WestJet to launch ultra-low-cost carrier 'Swoop’
Apr 20, 2017, 6:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YYT
Programs: AC E35k, HHonors Silver
Posts: 743
Westjet plans to open ULCC
https://blog.westjet.com/westjet-ann...-cost-carrier/
Hopefully a true ULCC rather than a faux one like Rouge. (Low cost to us: Same cost to you!)
Hopefully a true ULCC rather than a faux one like Rouge. (Low cost to us: Same cost to you!)
Apr 20, 2017, 7:22 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: YYG
Programs: airlines and hotels and rental cars - oh my!
Posts: 2,994
This is extremely interesting in two different ways. Obviously, it would be great to see Canada have a true ULCC with regularly scheduled service (as opposed to a charter operation) and with "low cost" actually extending to the consumer, not just the operator as AtlanticXpat noted.
But beyond that, could having a ULCC subsidiary (?) open the door to Westjet mainline joining an alliance and further developing its value prop for business travel? If Westjet were part of Skyteam, my annual spend with them could more than double.
But beyond that, could having a ULCC subsidiary (?) open the door to Westjet mainline joining an alliance and further developing its value prop for business travel? If Westjet were part of Skyteam, my annual spend with them could more than double.
Apr 20, 2017, 7:50 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Nothing, AC Something, AS Gold. Too big for 737Max washrooms
Posts: 893
Apr 20, 2017, 8:25 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: YVR TLS
Programs: Air France Flying Blue, Altitude SE-100k, AAdvantage, United Mileage Plus, WS rewards, BonVoy Titan
Posts: 912
ULCC, works ok in Europe, in Canada not so sure...lack of population density and spread out over long distances!!
Apr 20, 2017, 8:27 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: YVR TLS
Programs: Air France Flying Blue, Altitude SE-100k, AAdvantage, United Mileage Plus, WS rewards, BonVoy Titan
Posts: 912
https://blog.westjet.com/westjet-ann...-cost-carrier/
Hopefully a true ULCC rather than a faux one like Rouge. (Low cost to us: Same cost to you!)
Hopefully a true ULCC rather than a faux one like Rouge. (Low cost to us: Same cost to you!)
Apr 20, 2017, 8:34 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan/Hilton Gold/Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/Accor/Hyatt Gold Passport
Posts: 5,899
ULCC? C'mon. Until taxation and user fees are greatly relaxed, ain't going to happen. The start-up of WestJet Lite is an acknowledgement that even with their current "model" and cost structure, certain routes are not providing adequate return. The usual cast of characters: Florida, Hawaii, Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, etc.
Apr 20, 2017, 8:48 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: YYC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Fairmont Plat, IHG Spire, SPG Gold, WS Gold, Hertz PC, National E Elite,
Posts: 2,768
This is a very very weird, sparse press release. I can only think that there is something going on behind the scenes with a competitor, and they put this release out to scare them off. It is very unlike WS to put out a vague, pointless press release like this. This has to be a scare tactic.
Apr 20, 2017, 9:10 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,898
ULCC? C'mon. Until taxation and user fees are greatly relaxed, ain't going to happen. The start-up of WestJet Lite is an acknowledgement that even with their current "model" and cost structure, certain routes are not providing adequate return. The usual cast of characters: Florida, Hawaii, Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, etc.
Apr 20, 2017, 9:51 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,898
This is a very very weird, sparse press release. I can only think that there is something going on behind the scenes with a competitor, and they put this release out to scare them off. It is very unlike WS to put out a vague, pointless press release like this. This has to be a scare tactic.
Apr 20, 2017, 10:27 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: YWG
Programs: Aeroplan, MileagePlus, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 2,159
It'll literally be a small fleet of 737s aimed directly at whatever challenger happens to pop up. I wonder what the Competition Bureau will have to say about this?
Apr 20, 2017, 12:01 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 8,001
What I don't understand is the rational.
The press releases say this will be done with -800s.
Max seating on an -800 is 189.
The modifications that WS is doing now will put seating at 174.
Factor 6 empty middle seats for Plus. = 180 seats.
Squish the seats behind Plus, modify/move a washroom and a galley, add another 1.5 rows and you have 189 seats.
Unless this opportunity to Bleu it is about union busting.@:-)
Apr 20, 2017, 12:15 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: No single airline or hotel chain is of much use to me anymore.
Posts: 3,279
So I suppose this monstrosity is going to be called Sarcelle?
I'm going to be pretty frustrated if we end up like Europe where some routes are entirely relegated to horrendous ULCC style service.
I am an extremely low-maintenance passenger, I merely ask not to be in physical pain.
I'm going to be pretty frustrated if we end up like Europe where some routes are entirely relegated to horrendous ULCC style service.
I am an extremely low-maintenance passenger, I merely ask not to be in physical pain.