Calgary International Airport II

[YYCFlier]

Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie

But that’s just it, Westjet continues to grow its network at YYC while AC continues to shrink. The pattern has been developed.

In the west, Air Canada has chosen YVR. WestJet has chosen YYC. Some overlap exists, but I agree, this is the pattern. WestJet continues to build YYC as a fortress hub. Internationally, however, AC still holds an advantage, even if YYC is its smallest hub with FRA, LHR and NRT. For as long as this lasts

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by CTrainDude

They may show as A320s, but I can tell for certain that they WERE scheduled as Max 8s. I unfortunately have the itineraries from before and after the grounding to prove it....

Sorry I meant last winter they were A320s.

I still don’t think the Max grounding has anything to do with this one. They haven’t scheduled that far ahead yet.

[YYCFlier]

Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie

I think this flight doesn’t need connections to fill from YVR. Pretty sure it’s just local point to point. They’ve moved the departure time earlier as well.

Oh, I'm sure they've done the math. I'm just saying usually when they cut a YYC route, they push the YYC traffic via YVR. They don't even care to bother. Likely means WS has a stranglehold over this route.

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by YYCFlier

Oh, I'm sure they've done the math. I'm just saying usually when they cut a YYC route, they push the YYC traffic via YVR. They don't even care to bother. Likely means WS has a stranglehold over this route.

Just like YYC-PHX as well. Dropped by AC this summer due to the MAX groundings. But obviously this route would have been underperforming in order for it to be suspended. Westjet continues to turn the screws on AC at YYC.

[YYCFlier]

YYC-PHX temporary. I think it will remain year round.

However lost this year:
YYC-SEA
YYC-PDX down to 1x daily (WS launched too)
YYC-YQQ
YYC-PSP

MAX grounding:
YYC-PHX
YYC-YXU

[Johnny Aussie]

And the puddle jumpers. YQF and YXC i think YXT was attempted again but dropped?

[Johnny Aussie]

YYC facts sheet on their website updated and shows 2018 cargo as 146,000 tonnes.
Press release in January 2019 for 2018 says there was "strong growth" but no total.
Press release in February 2018 for 2017 states 147,000 tonnes.

Hmmmmm.

[Tobuz]

https://www.yyc.com/News/tabid/91/articl...t-YYC-Calgary-International-Airport.aspx


New eating and shopping options landing at YYC Calgary International

Calgary, Alberta (June 13, 2019) -- Today, YYC Calgary International Airport announced it is embarking upon a journey to refresh eating and shopping options at the airport. The two-year project will improve our guests' experience with over 50 new and renovated eat and shop locations, starting with global restauranteur HMSHost's new family casual full-serve restaurant, The Burger Federation, in our Domestic Terminal.

“Guest survey results have emphasized the need for new and refreshed eating and shopping options and we are excited to deliver on the requests of YYC travellers,” says Michael Hayward, Vice-President, Marketing and Guest Experience, The Calgary Airport Authority.

Calgary and the surrounding region has a reputation for legendary hospitality, which extends to the airport. Several of our partners are bringing these legendary experiences to life with new options for guests, including:

HMSHost's The Burger Federation, Flames Grill (with the Calgary Flames), Last Best Brewing & Distilling
Made Foods
Paradies Lagardère‘s Three Sisters, No Boundaries, Rundle Market
“Our goal is to bring the very best locally well-known brands to our guests,” says Rob Palmer, CFO and Vice-President, Finance, The Calgary Airport Authority. “Welcoming these new concepts will substantially increase the number and improve the variety of eating and shopping options at our airport.”

“Providing Calgary travellers with a memorable dining experience each time they visit the airport is our first priority. The Flames Grill, Last Best Brewing & Distilling, and The Burger Federation represent just the right mix of favorite regional flavours, local culture, and on-trend brands to inspire excitement about eating in the airport,” says Kent Vanden Oever, Vice President of Business Development, HMSHost.

“We are both excited and proud to be part of the new guest experience improvements at YYC. Our ambition is to deliver the same high level of customer service and culinary delights that you would experience during a Flames game at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Flames Grill will also provide a relaxing environment with large TV screens keeping travellers engaged in everything Flames including all live sporting events. Every day will be game-day for YYC guests at the Flames Grill,” says Ziad Mehio, Vice-President, Food & Beverage and Information Technology, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation.

“We are excited to be included in this diverse group of truly local brands. Last Best's goal has been to create authentic, quality-driven experiences for our guests. It's a wonderful opportunity to be the first and last point of contact for travellers who get to taste a little bit of Alberta on their plate and in their beer glass," says Brett Ireland, CEO, Last Best Brewing & Distilling.

"It’s an honour to be a part of the refresh program at YYC Calgary International Airport. The need for healthy, convenient food options while travelling has never been greater. Travellers can count on us to offer a selection of fresh, delicious local meals, both Made-to-order and ready to eat, with endless options for all dietary preferences and keeping your health top of mind,” says Chris Dobson, President, Made Foods.

“Paradies Lagardère is thrilled at the opportunity to continue its long-standing relationship with YYC, and work with the airport as it moves into its next phase. We’re confident that the retail program Paradies Lagardère has put together will offer travellers an enhanced customer experience unlike any other,” says Gregg Paradies, President and CEO, Paradies Lagardère. “We’re introducing several exciting proprietary concepts, including Three Sisters Market and Wine Bar, a gourmet market concept from the award-winning brand Vino Volo, as well as No Boundaries and Rundle Market.”'

Bringing these new and renovated concepts to life will involve some disruption in services. We encourage workers and visitors to watch for updates on yyc.com/eatshop and follow our social media channels for the latest information on construction and closures.

- No real details on timing or phases.

- No details on if all are pre vs post security. (It’s safe to assume “post”, but it’s odd that they wouldn’t mention it.)

- And no mention of taking some big chunks of what’s currently pre-security and transitioning it to post-security/sterile — which is a really big deal, and will require a fair amount of construction.

And this part?!

Our ambition is to deliver the same high level of customer service and culinary delights that you would experience during a Flames game at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Wow. I’m a big Calgary booster and love my city. But a “high level of customer service” in the Saddledome?? Really!?! And the part about “culinary delights” in the Dome ... that really must have been a joke that didn’t get edited out! “I really wish we could get into the Saddledome to line up to get one of their no-name burgers!” said absolutely no one ever. I love going to events there, but face it, the food (other than from the external food vendors who are tenants in the Dome) is 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 awful, and overpriced, and served to you by (nice enough) people who clearly are not experts in their field.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Tobuz

Wow. I’m a big Calgary booster and love my city. But a “high level of customer service” in the Saddledome?? Really!?! And the part about “culinary delights” in the Dome ... that really must have been a joke that didn’t get edited out!

Perhaps they were talking about food in the club section, which is quite good. Service and options for the boxes also good.

[Tobuz]

Originally Posted by suburbia

Perhaps they were talking about food in the club section, which is quite good. Service and options for the boxes also good.

It must be a case of YMMV, because I’ve certainly never experienced “culinary delights” in the suites or the Club section. It’s all fine — but it’s really just stadium food, slightly upgraded. And when I’ve eaten dinner in the Chrysler Club, it’s been due to the convenience factor only. It’s just a “meh”, kind of old-fashioned buffet ... in a handy place to dine if you’re entertaining clients at a game.

Lots of people obviously (me included) get excited about attending events at the Dome.

But I don’t think anyone would ever get excited about the food there, or eagerly anticipate it before arriving! It’s fine for what/where it is, but compare it to the real “culinary deights” that you can get in so many fantastic places throughout this city — it’s a silly claim. That statement from the Flames guy is really just a bunch o’ hyperbole.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Tobuz

I’ve certainly never experienced “culinary delights” in the suites or the Club section.

Most people haven't. But that being said I do agree with you overall.

Frankly, I'm starting to think we need to get with the program and find owners that are interested in bringing basketball to Calgary.

[hollywoodcory]

HU's online timetable shows 2x weekly in early 2020 however it appears that anything beyond DEC 31 is not bookable. Could be a glitch, but perhaps we finally know an answer about when HU is pulling out?

[Johnny Aussie]

AC has updated its winter 19/20 schedule.

As expected the 763s have been removed from transcon flying.

So all YYC-YYZ/YUL/YOW flying a mix of Max 8s, 319s, 320s and 321s. Additional daily flight to YYZ with the loss of the widebodies.

I’m sure this is all still subject to what happens with the Max.

Other changes other than the PSP cut is CUN boosts to daily and some reductions to YEG and YLW.

[hollywoodcory]

F9 also updated its schedule until March 7/2020. Winter schedule shows 1x weekly on Saturdays (last winter it was on Sunday).

Shows 10:43am arrival and 11:45am departure. Last winter it was an evening/afternoon departure.

Still surprised their still hanging on to this route.

[YYCFlier]

Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie

So all YYC-YYZ/YUL/YOW flying a mix of Max 8s, 319s, 320s and 321s. Additional daily flight to YYZ with the loss of the widebodies.

Surprised they are not keeping at least one signature cabin YYC-YYZ, even if just a 333. Winter is usually down time for widebodies.

[YYCFlier]

Originally Posted by hollywoodcory

F9 also updated its schedule until March 7/2020. Winter schedule shows 1x weekly on Saturdays (last winter it was on Sunday).

Shows 10:43am arrival and 11:45am departure. Last winter it was an evening/afternoon departure.

Still surprised their still hanging on to this route.

Not always, seems to vary some on the outbound. Which is a shame because if we can get an early morning arrival to DEN we could actually connect somewhere without overnighting.

It seems like they keep this route for O&D to YYC. But I agree, they should either do the route properly or cut it. I've never been able to use F9 due to the frequency and connection restrictions.

[Johnny Aussie]

Originally Posted by YYCFlier

Surprised they are not keeping at least one signature cabin YYC-YYZ, even if just a 333. Winter is usually down time for widebodies.

I think all the widebodies are fully committed to intl flights this winter with just a few repositioning transcons between YVR and YYZ/YUL.

I doubt anything is finalised yet. I recall the early schedule showed all Max 8s. Now there are a few 321s at least.

[Cage]

Originally Posted by YYCFlier

Surprised they are not keeping at least one signature cabin YYC-YYZ, even if just a 333. Winter is usually down time for widebodies.

Originally Posted by Johnny Aussie

I think all the widebodies are fully committed to intl flights this winter with just a few repositioning transcons between YVR and YYZ/YUL.

I doubt anything is finalised yet. I recall the early schedule showed all Max 8s. Now there are a few 321s at least.

For Winter 19/20 the 333s get a new cabin, so that is putting pressure on the wide body fleet.

Additionally, with all the additional domestic wide body flying caused by the Max8 grounding, there will be maintenance (cycles and hours) issues with having to send more airplanes than anticipated/usual. Pilots maxing out on their annual hours allotment is another issue. IIRC, the pilots max out on hours was an issue for the 320 fleet, especially if the summer had major weather delays in the hubs. It reasons that some wide body pilots may be max out of hours in Nov/Dec.

Easiest place to solve a lot of issues is to reduce domestic wide body flying.

[YYCFlier]

Originally Posted by Cage

For Winter 19/20 the 333s get a new cabin, so that is putting pressure on the wide body fleet.

Additionally, with all the additional domestic wide body flying caused by the Max8 grounding, there will be maintenance (cycles and hours) issues with having to send more airplanes than anticipated/usual. Pilots maxing out on their annual hours allotment is another issue. IIRC, the pilots max out on hours was an issue for the 320 fleet, especially if the summer had major weather delays in the hubs. It reasons that some wide body pilots may be max out of hours in Nov/Dec.

Easiest place to solve a lot of issues is to reduce domestic wide body flying.

I had forgotten about the 333 refurb which they would not do until after the MAX is back in the air. I had no idea there was an annual max of hours for pilots. Daily/weekly I get, but annually?

[YYCFlier]

Did WS increase frequency on DUB or CDG? I see all three 789s in the air tonight from YYC to LGW, DUB and CDG. Seems risky if there's IRROPS. I thought this was why DUB was 3x and CDG 4x.

On another note - in summer, we really do okay for long-haul. LHR (BA and AC), LGW (TS and WS), DUB, CDG, FRA (AC and DE), AMS and ZRH in Europe (7 airports, two of those with more than more carrier), plus NRT and PEK in Asia. For a metro of just under 1.5 million people, how many other places can boast this kind of service?

I think we also got a Signature service to YUL for the summer on a 333.