WestJet announces wide-body service from 2015!
#16
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Delta, BC
Posts: 1,646
Expansion of Europe would seem logical.
Flights to the Caribbean from the West would be great.
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM
Posts: 16,652
The positives are availability, price and potential commonality with later versions of the 787 for long term fleet planning/expansion.
Last edited by The Lev; Jul 8, 2014 at 4:49 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: YWG
Programs: Aeroplan, MileagePlus, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 2,159
#20
#21
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYC
Programs: AC Basic, UA MP Gold, Marriott Gold Elite, SPG Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 3,008
I think WS will want to go smaller rather than bigger, so I envision either:
- Buy 763's to test the waters then either buy the 787 or 330neo
- Jump in with both feet, get a great deal from Boeing on the 787 terrible teens (at least for the short-medium term) WS doesn't need the really long range of newer 787's. As part of the package, get slots later in the decade for 787-9's to give them greater flexibility in terms of size and range.
As too code pt of buying used 763s, some internal WS peeps seems to indicate a preference for QF 763s. QF has stated they want 763s off property by q3-2015.
Word of caution on QF aircraft, they are very high cycle from doing SYD-MEL all day long. The interiors are very old. Aside from high cycle old interior, these are very well maintained aircraft, come with fleet commonality, and can work for the next few years until the wide body business model gets proved.
#22
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYC
Programs: AC Basic, UA MP Gold, Marriott Gold Elite, SPG Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 3,008
The risk with 787 terrible teens is "what else could go wrong". Also if there is another significant air worthiness directive, there is risk the Boeing fix may not apply to these oddball aircraft.
On your point about f buying used 763s, some internal WS peeps seems to indicate a preference for QF 763s. QF has stated they want 763s off property by q3-2015.
Word of caution on QF aircraft, they are very high cycle from doing SYD-MEL all day long. The interiors are very old. Aside from high cycle old interior, these are very well maintained aircraft, come with fleet commonality, and can work for the next few years until the wide body business model gets proved.
On your point about f buying used 763s, some internal WS peeps seems to indicate a preference for QF 763s. QF has stated they want 763s off property by q3-2015.
Word of caution on QF aircraft, they are very high cycle from doing SYD-MEL all day long. The interiors are very old. Aside from high cycle old interior, these are very well maintained aircraft, come with fleet commonality, and can work for the next few years until the wide body business model gets proved.
#23
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YEG - No Particular Loyalty Anymore
Posts: 3,610
We have a place in PSP and in the off-season fly UA or AS via their hubs and once in a while US via PHX.
Unless I am going to LHR, I will be flying FI via KEF to Europe including this fall.
I have not connected in YYC in nearly 10 years. I had some reward points on CO and used them up to take the family to TPA.
Last edited by ProudEdmontonian; Jul 9, 2014 at 2:46 pm
#25
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,746
Just out of curiosity, what difference does it make if you go YEG-YYC- (your destination) Vs. YEG - (UA or AS hub)- (your destination)?
#26
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: YVR
Posts: 80
Connecting in Canada would require repassing security and then to CBP pre clearance.
#27
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 980
The other day on an SFO-YVR flight, a guest on my WS flight that was transferring to another airline's flight onwards to China said she didn't need to fill out the Canada Customs Card because she will be going through a special bypass in YVR for transiting guests onwards to China. Does anyone have any idea what is she talking about?
#28
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YEG - No Particular Loyalty Anymore
Posts: 3,610
As well, the more Edmontonians who avoid connecting in Canada the more likely that non-stops will be added such as, for example, YEG-LAX on AA most recently.
#29
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,746
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
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