Originally Posted by
YOWgary
YVR-CUN is well outside the range of a 319, and just barely over the range limit of a 320 or 321, but well within the range of a 7M8..
Huh? What are you basing your assumptions on? First of all, the A319 has more range than the A320 or the standard A321. Second, don't look at the ranges published on AC's website. Thirdly, the A319 is more than capable of flying YVR-CUN, non stop, with full load of passengers and bags.
Another thing to consider is that AC has 2 types of A319s. A 70t MTOW (Max takeoff weight) version and a 75.5t version. Obviously, the 75.5t version can carry more fuel and therefore fly further, if necessary. A 70t A319 might be a little tight for the return leg CUN-YVR in winter. But apart from that, there should be no issues.
A 75.5 t A319-100, no sharklets, according to Airbus, can fly 30,000 lb of payload (that's 120 passengers and bags), up to 3,000 nm. YVR-CUN is 2,417 nm.
Add sharklets, and the frame can fly up to 3,200 nm. With a A319neo it's up to 3,750nm.
Originally Posted by
YOWgary
I've been VDB'd off of EWR-YVR multiple times when it was on a 319, when they needed to reduce loads to avoid a tech stop in Winnipeg. It's a shorter route than CUN-YVR, but IIRC it's more directly into the wind.
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EWR-YVR, especially in winter, is a much longer flight - time wise - than YVR-CUN. The headwinds on the former leg can push 200 miles/hour. The return flight from CUN to YVR doesn't have nearly as much headwind as EWR-YVR does.
Still, the A319 manages just fine on EWR-YVR most of the time.