Air Canada Plans Major International Expansion this Summer
Big News!
The carrier is launching a new non-stop route between Toronto and Seoul, starting service to Istanbul subject to government approval, adding seven weekly departures to Beijing from Toronto and Vancouver, and upgrading its Calgary-Tokyo Narita route to provide daily service.
Programs: LH, BA, AC Super Elite, IC Amb, Fairmont President's Club Platinum
Posts: 5,281
Wow, that is a massive upgrade of capacity. Particularly the massive increase of capacity to PEK is a little surprising to me. I also wonder where AC intends to pull all the 777 aircrafts from.
Wow, that is a massive upgrade of capacity. Particularly the massive increase of capacity to PEK is a little surprising to me. I also wonder where AC intends to pull all the 777 aircrafts from.
Programs: AC*SE, SQ PPS, CX Gold, HHonours Diamond, SPG Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Hertz #1 President's Circle
Posts: 3,186
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jasper2009
Wow, that is a massive upgrade of capacity. Particularly the massive increase of capacity to PEK is a little surprising to me. I also wonder where AC intends to pull all the 777 aircrafts from.
This is only for the summer SKED and PEK flights always have a healthy load in the back and increasingly the front (with a mix of business folks and young rich Chinese families with little kids) during summer so I'm not surprised at all.
The most surprising one to me is YYC-NRT going daily! With Japan's economy essentially submerged in a tank and increasingly getting worse, it's a bit surprising.
Programs: Aeroplan - E75, Delta Sky Miles - Silver, HHonors - Gold, Club Carlson Silver
Posts: 561
Europe loses? I'm certainly not an expert, and I rarely even know what kind of plane I am on (not sure if these are 777), but where else do they have the planes to pull from?
Programs: UA*G, A3*G, BA Silver, PClub Gold, Choice Gold
Posts: 11,811
Why would anyone fly AC to IST? The route is very competitive, prices are very low in Y - especially ex-USA, TK has premium economy, and a far superior product all around.
I am a bit surprised that Ac thinks there is the volume - They say they will be flying three days a week - hopefully they are doing this to complement TK's four days per week service and will be flying on the days that TK is not coming to YYZ.
Could this be part of a larger plan to revenue share across the Atlantic with TK? - if so, smart move on AC's part even if LH may not be pleased.
Why would anyone fly AC to IST? The route is very competitive, prices are very low in Y - especially ex-USA, TK has premium economy, and a far superior product all around.
I would.
Why buy premium economy on TK while I can buy Tango Plus or Latitude and win aerolotto and sit in J?
Programs: UA*G, A3*G, BA Silver, PClub Gold, Choice Gold
Posts: 11,811
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Lev
eUpgrades.
oh you mean, the pleasure of paying double just to have a chance of clearing an upgrade, and then the fun of feeling like a grade A chump when it doesnt clear?
Programs: AC Aeroplan/MX Frecuenta/Hyatt Platinum/Starwood Gold/Hilton Honors/Delta Sky Miles
Posts: 2,650
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Lev
eUpgrades.
I am a bit surprised that Ac thinks there is the volume - They say they will be flying three days a week - hopefully they are doing this to complement TK's four days per week service and will be flying on the days that TK is not coming to YYZ.
Could this be part of a larger plan to revenue share across the Atlantic with TK? - if so, smart move on AC's part even if LH may not be pleased.
That would be my guess (flying on the non-TK days). TK is expanding at lightening speed and is a major Star Hub in addition to IST being a major tourist destination. Extra lift to PEK no surprise - you can't get a seat in the Summer time. Great to see the return of YYZ-ICN. Any news on the rumoured YUL-NCE route previously discussed here and on a.Net?
Why would anyone fly AC to IST? The route is very competitive, prices are very low in Y - especially ex-USA, TK has premium economy, and a far superior product all around.
There have been a few reports (nothing confirmed AFAIK) that TK is pulling their prem. economy.
