thanks!

Edit: What about EVA as well?

[Yume-sama]

What Country are you going to? If you have to connect with another airline, the alliance partner could be the important thing. =)

Is Air Canada an option for the first leg? I would never have said this a few years ago, but I actually think their economy product is pretty good compared to most.

So long as you're not on a seasonal route with one of their 3 yucky old 767's.

[vanlaw]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

What Country are you going to? If you have to connect with another airline, the alliance partner could be the important thing. =)

Is Air Canada an option for the first leg? I would never have said this a few years ago, but I actually think their economy product is pretty good compared to most.

So long as you're not on a seasonal route with one of their 3 yucky old 767's.

Was thinking about Thailand - China Air flies both legs. AC is pricier than the rest, but I actually just checked Cathay and they were in at under $1250, which i think is extremenly good. For the extra $150 I'd imagine Cathay is a better bet than the Chinese/Taiwanese airlines.

[Yume-sama]

Yeah, I think most people would find some way to relate Chinese airlines to cattle carriers.

Though if you held out for AC through HKG or NRT I've heard good things about Thai Airways.

[deasine]

Originally Posted by vanlaw

Anyone have any comments of which of the three is likely to be better than the other two (economy class)? I know most comments would be "pay more and fly Cathay or KA", but all three have some pretty good fares for Feb travel to SE Asia, with China Airways coming in at under $1100 to some destinations. With China Airlines, is transiting in Taipei any better/worse than Beijing or Shanghai with the other two?

Thanks!

Edit: What about EVA as well?

Personal preference, avoid China Airlines and China Eastern. Air China's experience from what I know is similar to Air Canada. If you are collecting miles on Air China through Air Canada's Aeroplan or other Star Alliance Frequent Flyer Programs, note most of Air China's fares (unless you pay for full fare Economy Y and B) only earn you a % of miles of the route.

EVA Airways is decent but their cabins are old.

As Yume-Sama mentioned, I'm sure you can try getting better fares at the other airlines. Consider other transit points other than HKG/TPE/PEK, there is also NRT (AC/NH or TG), ICN (AC/OZ or TG), or even other airlines like UA or CO in the States.

[vanlaw]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Yeah, I think most people would find some way to relate Chinese airlines to cattle carriers.

Though if you held out for AC through HKG or NRT I've heard good things about Thai Airways.

Just checked. Surprisingly AC comes in at $1230 through NRT. On the way there, there is an almost 24hr layover in Tokyo. At firsst I thought that was bad, but never been to Tokyo so a night there might be nice.

I’m actually kinda baffled at the prices to Asia. Maybe a result of all the airlines flying from YVR? I’m use to at least $1400+ to Europe now in the offseaon, so $1050-$1300 to Asia seems great.

[deasine]

Originally Posted by vanlaw

I’m actually kinda baffled at the prices to Asia. Maybe a result of all the airlines flying from YVR? I’m use to at least $1400+ to Europe now in the offseaon, so $1050-$1300 to Asia seems great.

When do you fly? I'm looking at airfare to LHR and (well) through a very complicated routing, and I'm ending up in SEA, the airfare as of last night was $819 on Star Alliance Carriers (taxes inclusive).

[vanlaw]

Originally Posted by deasine

When do you fly? I'm looking at airfare to LHR and (well) through a very complicated routing, and I'm ending up in SEA, the airfare as of last night was $819 on Star Alliance Carriers (taxes inclusive).

The last 4 times I've gone to europe (mostly to germany) in non-summer months were twice in October, once in early decemebr, and once at xmas. Cheapest was $1141 (2009), then $1430, $1480 and $1560 (xmas - to be expected). There are some good deals to be had, but it seems Europe is creeping up there from what I was seeing in '09. I generally try to go with one stop only.

[mezzanine]

^ FWIW I always try to fly out of YVR and do my best to avoid connecting in SEA and YYZ to encourage more flights to YVR.

If I am going to europe i try to connect in LHR AMS or FRA. you seem to be ensnared by staralliance and get bad options, consider oneworld and use the american airlines hub thru DFW to europe.
...

@vanlaw, can u book thru singapore airlines if u are going to se asia? they are star allliance and you might be able to hub thru japan or korea. too bad they no longer fly to yvr...

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by vanlaw

Just checked. Surprisingly AC comes in at $1230 through NRT. On the way there, there is an almost 24hr layover in Tokyo. At firsst I thought that was bad, but never been to Tokyo so a night there might be nice.

I’m actually kinda baffled at the prices to Asia. Maybe a result of all the airlines flying from YVR? I’m use to at least $1400+ to Europe now in the offseaon, so $1050-$1300 to Asia seems great.

Only because Narita is 90 minutes or so from Tokyo I would not *really* recommend a 24 hour stay in the city, though you certainly could just to get a feel for it. However, the Narita area itself does offer a lot to people who have only a very limited time to experience "Japan", a lot of day tours cater to just that. http://wikitravel.org/en/Narita

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by mezzanine

^ FWIW I always try to fly out of YVR and do my best to avoid connecting in SEA and YYZ to encourage more flights to YVR.

If I am going to europe i try to connect in LHR AMS or FRA. you seem to be ensnared by staralliance and get bad options, consider oneworld and use the american airlines hub thru DFW to europe.
...

all we need are one or two more nonstops to major European hubs. I know people are sick of my harping on Paris, but a sales and marketing representative at YVR said that it (Paris) would be a major market in Europe. It would still be second after LHR, but reportedly might overtake Amsterdam, possibly even Frankfurt as second or third destination; if it had scheduled daily service (but that would be bad for Toronto and its magnificent airport)

[vanlaw]

Thanks for the input everyone. Of course this started as thinking of going to Costa Rica for a couple of weeks, looking at flights around $750-$850, then it starts ..." I wonder where i could go for just a few hundred more..." and then it snowballs

[giallo]

Originally Posted by vanlaw

Anyone have any comments of which of the three is likely to be better than the other two (economy class)? I know most comments would be "pay more and fly Cathay or KA", but all three have some pretty good fares for Feb travel to SE Asia, with China Airways coming in at under $1100 to some destinations. With China Airlines, is transiting in Taipei any better/worse than Beijing or Shanghai with the other two?

Thanks!

Edit: What about EVA as well?

EVA by a country mile. You'll have to connect in Taipei, but it's worth it.

Here's a few words to live by: Never, ever, ever, ever fly with any Chinese airline internationally.

I fly with all kinds of Chinese outfits regionally, but only because I have to.

[Yume-sama]

And how could you not want to fly an airline that has Hello Kitty jets!
http://evakitty.evaair.com/ch/

[Hot Rod]

what about the new kid on the block? China Southern. ...

Guangzhou (CAN) is a brand new airport and China Southern is actually the largest airline in Asia - I think.

It is great to have so many foreign flag (Chinese/Taiwanese) options - Air China, China East, China South, Cathay Pacific, China Air, and Eva for nonstop YVR flights to China (and SE Asia).. ....

[Yume-sama]

An interesting read regarding the 787. Can't wait for Air Canada to start serving YVR with those sweet beautiful jets.
http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flightblogger/2011/11/flying-the-787-this-passengers.html

Sounds like you won't want to fly on anything else after!

[Hourglass]

Can't really go wrong with Cathay or Singapore. Very good IFE for both, and their home airports are fantastic. Cathay has those neat shell seats in economy where you slide down to recline, which is great for those who don't like getting their head cracked when the person in front decides to sleep.

Flying via Japan or Korea also a good choice. Not particularly enthused about either of the Taiwanese airlines, although haven't taken either for a couple of years.

Wouldn't willingly take any Chinese airline by choice.

[Vanzunator]

Originally Posted by mezzanine

^ FWIW I always try to fly out of YVR and do my best to avoid connecting in SEA and YYZ to encourage more flights to YVR.

I do exactly the same, we need to put our money where our mouth is.

[Vanzunator]

Air Transat is adding a third weekly flight to YVR-CDG for summer 2012: two direct weekly flight and 1 weekly with a short stop at YYC all onboard their A330-200.