Well, at least we know the end result of that Focus Group we read about earlier this summer. It will be interested in seeing the new AC Inc. schedules, factoring in these flights and the mainline ones. And speculating about the launch of the western corridor service.

They have also wisely kept a few things that work in Hospitality Class, and give an edge over WestJet: greater seat pitch, inflight entertainment, Aeroplan points and lounge access.

The YYZ-YOW-YUL sked will be of interest to those of us who don't need to be in those cities first thing in the morning for meetings, so we can catch a midday or other odd hour flight to save considerably. I assume these will be continuations of transcon flights from YVR, YEG, YYC and YWG onward from YYZ [and vice versa].

However, I can now see future posts here complaining about not being able to stand by on an AC flight with a Tango flight ticket coupon...

I conceptually agree about the need for airlines to differentiate and rebrand. We have seen this with hotels, and these distinctions have been clearly established in peoples' minds. How the theory will transfer to airlines is another matter. I hope this means more consistency and higher service levels in both cabins on AC itself now. And perhaps by using the bold Purple colour and TANGO name, AC is striving to distinguish the difference. How many people confuse FOUR POINTS with a SHERATON or LUXURY COLLECTION? They do, as noted above, need to make this clear at the airport with bold signage and separate check-in facilities so it does become clear to customers they are paying for a very bare bones product.

How this will impact on the mainline service remains to be seen. We may see only V and above fares on AC, with just weekend sell-offs in L. This would certainly make life for upgrading easier. No more complaints: if you pay any fare on AC, you would be eligible for an upgrade on a NAmerican service if Elite or SE. Base fares would then start at about twice those on TANGO [i.e. YYZ-YVR on TANGO is $398, on AC $798]. I am not sure they'd have to rise fares any further, maybe just rebalance them a bit to reflect new loads [on each flight], capacity [which will be cut back and thus increase loads per aircraft] and cost of service.

[This message has been edited by Shareholder (edited 10-10-2001).]