New York to Toronto...WestJet or Delta, A Comparison
May 5, 2015, 12:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Marcos, CA
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum ; Hilton Gold; Hertz 5*, Delta DM. Hyatt Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 215
New York to Toronto...WestJet or Delta, A Comparison
As I have started to take this route frequently I have been playing with the best solution and would love to hear others comments. I live on the west side of Manhattan and having tried both routes and I am just not sold on one versus the other...here are my pros and cons of each.
WestJet:
PROS - LGA is easier to get to; more flights per day; bigger plans (737s)
CONS: it is pretty much taking the bus; no pre-check (and the gate agents told me not to hold my breath); you pay up for better seats; no medallion status recognition; no online check in via delta, only via westjet
Delta:
PROS: Pre-check; online check in; medallion recognition, upgrades (on a CRJ-700, but still) priority boarding; very quick taxi out in the mornings at least
CONS: CRJ-700s; Term 4 is huge and makes for a long trek to the gate; JFK is definitely a bigger hassle to get to; fewer flights and smaller planes means IRROPS could get ugly
WestJet:
PROS - LGA is easier to get to; more flights per day; bigger plans (737s)
CONS: it is pretty much taking the bus; no pre-check (and the gate agents told me not to hold my breath); you pay up for better seats; no medallion status recognition; no online check in via delta, only via westjet
Delta:
PROS: Pre-check; online check in; medallion recognition, upgrades (on a CRJ-700, but still) priority boarding; very quick taxi out in the mornings at least
CONS: CRJ-700s; Term 4 is huge and makes for a long trek to the gate; JFK is definitely a bigger hassle to get to; fewer flights and smaller planes means IRROPS could get ugly
May 5, 2015, 1:26 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL DM, National Executive, SPG Gold, Global Entry, NEXUS
Posts: 263
I usually fly WestJet to YYZ... the no Medallion recognition is very rough during IRROPs. WestJet CSRs are great but basically they can't do much if you're on DL stock, and transferring it to WestJet stock is a pain (WS agent calls DL, wait 30+ min, hope).
WestJet also frequently cancels undersold flights (esp. the 6am one out of LGA). I always try for the 6am, and more often than not it gets canceled.
The good news is WestJet doesn't have a same day issue if you decide to take an earlier flight as long as there's room available. Get there early enough for the 4:14 when you're ticketed on the 5:30? Gate agent will put you on an early flight home.
WestJet also frequently cancels undersold flights (esp. the 6am one out of LGA). I always try for the 6am, and more often than not it gets canceled.
The good news is WestJet doesn't have a same day issue if you decide to take an earlier flight as long as there's room available. Get there early enough for the 4:14 when you're ticketed on the 5:30? Gate agent will put you on an early flight home.
May 5, 2015, 1:35 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Now in SLC
Programs: DL GM 1MM, MR LT Titanium
Posts: 4,117
A couple of the WS cons I don't necessarily agree with; I don't care a ton about a better seat on a <400 mile flight and I'm not sure why it matters if you can check in with DL or not. But I do agree about the IROPS handling being better if you're on a DL ticket flying DL vs. being on a DL ticket flying WS, and being NYC, IROPS happens a fair amount.
May 7, 2015, 12:29 am
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE*2MM. SPG Plat life
Posts: 4,644
As I have started to take this route frequently I have been playing with the best solution and would love to hear others comments. I live on the west side of Manhattan and having tried both routes and I am just not sold on one versus the other...here are my pros and cons of each.
WestJet:
PROS - LGA is easier to get to; more flights per day; bigger plans (737s)
CONS: it is pretty much taking the bus; no pre-check (and the gate agents told me not to hold my breath); you pay up for better seats; no medallion status recognition; no online check in via delta, only via westjet
Delta:
PROS: Pre-check; online check in; medallion recognition, upgrades (on a CRJ-700, but still) priority boarding; very quick taxi out in the mornings at least
CONS: CRJ-700s; Term 4 is huge and makes for a long trek to the gate; JFK is definitely a bigger hassle to get to; fewer flights and smaller planes means IRROPS could get ugly
WestJet:
PROS - LGA is easier to get to; more flights per day; bigger plans (737s)
CONS: it is pretty much taking the bus; no pre-check (and the gate agents told me not to hold my breath); you pay up for better seats; no medallion status recognition; no online check in via delta, only via westjet
Delta:
PROS: Pre-check; online check in; medallion recognition, upgrades (on a CRJ-700, but still) priority boarding; very quick taxi out in the mornings at least
CONS: CRJ-700s; Term 4 is huge and makes for a long trek to the gate; JFK is definitely a bigger hassle to get to; fewer flights and smaller planes means IRROPS could get ugly
Try AC. Basically hourly departures, plus fly the best aircraft on the route.
May 7, 2015, 5:17 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 937
given the short flight i'd simply just book based on price/time. For me at least I find it much much easier to fly out of LGA vs JFK so would book Westjet solely based on that (then again i'm in the upper east and can get to LGA in 15 minutes with no traffic).
But i'd also put in another vote for Porter if you're willing to forgo the skymiles.
But i'd also put in another vote for Porter if you're willing to forgo the skymiles.
May 7, 2015, 7:29 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Delta DM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, National EE, AS MVP Gold 75K, AC 75K
Posts: 1,000
May 7, 2015, 9:04 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Marcos, CA
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum ; Hilton Gold; Hertz 5*, Delta DM. Hyatt Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 215
given the short flight i'd simply just book based on price/time. For me at least I find it much much easier to fly out of LGA vs JFK so would book Westjet solely based on that (then again i'm in the upper east and can get to LGA in 15 minutes with no traffic).
But i'd also put in another vote for Porter if you're willing to forgo the skymiles.
But i'd also put in another vote for Porter if you're willing to forgo the skymiles.
May 7, 2015, 9:23 am
#11
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As I have started to take this route frequently I have been playing with the best solution and would love to hear others comments. I live on the west side of Manhattan and having tried both routes and I am just not sold on one versus the other...here are my pros and cons of each.
WestJet:
PROS - LGA is easier to get to; more flights per day; bigger plans (737s)
CONS: it is pretty much taking the bus; no pre-check (and the gate agents told me not to hold my breath); you pay up for better seats; no medallion status recognition; no online check in via delta, only via westjet
Delta:
PROS: Pre-check; online check in; medallion recognition, upgrades (on a CRJ-700, but still) priority boarding; very quick taxi out in the mornings at least
CONS: CRJ-700s; Term 4 is huge and makes for a long trek to the gate; JFK is definitely a bigger hassle to get to; fewer flights and smaller planes means IRROPS could get ugly
WestJet:
PROS - LGA is easier to get to; more flights per day; bigger plans (737s)
CONS: it is pretty much taking the bus; no pre-check (and the gate agents told me not to hold my breath); you pay up for better seats; no medallion status recognition; no online check in via delta, only via westjet
Delta:
PROS: Pre-check; online check in; medallion recognition, upgrades (on a CRJ-700, but still) priority boarding; very quick taxi out in the mornings at least
CONS: CRJ-700s; Term 4 is huge and makes for a long trek to the gate; JFK is definitely a bigger hassle to get to; fewer flights and smaller planes means IRROPS could get ugly
The fares being the same, I'd go for Delta.
May 7, 2015, 10:03 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Marcos, CA
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum ; Hilton Gold; Hertz 5*, Delta DM. Hyatt Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 215
Chelsea...these are all work trips so the costs aren't a big issue more trying to figure out the best route with all things considered. The IRROPS thing on WestJet has me a bit concerned for the long term. Flying WS one way and Delta back next week so I will keep building my sample size.
May 7, 2015, 4:58 pm
#13
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
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Posts: 10,688
My JFK/LGA YYZ experience:
If you are on a WS ticket, not DL ticket for LGA YYZ, you have more IRROP options with AA LGA YYZ who WS also codeshare with.
DL has 4 pairs of flights daily between JFK and YYZ. Three of the four pairings is served by the same CRJ7 flying back and forth.
If you compare Y vs Y seating, WS is better with 3-3 configuration on the 737 vs DL's 2-2 on a CRJ7.
As for me, I find with my DL status I get better service and have not sat in Y since the CRJ2 were retired from YYZ JFK runs. So seating is better for me, YMMV.
Skyclub at JFK. (None at YYZ, DL or WS)
TSA: With pre DL @JFK got WS @LGA beat. I saw the non-pre line move faster at JFK T4 than WS LGA.
Distance to gate: DL @JFK is at the tip of T4. However you can catch the Jitney shuttle at gate B18. It now runs B18 to end of T4 where the RJ are and then to T2.
DL has 4 pairs of flights daily between JFK and YYZ. Three of the four pairings is served by the same CRJ7 flying back and forth.
If you compare Y vs Y seating, WS is better with 3-3 configuration on the 737 vs DL's 2-2 on a CRJ7.
As for me, I find with my DL status I get better service and have not sat in Y since the CRJ2 were retired from YYZ JFK runs. So seating is better for me, YMMV.
Skyclub at JFK. (None at YYZ, DL or WS)
TSA: With pre DL @JFK got WS @LGA beat. I saw the non-pre line move faster at JFK T4 than WS LGA.
Distance to gate: DL @JFK is at the tip of T4. However you can catch the Jitney shuttle at gate B18. It now runs B18 to end of T4 where the RJ are and then to T2.
May 7, 2015, 5:25 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: USA
Programs: DL Gold / AA Gold
Posts: 609
Yes, immigration at EWR can take long. Try avoid Porter into EWR. A colleague spent longer time waiting in line than the actual flight time.
May 7, 2015, 7:32 pm
#15
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As I have started to take this route frequently I have been playing with the best solution and would love to hear others comments. I live on the west side of Manhattan and having tried both routes and I am just not sold on one versus the other...here are my pros and cons of each.
WestJet:
PROS - LGA is easier to get to; more flights per day; bigger plans (737s)
CONS: it is pretty much taking the bus; no pre-check (and the gate agents told me not to hold my breath); you pay up for better seats; no medallion status recognition; no online check in via delta, only via westjet
Delta:
PROS: Pre-check; online check in; medallion recognition, upgrades (on a CRJ-700, but still) priority boarding; very quick taxi out in the mornings at least
CONS: CRJ-700s; Term 4 is huge and makes for a long trek to the gate; JFK is definitely a bigger hassle to get to; fewer flights and smaller planes means IRROPS could get ugly
WestJet:
PROS - LGA is easier to get to; more flights per day; bigger plans (737s)
CONS: it is pretty much taking the bus; no pre-check (and the gate agents told me not to hold my breath); you pay up for better seats; no medallion status recognition; no online check in via delta, only via westjet
Delta:
PROS: Pre-check; online check in; medallion recognition, upgrades (on a CRJ-700, but still) priority boarding; very quick taxi out in the mornings at least
CONS: CRJ-700s; Term 4 is huge and makes for a long trek to the gate; JFK is definitely a bigger hassle to get to; fewer flights and smaller planes means IRROPS could get ugly