Originally Posted by
StuMcIlwain
When deciding where to operate the A321-XLR, the first question that AC will ask will be "Can we consistently sell 14 J lie-flat seats at a premium on this route?" If the answer is no, I would expect them to use the 737 MAX instead or not fly the route at all. Those J seats take up a lot of space, and someone needs to pay for that space.
YOW-LHR and YHZ-LHR are likely routes. Maybe YOW-FRA. They will probably use them for some secondary European markets from YYZ and YUL that have a strong demand for J but where they struggle to fill up a widebody year round. I could also see them on transcon routes (YYZ/YUL - YVR, SFO, LAX, maybe YYC).
It is unlikely that they will operate them on primarily leisure routes. And unfortunately for YWG, I can't see them selling enough J seats at $3000+ each to justify flying from there to Europe, or to make it worthwhile to dedicate an LHR slot to the route.
For sure. This logic makes the most sense but who knows. We aren't the ones with the previous YWG-X-LHR in paid J data to know if it might work. Are there really that many more cash fares/rich people going via YHZ? Or do you think perhaps some east coast US connections (Bos and if they reinstated NYC) could be swayed instead of YUL/YYZ. YOW-LHR I do agree with is likely the best bet first.
Also all this YHZ and YWG talk...what about YEG -> AC pulled out after icelandair went there but they are no longer present. I believe KLM is the only direct to Europe. That could be another possibility. Je ne sais pas.
I do look forward to seeing where it flies and mostly just trying out the new product
