New Airline to launch Transcon routes out of YHM by end of Summer, how will AC react?
#166
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
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...and that was all Air Canada, our 'flag carrier.'
#167
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Canadian customers accepted no free meals onboard. They accepted paying $7 for a beer. They accepted largely unusable Frequent Flier miles with $$$ fees attached. They accepted checked baggage fees. The accepted fees for a seat assignment. They accepted fees for ticket changes. They accepted no blankets and no pillows on a transcon redeye. They accepted paying more for legroom.
...and that was all Air Canada, our 'flag carrier.'
...and that was all Air Canada, our 'flag carrier.'
I can fly a TATL with no beer. I don't think I'd make it with no food.
#168
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#169
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Delta, BC
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Ummm, how is this arrangement really any different than AC selling seats on United flights?
Personally I think they should just ban codeshareing altogether. It would take care of a major customer service problem with the traditional carriers, and it would stop problems like these cropping up where its not entirely clear to the public on whose aircraft services are being offered (ie: Newleaf's, or Flair's).
Personally I think they should just ban codeshareing altogether. It would take care of a major customer service problem with the traditional carriers, and it would stop problems like these cropping up where its not entirely clear to the public on whose aircraft services are being offered (ie: Newleaf's, or Flair's).
Newleaf is not legally an air carrier. They are using Flair's operating license to run these flights. There a variety of regulatory issues with this:
- The tickets should really be issued by Flair, which they may be - but that fact has to be clearly spelled-out. Newleaf could "sell and market" but as essentially a glorified travel agency not as an air carrier.
- The aircraft is apparently marked with Newleaf, but as they are not an air carrier this also requires special dispensation - particularly if the Newleaf name is much more prominent on the aircraft than Flair.
- And several others.
#170
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http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/newl...nada-1.3409142
NewLeaf discount airline postpones service, will refund tickets
NewLeaf discount airline postpones service, will refund tickets
#171
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Savings will be less once grandma gets caught at the gate for an $80 carry on fee and needs to pay for her tea onboard.
I don't see any way Canadian customers will be accepting of this... Similarly I expect backlash when WS tries to charge for meals on their 10hr TATLs too.
I don't see any way Canadian customers will be accepting of this... Similarly I expect backlash when WS tries to charge for meals on their 10hr TATLs too.
Had to pay for the tea. As well for water.
I would not discount Canadian Ma & Pa Kettle happy to pay for a $10.00 Meal on 10 Hour flight if it will save them $50.00 per person in Airfare.
I hope The New Leaf gets off the ground. YWG & YQR market need a break from high WS & AC fares.
#174
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#176
Join Date: Feb 2013
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Yes and it is blocked at 10h30m.
So while flight time is similar and people must have adapted to bringing their own food, it is a transborder flight and that is the expectation. I still think people will be shocked when they get on a flight to Europe and are expected to pull their wallet out of the overhead bin - it isn't the norm. AFAIK only Westjet/Icelandair charge TATL, and only 1 will operate >7hrs.
So while flight time is similar and people must have adapted to bringing their own food, it is a transborder flight and that is the expectation. I still think people will be shocked when they get on a flight to Europe and are expected to pull their wallet out of the overhead bin - it isn't the norm. AFAIK only Westjet/Icelandair charge TATL, and only 1 will operate >7hrs.
#177
Join Date: Feb 2013
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Also note how selecting flights AC vs WS differ. AC is upfront about food for purchase as soon as you select a flight. WS does not show this anywhere obvious on any of their booking screens all the way through to payment. People will be surprised about no complimentary food.
(On an unrelated note, also look how clearly AC makes the point it is a Rouge flight)
(On an unrelated note, also look how clearly AC makes the point it is a Rouge flight)
#178
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,130
Also note how selecting flights AC vs WS differ. AC is upfront about food for purchase as soon as you select a flight. WS does not show this anywhere obvious on any of their booking screens all the way through to payment. People will be surprised about no complimentary food.
(On an unrelated note, also look how clearly AC makes the point it is a Rouge flight)
(On an unrelated note, also look how clearly AC makes the point it is a Rouge flight)
I dont like what WS is doing (or, indeed, the entire airline) but as others have pointed out, Rouge has demonstrated that there is a leisure market with a high tolerance for no-frills products. All WS (or any airline) has to do is undercut AC. AC Y catering is pretty frugal and bog-standard; it's not going to earn a premium. No catering = more room for WS to undercut, no?
Will WS go complimentary or will Rouge match? The latter is more likely than the former if recent trends are indicators. Should be fun to watch.
#179
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The Y food on AC transatlantic varies from poor to inedible. KLM has pretty ok food for Y. Westjet doesn't have free food and I can live with that but the no free bag on trans Atlantic is very poor for sure. Lost 3 tkts so far as I've dissuaded people from booking on WS and directed them to Icelandair.
#180
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Canadian customers accepted no free meals onboard. They accepted paying $7 for a beer. They accepted largely unusable Frequent Flier miles with $$$ fees attached. They accepted checked baggage fees. The accepted fees for a seat assignment. They accepted fees for ticket changes. They accepted no blankets and no pillows on a transcon redeye. They accepted paying more for legroom.
...and that was all Air Canada, our 'flag carrier.'
...and that was all Air Canada, our 'flag carrier.'