WestJet Rewards - WS adds YYC-ORD, YVR-ORD

https://www.facebook.com/westjet/posts/244423978970216

Did you think we were done with our summer schedule announcements? Not quite. We're happy to add WestJet flights to Chicago! Non-stop flights will be operating from Calgary and Vancouver to Chicago starting May 14, 2012. See http://fly.ws/WS2ORD for full details. Who is coming?!! Give us your best Chicago tips in the comments below!

Edmonton is screwed again :(

I am very, very pleased about the YVR-ORD route. I hope they give it some time to grow, as I think this could see some decent loads in time. There is currently 5 daily flights on United. Would love to see a fare war =)

Edmonton is screwed again :(

Drive to YYC then. I drive to SEA quite a bit for cheap fares.
Also remember that YYC is a WS hub.

I am very, very pleased about the YVR-ORD route. I hope they give it some time to grow, as I think this could see some decent loads in time. There is currently 5 daily flights on United. Would love to see a fare war =)

And to make it better, the UA planes are Y only....
AA will probably end up codesharing on these flights.

If they're connecting hubs, I wonder if we will see YYC-MIA?

Edmonton is screwed again :(

I belive the term is "punished". ;)

Also remember that YYC is a WS hub.

YYC is the WS hub.

I belive the term is "punished". ;)



YYC is the WS hub.


WS also has quite a few nonstops from YYZ.

I believe YYZ has more flights now than YYC now from Westjet.

They usually do add flights to YYC before YEG, but it is what it is, when you live at the end of the line.

I believe YYZ has more flights now than YYC now from Westjet.

They usually do add flights to YYC before YEG, but it is what it is, when you live at the end of the line.

Calgary has more flights than Toronto.

It's as much the numbers and having the HQ as it is WS' history in YYC that while make it the WS hub or home base, if you will.

I can't see YYC-ORD selling well from YEG but it does open up some opportunities if the UA nonstops are either unavailable or too pricey. Just MHO, of course.

Calgary has more flights than Toronto.

Should rename it Calgaryjet.....:)



The YYC ramp can be quite boring at times....

Should rename it Calgaryjet.....:)



The YYC ramp can be quite boring at times....

But WS has more than just flights from YYC.....

I find these routes to be quite interesting. IMHO these flights are intended to take advantage of the codesharing agreement with AA with a significant portion of PAX connecting beyond ORD. I doubt that WS would be trying these routes if they were to rely only on O&D. I suspect that there will possibly be service to additional AA/DL hubs in the near future given WS's agreements with both airlines.

I thought that AA served both of these routes and that this might draw some potential traffic from AA on these routes, but I guess AA doesn't really serve these routes so the loss would come (almost) entirely from UA/AC (YVR-ORD not served by AA and the AA route map shows YYC-ORD by American Eagle although I can't find this flight on the AA timetable).

Drive to YYC then. I drive to SEA quite a bit for cheap fares.
Also remember that YYC is a WS hub.

What does the fact that you drive to SEA have to do with anything? I know very few people in YEG who want to drive to YYC to catch flights, other than a few who catch charters, etc. that are not available in Edmonton. I suspect that many through fares on AA/WS that route YEG-YYC-ORD-Elsewhere will be available at a price point that would make the drive not worthwhile.

I don't know of any more current data, but according to this thread (now 5 years old), YEG is the #3 airport for WS in Canada. IMHO it is not unreasonable to think that similar service would come to YEG in the near future.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/westjet-frequent-guest/689880-yeg-surpasses-yvr-westjet.html

WS also has quite a few nonstops from YYZ.

Really? WS also has quite a few nonstops from many other Canadian cities too... :rolleyes:

But WS has more than just flights from YYC.....

Thanks for the insight. :rolleyes:

WS top 5:

YYC
YYZ
YVR
YEG
YWG

On another note, I can save $20 on the return by going ORD YVR YYC, as that is a legal routing.
(And ditching a flight)

Edmonton is screwed again :(

Completely. Of course that has nothing to do with the fact that

Edmonton has less population than Calgary, and MUCH less than Vancouver
YEG-YYC-ORD only adds 119 miles to the trip
Calgary is WS' primary hub

Completely. Of course that has nothing to do with the fact that

Edmonton has less population than Calgary, and MUCH less than Vancouver
YEG-YYC-ORD only adds 119 miles to the trip
Calgary is WS' primary hub


Metro areas are about the same Calgary 1,214,839 Edmonton 1,159,869, only 54,970 difference.

What is more important is who will use the service and how is best for Westjet to get the people from A to ORD

Metro areas are about the same Calgary 1,214,839 Edmonton 1,159,869, only 54,970 difference.

What is more important is who will use the service and how is best for Westjet to get the people from A to ORD

That's a lot of people.

But it is also geography. Calgary is more conveniently located compared to Edmonton to just about everywhere WestJet goes except maybe Whitehorse.

Also, Calgary is setting itself up as the gateway into Alberta.

It also helps WestJet is headquartered there.

That's a lot of people.

Not really.

It also helps WestJet is headquartered there.


I notice HQ location has influence on Calgaryjet's routemap. Seem to attempt many routes from Calgary.

I notice HQ location has influence on Calgaryjet's routemap. Seem to attempt many routes from Calgary.

Some of their routes are also from YYZ, such as YYZ-AUA.

Some of their routes are also from YYZ, such as YYZ-AUA.

Population Toronto metro: 6million, GDP: 300billion$
Population Calgary metro: 1million, GDP: 69billion$

Edmonton is screwed again :(

Nevermind, WestJet is considering YEG-NYC, SFO, DFW, IAH (apparently)

http://www.inews880.com/Channels/Reg/LocalNews/story.aspx?ID=1653552

Nevermind, WestJet is considering YEG-NYC, SFO, DFW, IAH (apparently)

http://www.inews880.com/Channels/Reg/LocalNews/story.aspx?ID=1653552

I can definitely see YEG-NYC work due to demand. However, didn't WestJet do YEG-SFO in 2010 and pulled out due to low demand?

I can definitely see YEG-NYC work due to demand. However, didn't WestJet do YEG-SFO in 2010 and pulled out due to low demand?

Why would WS start more flights from YEG when their hub is in YYC?

Also, what airport in NYC would they use?
JFK is too congested, LGA breaks the 1500 mile perimeter rule, and EWR is too expensive to actually get into the city (IIRC it was $70?), and is a *A hub.

EWR is too expensive to actually get into the city (IIRC it was $70?)

I've gotten into Manhattan from EWR for far less several times.

I notice HQ location has influence on Calgaryjet's routemap. Seem to attempt many routes from Calgary.

You only have to look at a map to figure out why WJ routes their aircraft the way they do. Very few people are prepared to fly 160 miles north to fly south, east or west.

If Edmonton were 160 miles south of Calgary, it'd be a different story!

:)

And to make it better, the UA planes are Y only....

Not sure what you mean...UA has 1 mainline and 2 UX nonstop flights to YYC daily, all have F and Y. YVR service is all mainline. All-Y TED planes had all been reconfigured with F seats long time ago.

AA will probably end up codesharing on these flights.

That would awesome. Lower fares would also be great.

If Edmonton were 160 miles south of Calgary, it'd be a different story!

:)

Wasn't an oberservation relative to Edmonton at all. Wondering; is WJ is blinded by their Calgaryism?

EWR is too expensive to actually get into the city (IIRC it was $70?)

Taxi from EWR is relatively expensive, but NJ Transit trains get you into the city in 40 min and cost $12.50.

Wondering; is WJ is blinded by their Calgaryism?

Blinded? IMHO their vision is far more accurate than their competition.

I can definitely see YEG-NYC work due to demand. However, didn't WestJet do YEG-SFO in 2010 and pulled out due to low demand?

WestJet also pulled out of YYC-SFO only to resume it a few years later. Same for YVR-LAX.

Blinded? IMHO their vision is far more accurate than their competition.

Especially since their competition has employees that don't seem to be happy most of the time.

Especially since their competition has employees that don't seem to be happy most of the time.

Apologies, didn't mean to question WJ strategy, seems to be a sensitive topic.

Apologies, didn't mean to question WJ strategy, seems to be a sensitive topic.

Well you are talking on a WS forum...

But anyway, its completely natural for WS to want its business at its hub. I mean, it makes sense solely from the perspective of economics: economies of scale!

Well you are talking on a WS forum...

But anyway, its completely natural for WS to want its business at its hub. I mean, it makes sense solely from the perspective of economics: economies of scale!

And most other airlines as well.

YYC-SFO started as a seasonal service. I think it is now year round now. With all the money they make, perhaps other airlines should consider running seasonal service on routes, and not operate them when there's no money to be made!

YYC-SFO started as a seasonal service. I think it is now year round now. With all the money they make, perhaps other airlines should consider running seasonal service on routes, and not operate them when there's no money to be made!

It's still seasonal service. From November-May, you can fly WestJet to Los Angeles and then transfer to American Airlines (codeshare partner) to San Francisco.

It's still seasonal service. From November-May, you can fly WestJet to Los Angeles and then transfer to American Airlines (codeshare partner) to San Francisco.

P or higher only :(

Well, I for one am happy to see the YVR-ORD route.

ORD being served by many carriers to the Eastern Europe Countries - Turkey, Jordan etc. IT makes it much easier to get tickets to that part of the world, even if it's on two different alliances.

Well, I for one am happy to see the YVR-ORD route.

ORD being served by many carriers to the Eastern Europe Countries - Turkey, Jordan etc. IT makes it much easier to get tickets to that part of the world, even if it's on two different alliances.

IT Should have been in OW by now, but.....

Wasn't an oberservation relative to Edmonton at all. Wondering; is WJ is blinded by their Calgaryism?
Purely a case of economics, if Edmonton to anywhere can produce a good yield in a sustainable manner, then that route would be a candidate for service.

IT Should have been in OW by now, but.....

From a flyer, yes I agree, but as a business, it wouldn't make sense since they can get the best of both worlds. Really, all they need is a more polished frequent flyer program...

Purely a case of economics, if Edmonton to anywhere can produce a good yield in a sustainable manner, then that route would be a candidate for service.

I wonder, though, if WS is going to go (or heading there already) to more frequencies from hubs (or hub-like airports) over more point to points from a variety of airports. One of the things that keeps me from booking WS on many US routes is that the schedules often don't work out well due to lack of frequency. WS will get me to, say, LAS nicely from YQR, but the return is horrendous as the evening flight to YQR is too early to make, or something like that. (SNA or SAN might be better examples as there are less flights overall on WS to those airports than LAS).

You don't usually have two hubs in one region, let along the same province/state.

I wonder, though, if WS is going to go (or heading there already) to more frequencies from hubs (or hub-like airports) over more point to points from a variety of airports. One of the things that keeps me from booking WS on many US routes is that the schedules often don't work out well due to lack of frequency. WS will get me to, say, LAS nicely from YQR, but the return is horrendous as the evening flight to YQR is too early to make, or something like that. (SNA or SAN might be better examples as there are less flights overall on WS to those airports than LAS).

You don't usually have two hubs in one region, let along the same province/state.
Hub or no hub, demand will still drive system routing, if the primary aim of the airline is to be profitable. WestJet is not a pure hub operator (like the US legacy airlines) or a point-to-point operator (like the pure LCCs). The schedule is driven by demand matched with aircraft utilization and route profitability, there is no one answer to the optimum routing and schedule in WestJet's world, or any other airline that strive to make a profit, but a whole mesh of possibilities that may work to drive profitability.

Purely a case of economics, if Edmonton to anywhere can produce a good yield in a sustainable manner, then that route would be a candidate for service.

Somewhat true as CO/UA now has two daily non-stops YEG-IAH.

As for the inane suggestion to go to YYC to fly somehwere, get a grip.

For the extra $30 or whatever and the lack of hassle going through that mess, I'm proud to say it's been 8+ years since I've connected there or through YYZ for that matter.

I Fly Edmonton First!!

Is there any information on who will ground handle WS in ORD, and what terminal will WS operate from?

Blinded? IMHO their vision is far more accurate than their competition.

Yes each 1/4 we get reminded AC is in business for Management salaries and West Jet make the company money.

Somewhat true as CO/UA now has two daily non-stops YEG-IAH.

As for the inane suggestion to go to YYC to fly somehwere, get a grip.

For the extra $30 or whatever and the lack of hassle going through that mess, I'm proud to say it's been 8+ years since I've connected there or through YYZ for that matter.

I Fly Edmonton First!!

you are a the last of the YEG who can avoid yyz or Calgary our new capital:D

Is there any information on who will ground handle WS in ORD, and what terminal will WS operate from?


Looks like WS will operate from T3.

Westjet has some very well priced vacation packages to Chicago this summer. Can't speak for the business traveler on this one, but the evening times work well for a leisure trip.