why fly

before AC worries about FLL perhaps LGA might be a more important MLL.

ALW

Because they're Elite? Paid for lounge membership? Flying J?

It's not like they'd have to build a lounge where no one comes, it would strictly be a pay as they go arrangement. And they'd only be spending the money on the members who are entitled to it.

=aw

ALW

I didn't realize LGA vs FLL was an either/or. And I agree they get more business travellers in LGA, I was suggesting CRC access in FLL not building a lounge.

=aw

ACYYZ/SD

Agreed. If you've been to LGA, the question is where?? There appears to be a lack of available real estate in their current surroundings.

ACYYZ/SD

As a follow up to post #9, you're assuming that DL wasn't approached by AC concurrent with the terminal move. Who's to say that DL even wants them?? There may be staffing and capacity constraints before even pondering corporate considerations.

bocastephen

No Lounge access for AC customers now (outside of day passes and AX Plat cards), but once CO joins *A, I'm sure AC customers with the appropriate *A elite status can use the CO club at FLL, just like we CO folks will be able to use the Maple Leaf Lounge at Canadian airports.

After the alliance shift, expect NW to leave FLL T1 as their DTW/MSP/MEM flights will operate as DL flights from T2. AC will probably move to T1 and take NW's old gates there. I believe CO and AC also signed a codeshare agreement outside of the *A membership.

If I was a betting man, I would gamble that AC will drastically scale down their MIA service and boost their FLL service in its place due to UA's dwindling presence at MIA and FLL's status as a focus city for both CO and US.

I believe most Canadians flying to South Florida have residences or hotel preferences closer to the FLL catchment than MIA as the smarter visitors have moved away from the yuck that is Miami over the years in favor of Broward and southern Palm Beach counties.

ACYYZ/SD

MIA has already been scaled down in recent years. I remember a time where there were multiple daily 747's & L1011's with heaps of extra-section flights in peak season from YYZ/YUL and even triple daily service from YYZ in low season.

YYZ currently has 3 daily narrowbody flights in peak season reduced to 1 daily in low season. YUL only has weekend (SA/SU) service in peak season and no service in low season.

bocastephen

I remember riding on those 747s and L1011s as a child, although my first forays to South Florida were aboard AC DC8s. I think the dawn of low cost charter service (WardAir) and the splintering of Canadian visitors from Miami Beach to other parts of Florida were the demise of the big plane AC service.

why fly

AC was going to put in a lounge as posted on FT, however I'm sure if has not been cut it will be soon... the airline will be busy with Union contract and economy crash.

ACYYZ/SD

As well as increased direct AC access to South America bypassing MIA as a connection gateway. The de-hubbing of UA and its connectivity at MIA was also a factor.

I remember the DC8's too...didn't want to date myself.

why fly

I remember the 727 as we had an aborted landing...

a78jumper

.

In 1999 they used TWA's-what a dump. It was obvious they were not long for this world!

Machdiamond

Your post makes so much sense, I would say you would be making a very safe bet. Especially once AC moves to the new T1 in FLL, right in front of the spanking new rental car facility. And with CO's lounge access next year. Man, now we would be in business...^

ALW

The FLL airport site shows AC in T2 with DL and CO in T1. I guess the only lounge access for a J-flying AC passenger is still a Day Pass from DL (or an Amex Plat card)? The DL access has gone up to $50 now.

Thanks!

=aw

bocastephen

If any folks here have contacts at Air Canada HQ, ask them why they are not moving to T1 at FLL - there is plenty of counter space and they can easily work in gate assignments with CO/VX in the west pier.

Unless Broward Aviation Dep't nixed a terminal move request (which I doubt), I don't see why they are staying in T2...makes no sense.