YYC MLL vs. WS flagship lounge in YYC; how do both compare?
Oct 28, 2020, 1:40 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,946
YYC MLL vs. WS flagship lounge in YYC; how do both compare?
Been a while since I visited YYC MLL, how do both compare?
Article and video: https://calgaryherald.com/news/local...off-in-calgary
WestJet has chosen Calgary to launch its first airport lounge, a move the carrier says “turns up the heat” on rival Air Canada in the ground-based comfort sweepstakes.
WestJet spokesman Richard Bartrem said chief domestic rival Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge at the airport is now in a dogfight.
“Our competitive friend down the road has been running lounges for decades now. They’ve been going after premium and business travellers, and this is relatively new for WestJet and they’re noticing us as well,” he said.
“So we’re very much going after that segment of the market, and the fact the heat has been turned up hasn’t surprised us.”
Recently, Air Canada has been running promotional videos of its Maple Leaf Lounge at the airport, with the motto “welcome back Calgary.”
WestJet spokesman Richard Bartrem said chief domestic rival Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge at the airport is now in a dogfight.
“Our competitive friend down the road has been running lounges for decades now. They’ve been going after premium and business travellers, and this is relatively new for WestJet and they’re noticing us as well,” he said.
“So we’re very much going after that segment of the market, and the fact the heat has been turned up hasn’t surprised us.”
Recently, Air Canada has been running promotional videos of its Maple Leaf Lounge at the airport, with the motto “welcome back Calgary.”
Oct 29, 2020, 4:12 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YLW
Programs: AC- SE100 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, National Executive, Nexus/GE
Posts: 4,300
Been a while since I visited YYC MLL, how do both compare?
Article and video: https://calgaryherald.com/news/local...off-in-calgary
Article and video: https://calgaryherald.com/news/local...off-in-calgary
Everyone with masks kind of takes away from the personalization and social aspects of a lounge, but it is what it is!
Oct 29, 2020, 3:37 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,946
I thought this was interesting
- Anyone flying any airline that wouldn’t otherwise have complimentary access can pay a fee to get in. It costs 59 CAD (~$45) for those flying WestJet and 65 CAD (~$49) for those flying other airlines.
Oct 29, 2020, 3:39 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: YYJ
Programs: AC SE*MM, Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Gold, National EE, Sixt Plat, Hz 5*
Posts: 2,434
I'm glad to see WS bringing in some competition. Particularly on wines, the MLL wines are probably the cheapest drink in there ($10 a bottle at the liquor store).
Oct 29, 2020, 5:52 pm
#5
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: 16,744
The WS lounge doesn't open until next week, so no one knows for sure yet. (That blog piece is just a rehash of the WS PR, including use of WS's photos).
Last edited by tcook052; Nov 2, 2020 at 4:59 am Reason: Post move
Nov 1, 2020, 8:28 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YLW
Programs: AC- SE100 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, National Executive, Nexus/GE
Posts: 4,300
Agree. The points guy posted detailed review here https://thepointsguy.com/news/westje...ry-first-look/
I thought this was interesting
I thought this was interesting
I have two flights to YVR, may make a change and go through YYC and visit the lounge.
Nov 2, 2020, 8:50 am
#8
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: 16,744
I had a look at whether I could get any decent fares for a short hope somewhere this week to go check it out, but nothing looked very good. Maybe later in the week I'll buy refundable tickets on both AC and WS for the same day and cancel after doing a head-to-head comparison...
Eh? The TPG article is clearly 100% recycled WS PR materials. The person who "wrote" it definitely wasn't there.
Eh? The TPG article is clearly 100% recycled WS PR materials. The person who "wrote" it definitely wasn't there.
Nov 2, 2020, 8:52 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: BGI (ex-YYC, YYZ)
Programs: AC*G-E100K (once again)
Posts: 1,701
I kind of like the fact that they offer nap beds. I wish air Canada would have them too in all their lounges
Though the placement right where everyone can see you is questionable.
Though the placement right where everyone can see you is questionable.
Nov 2, 2020, 9:16 am
#10
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, Mileage Plus, WestJet Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,026
It is definitely a step up from the old lounge WS had taken over. The only compelling feature of the old WS lounge was an abundance of cheese. It was cheap cheese that was appropriately paired with cheap wine. This new lounge looks fantastic. Hopefully it lives up to the marketing.
In comparison to AC, Calgary had the advantage of having one of the best (perhaps the best domestic MLL) Maple Leaf lounge in the network. Competition is good especially if it causes AC to up its game.
Nov 2, 2020, 9:19 am
#11
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: 16,744
Nov 2, 2020, 9:56 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: YYJ
Programs: AC SE*MM, Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Gold, National EE, Sixt Plat, Hz 5*
Posts: 2,434
So can we access this lounge when flying AC using priority pass?
EDIT: From what I've read on the WS site, yes. Maybe I'll stop in tomorrow on my way west, would have to route through YYC though. Adam Smith mini do?
EDIT: From what I've read on the WS site, yes. Maybe I'll stop in tomorrow on my way west, would have to route through YYC though. Adam Smith mini do?
Last edited by Nitehawk; Nov 2, 2020 at 10:05 am
Nov 2, 2020, 10:26 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM
Posts: 16,632
So can we access this lounge when flying AC using priority pass?
EDIT: From what I've read on the WS site, yes. Maybe I'll stop in tomorrow on my way west, would have to route through YYC though. Adam Smith mini do?
EDIT: From what I've read on the WS site, yes. Maybe I'll stop in tomorrow on my way west, would have to route through YYC though. Adam Smith mini do?
Nov 2, 2020, 10:54 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYC
Posts: 2,072
Nov 2, 2020, 11:04 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,946
