On the Swiss rail system, it is possible to buy an annual pass, which is referred to as a general abonnement (GA for short). More information on this topic can be found at http://s26282.sbb.ch/pv/gabasis_e.htm

Now that we have about as much competition in the Canadian air transport industry as the Swiss have in their rail transport industry, I wonder if it would make sense for Air Canada to introduce a GA?

A 2nd class (economy) GA on the SBB (Swiss railway) costs about CA$ 2,500 a year, and a 1st class GA costs about CA$ 4,000. For this the user gets a small ID card and can use the domestic rail system as much as they want for one year.

It would be interesting to consider how to price this for Air Canada. Perhaps they could sell two types of GA, one for all North American, one for worldwide.

A "Y" class North American GA could cost, say, CA$ 40,000 for a year. Booking flights would require the same process as booking a Y ticket. Maybe there could be a cheaper North American GA for people who are willing to put up with travel restrictions - for example, 7 day minimum advance booking, and Saturday night stayover. This could cost CA$ 20,000, and would appeal to the leisure traveller.

If a person had a GA, both they and the airline could forget about Aeroplan, points, all that stuff - who would need it? Also forget about paper tickets - everything could be done with an "E-ticket", since there would be no need for cash transactions, other than the one fee each year.

For a worldwide GA, for Y class with no booking restriction, perhaps CA $75,000 a year (good on domestic flights as well)? J class perhaps CA $100,000?

Forget all the interline stuff, Star Alliance stuff, etc - just a simple pass, buy it and use it. No tears, no complications, no perks. I doubt that many people would over-use it, because there would be no incentive to (no points or miles), and I know from experience that when you are doing 20 or more trans-atlantic segments a year, one gets real tired of air travel.

Can anyone elaborate further on this? Any thoughts? For the first week, let's just brainstorm the positive (in favour of)thoughts, or possible variations. No shooting ideas down just yet. After a week is up, then all the posts with the reasons why it may not work will be welcome.

Air Canada is a pretty innovative carrier, and I think it would be a worldwide first if an air carrier tried a GA pass.

It would be particularily enlightening if there is a forum member out there who has some experience in airline ticket pricing and yield management who could contribute his or her thoughts.