Air Canada to increase partnership with UA
Jul 23, 2022, 2:40 am
#46
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Ua silver isn't *g, and doesn't get a ton of benefits even from ua. They only get free y+ at check-in on ua flights. Not sure why you would expect to get much on ac.i've not put any words in your mouth. I've simply pointed out that your expectation of getting any real benefits on ac as a ua silver is unreasonable.
Ac isn't "running up the flight count". Yyz<>lga was the 8th busiest air route in 2017-18, for instance, with over 20 flights a day in each direction, let alone yyz-ewr and other permutations between yto and nyc.
Ac isn't "running up the flight count". Yyz<>lga was the 8th busiest air route in 2017-18, for instance, with over 20 flights a day in each direction, let alone yyz-ewr and other permutations between yto and nyc.
lmao!
Jul 23, 2022, 2:57 am
#47
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I've simply pointed out that your expectation of getting any real benefits on AC as a UA Silver is unreasonable.
AC isn't "running up the flight count". YYZ<>LGA was the 8th busiest air route in 2017-18, for instance, with over 20 flights a day in each direction, let alone YYZ-EWR and other permutations between YTO and NYC.
AC isn't "running up the flight count". YYZ<>LGA was the 8th busiest air route in 2017-18, for instance, with over 20 flights a day in each direction, let alone YYZ-EWR and other permutations between YTO and NYC.
I think it perfectly reasonable that UA Silvers should get some real seating benefits on AC flights, no less so when these airlines want to try to get closer and closer at the expense of consumers. Just like I think it perfectly reasonable that AC 25k should get some real seating benefits on UA flights.
Jul 23, 2022, 3:29 am
#48
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Eight busiest in passenger flights is far removed from being eight busiest in number of passengers flown. The number of passenger seats on my NYC-YYZ planes seem to be way down on average than what they used to be back around when LAN did the route too and even before LAN. But it could well be that at times my flights were unrepresentative of the overall picture for what kind of planes were flying the city pair.
I think it perfectly reasonable that UA Silvers should get some real seating benefits on AC flights, no less so when these airlines want to try to get closer and closer at the expense of consumers. Just like I think it perfectly reasonable that AC 25k should get some real seating benefits on UA flights.
I think it perfectly reasonable that UA Silvers should get some real seating benefits on AC flights, no less so when these airlines want to try to get closer and closer at the expense of consumers. Just like I think it perfectly reasonable that AC 25k should get some real seating benefits on UA flights.
Jul 23, 2022, 5:25 am
#49
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Probably means the return of the on again off again UA - Hawaii/Pacific/Asia YYZ/SFO connector flight & possibly real jets to IAH.
Last edited by ACYYZ/SD; Jul 23, 2022 at 5:33 am
Jul 23, 2022, 5:38 am
#50
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YHZ/YQM
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 1,618
It would be nice if this could somehow increase/improve flight options out of YHZ, but I don't see this happening. Direct flights to United hubs like ORD, DEN, IAH, or IAD seem pretty unlikely.
Of course what I really want are direct flights to *A hubs in Europe from YHZ, but that is going way Off Topic.
Of course what I really want are direct flights to *A hubs in Europe from YHZ, but that is going way Off Topic.
Jul 23, 2022, 5:59 am
#51
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YLW
Programs: AC- SE100 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, National Executive, Nexus/GE
Posts: 4,309
The problem is that there are lots of flights on those regional jets that are longer than an hour, where the service level is not adjusted.
YVR-Denver is like 3 hours, and if you end up booking a flight through AC that's actually operated by United.... you get a snack box and like one drink that's never refreshed. Also their wine selection sucks. It's all crappy plastic single serve bottles that have spent the last year cooking in a warehouse. Then they don't even stock enough cups, so if the wine is trash so you ask for something else instead, they take back the cup to rinse and re-use it.
Compared to the same route on actual AC metal: It's a similar sized plane but you get a hot meal, a pre-meal snack of almonds, a post meal snack of chips and/or chocolate, and a reasonable number of top ups on drinks. AC will open a brand new full bottle of wine even if you're the only person who wants some. And it's decently good wine too, like they went to the liquor store and bought a random selection of wines in the $15-20 range. Nothing decadent, nothing bad, just middle of the road decent. And then they store it properly.
United's flagship Polaris is great and all, the problem is that it's not available on the routes that I fly. Everywhere I go is crappy regional jets with crappy food and crappy service. If given the option between AC and United, I will go out of my way to stay on AC.
YVR-Denver is like 3 hours, and if you end up booking a flight through AC that's actually operated by United.... you get a snack box and like one drink that's never refreshed. Also their wine selection sucks. It's all crappy plastic single serve bottles that have spent the last year cooking in a warehouse. Then they don't even stock enough cups, so if the wine is trash so you ask for something else instead, they take back the cup to rinse and re-use it.
Compared to the same route on actual AC metal: It's a similar sized plane but you get a hot meal, a pre-meal snack of almonds, a post meal snack of chips and/or chocolate, and a reasonable number of top ups on drinks. AC will open a brand new full bottle of wine even if you're the only person who wants some. And it's decently good wine too, like they went to the liquor store and bought a random selection of wines in the $15-20 range. Nothing decadent, nothing bad, just middle of the road decent. And then they store it properly.
United's flagship Polaris is great and all, the problem is that it's not available on the routes that I fly. Everywhere I go is crappy regional jets with crappy food and crappy service. If given the option between AC and United, I will go out of my way to stay on AC.
UA may be cheap at times, but I take the AC experience over the UA experience for real trips. Quick short ball weekend flight, flying UA is like taking a bus in the inner city.
Jul 23, 2022, 6:22 am
#52
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Originally Posted by HerpaYvr;34450702[color=#000000
] Over night the flight was cancelled and I was moved to UA on a 737 where as a AC SE MM, meant nothing, nothing at all. I had to use their portal to check in which failed, they gave me a middle seat at the back on the plane, I asked for a E+ Aisle seat as there were many available, but noooooo we cant do that![/color]
UA may be cheap at times, but I take the AC experience over the UA experience for real trips. Quick short ball weekend flight, flying UA is like taking a bus in the inner city.
UA may be cheap at times, but I take the AC experience over the UA experience for real trips. Quick short ball weekend flight, flying UA is like taking a bus in the inner city.
Where do you think United top tier sits on AC? At least with United you get free seat selection, with AC you get to wait till checkin.....
As for the "experience", I'd rather take an airline that is not delayed 72% of the time.....
Since New York was brought up. Here is LGA. What point is it having all this frequency, when none of the flights are on time (my favourite is the 3am redeye last night)
EWR was 3 delayed/3 cancelled. (United YYZ-EWR was 3/4 on time before people start blaming YYZ)
Jul 23, 2022, 6:26 am
#53
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Its really a crapshoot on when mainline gets put on the schedule.
But if this agreement leads to more United mainline flights to Canada - then its a positive, not outweighting the inevitable price-fixing and collusion but still ....
Jul 23, 2022, 6:30 am
#54
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YLW
Programs: AC- SE100 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, National Executive, Nexus/GE
Posts: 4,309
So in summary, your AC flight was cancelled (surprise!), and you got exactly what you are entitled to on United. Why didnt you insist rebooking on AC?
Where do you think United top tier sits on AC? At least with United you get free seat selection, with AC you get to wait till checkin.....
As for the "experience", I'd rather take an airline that is not delayed 72% of the time.....
Since New York was brought up. Here is LGA. What point is it having all this frequency, when none of the flights are on time (my favourite is the 3am redeye last night)
EWR was 3 delayed/3 cancelled. (United YYZ-EWR was 3/4 on time before people start blaming YYZ)
Where do you think United top tier sits on AC? At least with United you get free seat selection, with AC you get to wait till checkin.....
As for the "experience", I'd rather take an airline that is not delayed 72% of the time.....
Since New York was brought up. Here is LGA. What point is it having all this frequency, when none of the flights are on time (my favourite is the 3am redeye last night)
EWR was 3 delayed/3 cancelled. (United YYZ-EWR was 3/4 on time before people start blaming YYZ)
Ya I needed to get home that day. The YVR-YOW cost more so I dip through the US often to save money and points as you can do this with both Revenue and point bookings (not starting any issues here). Denver seems to work nicely for YVR/YYC flights so going through DEN was to save money. I just missed the delayed DEN-YYZ flight as I was in the wrong terminal and then my DEN-YYZ flight was delayed by an hour. I do not mind Denver as it's not too far south and the club lounge I enjoy.
Jul 23, 2022, 6:41 am
#55
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Ya I needed to get home that day. The YVR-YOW cost more so I dip through the US often to save money and points as you can do this with both Revenue and point bookings (not starting any issues here). Denver seems to work nicely for YVR/YYC flights so going through DEN was to save money. I just missed the delayed DEN-YYZ flight as I was in the wrong terminal and then my DEN-YYZ flight was delayed by an hour. I do not mind Denver as it's not too far south and the club lounge I enjoy.
Jul 23, 2022, 7:22 am
#56
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 5,728
...though my track record is around 80-90% for getting free E+ seats on domestic UA flights, simply by asking politely.
Jul 23, 2022, 8:57 am
#57
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Canada
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AC used to be in the other terminal (T2). At that time the UA lunge was pretty abysmal. Now, as you point out, no lounge, a very long walk, and an overcrowded dirty gate area. On the plus side, the redesigned security area is very quick (even pre-Covid), particularly with Nexus. When I walk by security for T2 there’s always a long line.
Jul 23, 2022, 9:48 am
#58
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Hence the speculation in this thread - AC claims a more even and seamless experience, so maybe, just maybe AC and UA will start treating each other's Elites well through some form of reciprocity. If not, this is just a bunch of hot air.
Jul 23, 2022, 10:23 am
#59
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Eight busiest in passenger flights is far removed from being eight busiest in number of passengers flown. The number of passenger seats on my NYC-YYZ planes seem to be way down on average than what they used to be back around when LAN did the route too and even before LAN. But it could well be that at times my flights were unrepresentative of the overall picture for what kind of planes were flying the city pair.
The real problem in air travel is the incredibly balkanized market driven by nationalist views in so many countries that air travel is somehow sacred and must be protected from foreign ownership. Because airlines are unable to merge across many borders, the only way for airlines to create global travel experiences is to develop interline agreements, JVs, and other forms of partnership.
You can argue that there's not enough competition in the Canadian market or the TB market, but getting rid of "all of the JVs" is just ridiculous.
Jul 28, 2022, 4:12 pm
#60
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The real problem in air travel is regulatory capture whereby the governments have become airline kiss-ups and grant the kind of waivers and favors that result in more concentrated marketplaces and allow for more price collusion benefits for the favored airlines already in a pretty favorable position against consumers.
If this AC-UA anti-consumer agreement is approved and allowed to be implemented, the balkanization will likely get worse with regard to using program points for the partner airline’s flights; and the mileage ticket prices will skyrocket way more because of this.
If this AC-UA anti-consumer agreement is approved and allowed to be implemented, the balkanization will likely get worse with regard to using program points for the partner airline’s flights; and the mileage ticket prices will skyrocket way more because of this.
Last edited by GUWonder; Jul 28, 2022 at 6:40 pm