YVR-NYC best codeshare experience?
 

I may have to fly YVR-NYC soon, and the routes look like codeshares on unfamiliar carriers. I have a choice between:

YVR-YYZ on WestJet and YYZ-JFK on RJ
YVR-MSP, MSP-JFK both on RJs
YVR-MSP on an RJ, MSP-LGA on mainline

Do any of these RJs have F? What is the Westjet experience like for a DL Gold flier and will I get my MQMs?

Thanks.

Delta Connection CR7, CR9, E70 and E75 will have F cabins; CRJ (code for CRJ-50/100/200) will not.

WestJet should have TV on their aircraft (similar to the DL AVOD options) - on DL there will be no AVOD on RJs and if the LGA flight is an A319/20 (as they usually are), no dice there either. The saving grace here is GoGo which has been installed on many RJ aircraft - no promises it would be available though. Upgrade chances would only be on DL and those length of routes (via MSP) would have first class cabins. Not sure of upgrade chances though....

One other thing to consider - (I believe) you would have to go through US Immigration halfway though your trip in YYZ, versus flying via MSP where you would just go through at the beginning of your trip.

If the RJs are the E175 variety they have a great F to Y ratio and, depending on dates and times have a good upgrade change.

Every time I go to YVR (via DL), they usually route me through LAX on AS, which has a nice F product to be upgraded to (although Terminal 3 at LAX is pathetic, but if you give yourself enough time, you can run over to In-N-Out as you move from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3). Oh, and you won't deal with U.S. or Canadian immigration until you get to YVR.

In-N-Out makes it all worth it. ;)

What about AS YVR-SEA and DL SEA-JFK? As a GM, depending on day/time you may have a decent chance at the SEA-JFK upgrade.

The new codeshare with WestJet offers connections via YVR.

You earn miles on WS, but no one has yet confirmed if you earn MQMs - the codeshare was just announced last week. I am guessing you would, but I have not seen that confirmed in writing.

WS is one-class a la JetBlue. There is satellite TV with individual screens at every seat - some services/channels are free, some have a charge. There is buy onboard on WestJet and it's not bad - they actually have fresh sandwiches and fresh items as well as some dry snacks, and of course the complimentary peanuts or cookies. There are some very nice exit row seats on some of the 737 aircraft - you have to pay ahead of time for seat selection on WS and there is no discount for DL Elites as of yet - hopefully this is something they can look at in the future but it would obviously require technology updates and take more time.

WS is known for being friendly, reliable and having great staff. They typically will always do "the right thing" during IROPS. Of course, YMMV, but on the whole they are a quality carrier. The lack of F cabin and free preferred seating is a weak spot though if you're used to DL.

As a result, I'd probably go with DL YVR-MSP-NYC, or even YVR-SLC-NYC. The YVR-SLC flights are on a CR7 or E75 - both with F cabin now.

YVR-MSP is usually on an Embraer which has a good sized cabin and feels like a real aircraft rather than an RJ - in fact I love the Embraers and they are very comfortable ride. They have a generous F cabin, 12 vs 64 Y so good upgrade chances too.

Of course, if comfort is the key, you'd want to fly on the 777 with Cathay Pacific YVR-NYC (red-eye).

My non-rev friend routinely flies EWR - ATL/MSP - YVR. Seems like availability is better out of EWR (the ATL/JFK non-rev express does not connect in time to the YVR flight). Try EWR if you can tolerate New Jersey.

Note: I would probably do the Cathay flight for comfort. It's one of two routes on which I am not loyal to Delta.

I live in Queens. EWR is a hardship. I've done it, but I'll avoid it if at all possible. Also, the Cathay flight is out because I'm trying, at least in this phase of the plan, to leave YVR early AM.

The AS YVR-SEA option looks compelling because then the long leg is on DL mainline ... wonder why that didn't pop on DL's Web site? AS to LAX seems to make the trip quite a bit longer.

Thanks!

But you earn more miles.... ;)

Isn't that really what it's all about?

Why not take the nonstop on a 773 with Cathay Pacific? This is by far the best way to get to New York City from Vancouver. You can put the miles in your AA account if you don't collect with AsiaMiles.

I fly AA so little, that account is basically a magazine subscriptions fund. But the real reason is I'm trying for an early AM departure from YVR, and the CX flight is a red-eye.

I wonder whether you could get the CX flight as an AA codeshare and credit to AS.

I haven't flown it in a while, but YVR-MSP used to be a tough upgrade on NW mainline. I once saw a PE sit in back on a full Y, apparently purchased just after the PE window.

Another item to note about Westjet is that their minimum seat pitch is 32 inches compared to 31 (sometimes 30) on DL. If you get on the 737-800 WS aircraft, the pitch goes to 34 inches.

Havent yet heard about MQM credit - perhaps DL Insider could comment.