WestJet to purchase Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners
#76
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,417
Yes, they are now running ads about how they don't overbook and so don't "bump" passengers but in 3 years will that still be company policy?
#77
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE*2MM. SPG Plat life
Posts: 4,644
WestJet could fly to SYD from YYC - a stop in HNL would make it possible. It wasn't that many years ago that AC still stopped in HNL on its SYD flights.
I'm not sure what the fifth freedom rights are about revenue passengers from SYD-HNL (not sure I have the right freedom there), but if that's possible, this could make a lot of sense for WestJet.
I'm not sure what the fifth freedom rights are about revenue passengers from SYD-HNL (not sure I have the right freedom there), but if that's possible, this could make a lot of sense for WestJet.
#78
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,417
#79
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto
Posts: 484
It was originally a CP route, but AC took it over post-1999 merger. I flew it in summer 2000 and the 2am stopover in HNL was awful.
#80
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: YYG
Programs: airlines and hotels and rental cars - oh my!
Posts: 2,986
AC flew SYD via HNL for many years prior to getting the 777s. I flew it several times in the period from 2003 - 2007 on AC 763s.
#81
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: PHX
Programs: AAexp, AC75k, HertzPC, NationalEE, Accor/MariottP, Hilton/HyattG
Posts: 3,606
Based on the WS staff I talked to it looks like it will be lie flats and they are all super hyped for it. Really hoping it's YYC-Asia to compete with the AC NRT service... But who knows what will happen in two years
#82
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,110
#83
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,883
I imagine the 789s will run out of YVR, YYC and YYZ with some "trans-continental" service the way AC does and WS does now with their 767s between YYZ and YYC in winter. I expect you will see a lot of them going to Europe in summer out of YYZ and I expect at least one Asian route out of YYC because YVR is pretty saturated (and Saretsky hinted at this already). Winter I'd expect high traffic sun routes (expanded service to HNL or OGG and Carribean in east).
#84
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYC
Programs: AC Basic, UA MP Gold, Marriott Gold Elite, SPG Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 3,008
Yeah I thought it was a little strange as well.
On further reflection the no increase in capital requirements could be a signal that WS will finance some of the purchase through sale an lease back of 5 aircraft. Pre adjustment to Lease Accounting rules (which don't take affect until 2019), WS plan could involve operating leases to keep their debt to equity ratio below 2.5:1, this is a self imposed limit on the amount of borrowing. In 2019 there will be an accounting change to force all companies to account for leases as finance transactions. But as WS has not early adopted the new standard, they must utilize the existing accounting treatment.
#85
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
Programs: Aeroplan 75K | Latitude Flight Pass junkie
Posts: 1,541
The current league is not the new league. The staff, visual identity and brand all need a refresh. Westjet? For an international airline? The name doesn't really go over well anywhere east in Canada let alone in non-"West" countries in the world.
#86
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, Mileage Plus, WestJet Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,026
We did have North West Airlines for a long time. Sothwest Airlines looks to be doing OK in the US. Not certain changing the name is a needed.
#88
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: YTZ
Programs: Hertz & Avis PC; National EE; SPG & Hilton Gold; AC 35K (yawn)
Posts: 5,921
Don't see the need to update branding at all. At most they are going to become a slightly fancier version of Norwegian, and they seem to have no problem operating flights that go no where near Norway.
#89
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, Mileage Plus, WestJet Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,026
I think WestJet is fine.
#90
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Mostly Canada and the World
Programs: Several
Posts: 484