Random Widebodies on YYZ-YEG?
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50K (*G), Westjet Gold
Posts: 788
My 788 flight is on Feb 22.
Even today though - frequency is completely normal at 7 flights, but 3 of those are on 763s, which is completely bizarre.
The 763s I kind of understand - like others have said, they're pulling them off TATL flights, so it makes sense they'd put them on transcons (though I'd have thought YYZ-YYC would be the priority). Its the 777s and 787s that surprise me more...
Even today though - frequency is completely normal at 7 flights, but 3 of those are on 763s, which is completely bizarre.
The 763s I kind of understand - like others have said, they're pulling them off TATL flights, so it makes sense they'd put them on transcons (though I'd have thought YYZ-YYC would be the priority). Its the 777s and 787s that surprise me more...
#18
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: MEX/YVR/YYF
Programs: AS MVP/AC75K/AM Gold/UA*S/SPG-Marriott Lifetime Titanium/Accor-FPC Gold/HHDiamond/Hyatt Exp
Posts: 5,035
Very few "business class" seats are actually filled with people travelling on, or being paid for by 'business' these days. The front cabin probably does better to the Carribean and Florida yield-wise, where you have retirees with money and rich people paying up, than it does on YEG/YVR/YYC where almost nobody is actually paying for it.
I was surprised to see a last minute full-fare J pax be driven up to AC 33 last night for YYZ-YVR who was confirmed in the last J seat and the agents were debating with the concierge on which Elite they should deplane. The conversation was comical and unnecessary, and the pax was not impressed when the lead agent advised "I realize you paid full J but I only have confirmed Business to YVR and Economy to SYD at the moment."
Not everyone is upgrading to YVR/YEG/YYZ.
#19
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,767
Remember that, while the vast majority of the 320 fleet is ancient and probably headed straight to the scrapyard, AC has a handful of 320s that were built in the early 2000s, which could easily lead long and productive lives at rouge:
- C-FGJI, first delivered June 2002
- C-FGKH, first delivered May 2003
- C-FXCD, first delivered June 2003
- C-FZQS, first delivered December 2003
- C-FZUB, first delivered March 2003
- C-GJVT, first delivered March 2002
- C-GKOD, first delivered October 2002
- C-GKOE, first delivered November 2002
AC's materials haven't indicated when the 320s will start to transition out, but it's possible that it could be happening now or soon and this could be impacting the schedule oddities that OP is seeing.
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 669
Check AC's fleet plan in its investor relations materials. See, for instance, page 22 of the Q3 MD&A. That shows 13 320s leaving the mainline fleet this year, with 3 being added at rouge.
Remember that, while the vast majority of the 320 fleet is ancient and probably headed straight to the scrapyard, AC has a handful of 320s that were built in the early 2000s, which could easily lead long and productive lives at rouge:
AC's materials haven't indicated when the 320s will start to transition out, but it's possible that it could be happening now or soon and this could be impacting the schedule oddities that OP is seeing.
Remember that, while the vast majority of the 320 fleet is ancient and probably headed straight to the scrapyard, AC has a handful of 320s that were built in the early 2000s, which could easily lead long and productive lives at rouge:
- C-FGJI, first delivered June 2002
- C-FGKH, first delivered May 2003
- C-FXCD, first delivered June 2003
- C-FZQS, first delivered December 2003
- C-FZUB, first delivered March 2003
- C-GJVT, first delivered March 2002
- C-GKOD, first delivered October 2002
- C-GKOE, first delivered November 2002
AC's materials haven't indicated when the 320s will start to transition out, but it's possible that it could be happening now or soon and this could be impacting the schedule oddities that OP is seeing.
#21
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,767
#22
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,898
AC is running 2-3 763s daily YYC-YYZ most of the winter (two mid day and one red eye) and usually does. They have to fly the wide bodies so much and there is less demand for them in winter.
YEG usually gets one 763 in winter. Can't speak to the random larger aircraft.
For YYC anyway you get signature service year round.
YEG usually gets one 763 in winter. Can't speak to the random larger aircraft.
For YYC anyway you get signature service year round.
#23
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,767
No Signature Service to YYC or YEG:
Originally Posted by Air Canada website
Air Canada is the only North American airline offering lie-flat seats on the following non-stop routes: daily and overnight flights between Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and Toronto; and daily flights between Montreal, New York-Newark and Vancouver
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,803
Actually service on YYC-YYZ on the 763 is signature service. Menu, wines, pad, are the same as overseas service. Differs from service on narrowbodies on the same route.
#26
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,767
#27
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: YEG
Programs: AC SE 100K, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 87
Managed to ride in a J seat on a 788 for AC173 YYZ to YEG Feb 15. Was a bit disoriented as it felt like there should be some slippers included.
Great experience and top notch crew for the flight. It will be tough to think about having to go back to the A320 for the next flight.
Great experience and top notch crew for the flight. It will be tough to think about having to go back to the A320 for the next flight.
#29
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,767
But the answer is likely a very mundane "right back to YYZ".