Oh my. I was so excited by the YYC-MEX route announcement – a resumption of a pre-COVID route that I loved, and a route that I should have been able to make great use of. It just resumed last week.

I’ve tried to book it for my flights to MEX and to other destinations in Mexico. But I really can’t. So far, I’ve booked MEX and other Mexico trips via other airlines and/or other airports.

I fear that a combination of timing + terminal means this one will not do well. I really want it to do well. But I just can’t see it happening.

Problem 1: Times. Yes, AICM is a massively congested airport where available slots for new airlines are almost non-existent. WestJet had to take what they could get. But the times that they got stuck with lead to some big challenges (and make me question the feasibility):

• Going to MEX as your final destination? You’ll land at 12:40am. Then you go through Customs. Finally, you’ll make it to your lodging in Mexico City at perhaps 3am. That’s just undesirable under any circumstances, but I prefer AirBnBs here. It’s infeasible if not impossible to check in to an AirBnb at 3 in the morning. And a hotel arrival at 3am is also not always easy either.
• Connecting at MEX, the home base of WestJet's partner AeroMexico? The WS inbound YYC to MEX at 12:40am does not align with any outbound AeroMexico connecting flights. Not until the next morning. You’ll have hours to kill, overnight, in an airport where everything is closed. And even then, you'll be in the wrong part of the airport ... read on:

Problem 2: Terminals. WestJet uses T1. AeroMexico, their interline partner (and WS sells lots of connecting itineraries to/from AM flights) uses T2. T1 and T2 are nowhere close to each other. They’re on opposite sides of MEX airport. There’s a train that connects the two terminals, but it stops at 11pm sharp – making it useless for anyone attempting to connect between WestJet and AeroMexico. The only option: go landside, get a late night 15-20 minute cab or Uber to get to the other terminal, and then re-clear security in the other terminal. All in the middle of the night.

Problem 3: No recognition by AM. Admittedly this is more of a frustration than a ‘problem’ and only impacts WestJet's frequent customers, but there’s zero reciprocity between AM and WS – in spite of them being fairly significant partners. WestJet status gets you zilch with this partner, so after enduring horrible flight timing and a horrible cross-town taxi journey between terminals 1 and 2, you also will not have access to Sky Priority at an AeroMexico check-in counter, and your AM boarding zone will be determined solely by a combination of your seat row and your SkyTeam loyalty status (i.e. nada, if you booked via WestJet). So, you’re pretty much last to board if you have any type of Y fare.

Problem 4: WestJet “All Economy” on a loooong redeye. Sometimes. I looked at MEX>YYC for some trips where WestJet might be feasible for me. (If you can tolerate a redeye, the northbound segment is workable if you're starting in Mexico City.) On one of my return dates, this 6 hour (from boarding to deplaning) redeye flight is on an "All Economy" aircraft with minimal legroom and 3x3 seating throughout. No Premium. No Extended Comfort. (And the exit rows were pretty much the only seats already selected!) Some flights have Premium and EC. While some are overnight Swoopers/Lynx buses. I can tolerate a red eye if I might have a chance at being comfortable and getting some sleep. I wouldn't tolerate it otherwise.

I really do want this route to be successful. I'm hoping for it. I want it to last. I really want to use it. But ... yikes.