Why do Canadians pay so much when it comes to flying?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: CX*G, AF*G; BA, UA
Posts: 90
Why do Canadians pay so much when it comes to flying?
On purpose controversially worded title to highlight a point, not to hurt anyone's feelings...
In europe airline competition connects major airports, return, for probably an average €120 onwards (taxes & fees inclusive). That's not taking into account the likes of Ryanair who can drop that pricepoint substantially.
If one is lucky, connecting through major airports in Canada will set one back minimum $350 return (taxes & fees inclusive) or roughly double the amount paid in Europe.
Yet, the distances are not that different, and while the weather in Canada can sometimes be unforgiving in season, it can do so too in Europe.
Compare the price of flights of roughly 800 miles
YYC-YWG
YYZ-YHZ
LHR-VIE
BRU-MAD
AMS-FCO
etc.
At any given point in time Canadian flights will be at least roughly double the price of European counterparts (in distance) for equivalent booking class/service.
So, is the air thinner above Canada? Do they use old soviet planes that need constant maintenance and are fuel hungry? If not, why do Canadians put up with at least double the prices for similar distance between airports? Do Canadians like to pay double what others in the civilized world pay?
In europe airline competition connects major airports, return, for probably an average €120 onwards (taxes & fees inclusive). That's not taking into account the likes of Ryanair who can drop that pricepoint substantially.
If one is lucky, connecting through major airports in Canada will set one back minimum $350 return (taxes & fees inclusive) or roughly double the amount paid in Europe.
Yet, the distances are not that different, and while the weather in Canada can sometimes be unforgiving in season, it can do so too in Europe.
Compare the price of flights of roughly 800 miles
YYC-YWG
YYZ-YHZ
LHR-VIE
BRU-MAD
AMS-FCO
etc.
At any given point in time Canadian flights will be at least roughly double the price of European counterparts (in distance) for equivalent booking class/service.
So, is the air thinner above Canada? Do they use old soviet planes that need constant maintenance and are fuel hungry? If not, why do Canadians put up with at least double the prices for similar distance between airports? Do Canadians like to pay double what others in the civilized world pay?
Last edited by EmailKid; Dec 6, 2014 at 6:41 pm Reason: controversially worded title, now gone
#3
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
are Canadians "stupid" when it comes to flying?
It is simply because there is a lack of real alternative in Canada. Rail travel is much less developed than it is in Europe. Cities of 60,000 people can be without any rail connection, but in Europe a city that size will have at least one and possibly several railway stations.
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 704
Look at ticket prices in Africa,where the alternative is something like a 3 day,virtually offroad drive,dont think that the users of air travel like the crazy prices,they just prefeer them to a possibly deadly 3 day drive.Realy quite simple.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: CX*G, AF*G; BA, UA
Posts: 90
Then obviously more airlines would be competing for the lucrative margins/inefficiencies and prices would go down? Many low cost airlines have failed just because Canadians keep booking the mostly full and high priced AC and WS flights instead of booking in a cost conscious way. Even WS is still depicted as a low cost airline; blinds me why, but WS is low cost attitude for full cost prices in my book.
I don't think rail has anything to do with it. Most if not all night trains covering long distances have been stopped, and the fast trains are only a real alternative for shorter distances and the longer distances cost much more then flights most of the time.
Comparing Canada to Africa is a start
Probably the best comparison possible is Africa, as India or China or Asia have low cost options in places, often covering for bad roads and train systems.
Totally forgotten about that one, still, an update 2 years later is hopefully not out of order? It probably shows how concerned Canadians are to have more efficient and lower cost options available to them?
I don't think rail has anything to do with it. Most if not all night trains covering long distances have been stopped, and the fast trains are only a real alternative for shorter distances and the longer distances cost much more then flights most of the time.
Comparing Canada to Africa is a start
Probably the best comparison possible is Africa, as India or China or Asia have low cost options in places, often covering for bad roads and train systems.
Totally forgotten about that one, still, an update 2 years later is hopefully not out of order? It probably shows how concerned Canadians are to have more efficient and lower cost options available to them?
#7
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
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Posts: 7,145
Z: You forget that the supply/demand equation is not just about Canada. Investors/Airlines can make more money placing their assets in other markets where they might have monopoly powers, earning higher ROI than being in a price war with Canadian carriers.
#10
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
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Posts: 7,321
are Canadians "stupid" when it comes to flying?
Flight prices have very little to do with distance.
New York to Los Angeles is frequently cheaper than New York to Grand Rapids.
New York to Los Angeles is frequently cheaper than New York to Grand Rapids.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: alberta canada
Programs: BA Gold,, Marriott Plat
Posts: 352
Oh how I agree.
My wife and I have tickets from yyc-yvr-ogg-yyc this week. The yyc-yvr alone cost us both slightly over $1000. And the yvr-ogg-yyc segment is $500.
So for $1500, 2/3 of the cost is for a measly 600 flying km in Canada. Taxes of course make up a good chunk.
Even so, we're going to sit on the beach in Maui after two weeks touring the Christmas markets of Germany.
My wife and I have tickets from yyc-yvr-ogg-yyc this week. The yyc-yvr alone cost us both slightly over $1000. And the yvr-ogg-yyc segment is $500.
So for $1500, 2/3 of the cost is for a measly 600 flying km in Canada. Taxes of course make up a good chunk.
Even so, we're going to sit on the beach in Maui after two weeks touring the Christmas markets of Germany.
#13
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 283
Perhaps part of it is that in Canada, one cannot drive from Calgary to Vancouver in a day. In Europe, I suspect one could drive from London to Dover in the same day. Even if the distances are similar, you have so many more options in Europe.
As mentioned, Canada does not have an efficient and affordable rail system. The buses are also inefficient.
CK.
As mentioned, Canada does not have an efficient and affordable rail system. The buses are also inefficient.
CK.
Last edited by CKA1; Dec 7, 2014 at 7:20 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 704
Perhaps part of it is that in Canada, one cannot drive from Calgary to Vancouver in a day. In Europe, I suspect one could drive from London to Dover in the same day. Even if the distances are similar, you have so many more options in Europe.
As mentioned, Canada does not have an efficient and affordable rail system. The buses are also inefficient.
CK.
As mentioned, Canada does not have an efficient and affordable rail system. The buses are also inefficient.
CK.
And,BTW,the efectiveness of the road system,do not get into the equation,you can generally fly from Oslo to the northh of Norwaw for a hundred bucks,and there are abouth 5 flights a day evrywhere,-AND,I do not think they do it profitless!!!
Last edited by EmailKid; Dec 8, 2014 at 3:47 pm Reason: deleted personal attack
#15
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