Calgary International Airport II

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by jmt18325

You also have to remember that the only reason there isn't another Asia flight (to PEK) is the apparent inability of Air Canada to secure another slot there.

Yup. That's it with plenty of potential flights... The "subject to" clause. I don't doubt AC's intentions with YYC-PEK but by the time the slot situation gets sorted the viability may no longer be there. I personally think it will be especially once the economy picks up of course. I still think AC is the best option for nonstop YYC-PEK flights over Hainan due to the significant number of Star Alliance frequent fliers based here. As AC keeps developing the other three hubs as well the possibility of direct flights from other Canadian cities to overseas diminishes unless there is a real strong O&D market for it. AC may just want to funnel pax through YVR. I definitely do not see YYC losing any of its three overseas destinations though. Daily LHR and FRA year round and maybe eventually NRT daily year round.

Originally Posted by jmt18325

You also have to remember that the only reason there isn't another Asia flight (to PEK) is the apparent inability of Air Canada to secure another slot there.

We don't know that for sure. We know they don't have a slot, but only higher ups at AC know for sure if they'd launch PEK immediately. Based on NRT's performance and a multitude of other factors, I'm 99% sure it wouldn't be a guaranteed thing.

[outoftheice]

Official grand opening celebration going on tonight for the new International Terminal at YYC. Not sure how to link photos off of twitter but most of the City Councillors as well as Mayor Nenshi and Kent Hehr have been posting some photos on their twitter feed.

[The Fisher Account]

I thought it wasn't opening until the end of the month? Did they finish early?

[Cage]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

I thought it wasn't opening until the end of the month? Did they finish early?

The terminal opening date is Oct 31, however this past weekend was the ceremonial opening with all the political elite.

[The Fisher Account]

Gotcha - thnx

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Cage

The terminal opening date is Oct 31, however this past weekend was the ceremonial opening with all the political elite.

My invite must have been lost in the mail.

[Cage]

Originally Posted by Acey

We don't know that for sure. We know they don't have a slot, but only higher ups at AC know for sure if they'd launch PEK immediately. Based on NRT's performance and a multitude of other factors, I'm 99% sure it wouldn't be a guaranteed thing.

I'm more optimistic than most that AC would come up with an aircraft if they got a slot pair at PEK for YYC-PEK. I base my optimistic outlook on direct quotes from SVP Network Planning, VP Marketing and the CEO at the May 2016 Calgary Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Are plans guaranteed? No, but this has been a multi year Network plan and fleet plan. If AC doesn't get a slot until 2019 or later, plans will have significantly changed for the fact that AC will have taken all their dreamliners. Assuming the Network planning group is full of commercial aviation savants, all AC new routes being successful would result in no aircraft being available for PEK as AC wide body replacement is completed.

[holhm22]

Got an email from YYC that I have not been selected as a volunteer, process is over, etc. So I guess no trial for me in the end. Was selected to go on this Wednesday actually but I couldn't go.

[hoboman27]

Originally Posted by holhm22

Got an email from YYC that I have not been selected as a volunteer, process is over, etc. So I guess no trial for me in the end. Was selected to go on this Wednesday actually but I couldn't go.

This Wed is apparently pretty big I heard. Though the last time when they did the trial they were short on volunteers as a lot of people didn't show up.

So maybe just show up if you end up being free.

[CalgaryCheese]

Catching a flight tomorrow morning. Hope to see some parts of the new terminal!

[Johnny Aussie]

Nothing major but it does appear the once weekly CDG flight is being chopped.

Direct Europe flights will consist of 3 weekly LGW, 2 weekly MAN and 1 weekly AMS.

Air Transat continues to chip away at Western Canada. YVR is losing FCO and 2 weekly CDG flights but gaining an additional MAN (one of the YYC flights will originate in YVR).

TS adding more flights to YYZ to help feed their European network there.

[Avgeek]

I got a chance to see the new terminal and try out everything that is there. Though I can't comment on concourse D (international) but I have tried concourse E and here are my observations:

• There is a dedicated priority check in for AC - the first time I've seen it at YYC.
• Check in was stellar with lots of self check-in machines and bag drop
• The new transborder area in concourse E now have automated passport control kiosks - the first time I've seen it in contrast to the existing concourse B which doesn't have these facilities
• After leaving CBP, above the escalators there is a duty free shop. For the trial I had to go through the shop to get into the concourse. That shouldn't be a problem after opening since there is a door that you can go through to the food court.
• The terminal is big and requires a lot of walking to the gate - especially those at the end of E (gates E94-E97)
• At the end of concourse E, I didn't see a FIDS monitor unless I walk towards the food court to see flight information.
• Since the airport announced a 'call to gate' system - one of the first in North America - there are fewer seats by the gates and more standing area. It would be great if there are more seats by the gates since not everyone will wait to hear announcements or pay attention to the monitors when to board their flight. I can see that as an issue for some travellers, especially those who are not familiar with this process or those who are anxious. Also, expect some delays due to passengers that didn't pay attention to these announcements or trying to rush to the gate.
• There are no water fountains in the new terminal (I can only comment on concourse E, sorry). That's going to be a problem for those who bring reusable water bottles or don't want to spend too much on water.
• The new gate bridges have a glass partition to separate one gate from another while boarding/deplaning. Also, there is a corridor in the middle of these two corridors that heads straight to customs.
• As I said before, there will be a lot of walking in concourse E from the farthest gate to customs. It is going to be an issue for seniors, those with mobility issues, families, and for those with lots of luggage.
• The customs area is okay but I'm not so sure if it is the same as the one before. What I did see is that there are now automated border clearance kiosks for US and Canadian passports - again the first time I've seen them at YYC.
• Connecting through Calgary with the new terminal is better than the existing terminal but not as smoothly as I would imagine. Since this is a trial, I didn't fully experience transiting from the US to another destination. Also I didn't get a chance to not go through the transit area or not having to go through security again.
  
  After going through the trial, I find that the new terminal was okay even though it is somewhat state-of-the-art. I just didn't think it was spectacular or worth the hype that I was hoping for.

[yyc_engineer]

Originally Posted by Avgeek

[*]After leaving CBP, above the escalators there is a duty free shop. For the trial I had to go through the shop to get into the concourse. That shouldn't be a problem after opening since there is a door that you can go through to the food court.

That door will remain closed at all times (except in the exceptional case that Duty Free is not open and there is/are Transborder flights departing.) The point of a walk-through Duty Free is to have everyone walk through it.

What do you mean by "shouldn't be a problem?" You found the walk through the Duty Free to be problematic / cumbersome?

Originally Posted by Avgeek

After going through the trial, I find that the new terminal was okay even though it is somewhat state-of-the-art. I just didn't think it was spectacular or worth the hype that I was hoping for.

Well that's a bummer! We have to remember context here, and for Calgary, the little city on the Prairie, it is still pretty damn spectacular. Of course it is no Hong Kong, Dubai or Heathrow. But I'm not sure it was ever supposed to be.

[Fuzz]

No water fountains is a 🞵🞵🞵🞵 move.

[alexle]

Originally Posted by Avgeek

[*]There are no water fountains in the new terminal (I can only comment on concourse E, sorry). That's going to be a problem for those who bring reusable water bottles or don't want to spend too much on water. LIST]

I noticed this too, both in concourse D and E. I know I could refill my water bottle using tap water, but I'm curious why this was left out. I also noticed the washrooms don't provide paper towels, so you're stuck with Dyson Blade dryers. I was sweating buckets walking around the terminal in my coat, so I ended up wiping myself down with said coat.

[YYCguys]

I hadn't noticed the lack of water fountains! Good observation! Are they expecting everyone to buy water in the concourse or acquire it onboard now? That is a big miss! Hope that will be fixed pronto!

Also noticed that there weren't any moving sidewalks. As mentioned above, there are some distances to cover and will be challenging for people with small children or people who just can't/don't want to walk that far.

The green chairs in the E concourse were my favorite! So comfy! But didn't see a charging station installed in those seats. The blue sofas though were hard as a rock! At least there are lots of choices of places to sit, however.

[outoftheice]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

No water fountains is a 🞵🞵🞵🞵 move.

Agreed. Especially since a lot of places are now doing one better and installing water-fountains that have a tap incorporated into them that is specifically designed for filling up water bottles.

[RedsunsDriver]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

No water fountains is a 🞵🞵🞵🞵 move.

Be more 🞵🞵🞵🞵 move if they have bottled water vending machines by the washrooms.

[holhm22]

A heads up if no one has noticed, but tomorrow Oct 6, global news is going to broadcast live at the new terminal at 5 & 6pm