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-   -   Westjet launches YYC-CDG, YYC-DUB, upgauges YYC-LGW (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/westjet-westjet-rewards/1934816-westjet-launches-yyc-cdg-yyc-dub-upgauges-yyc-lgw.html)

keitherson Oct 10, 2018 1:12 am
Westjet launches YYC-CDG, YYC-DUB, upgauges YYC-LGW
 
WestJet this week (around Tuesday 09OCT18) filed planned Boeing 787-9 international service, scheduled to enter long-haul routes from late-April 2019. The configuration of the 787-9 is J16W28Y260, based on seat map graphics in the GDS. The arrival of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner also sees the airline launching new nonstop European flights from Calgary.

Reservation for these Boeing 787-9 service will be available as early as Wednesday local time in Calgary.

eff 28APR19 Calgary – London Gatwick
WS001 YYC1920 – 1100+1LGW 789 267
WS001 YYC1945 – 1125+1LGW 789 x267

WS002 LGW1300- 1510YYC 789 1
WS002 LGW1330 – 1540YYC 789 x15
WS002 LGW1350 – 1600YYC 789 5

eff 17MAY19 Calgary – Paris CDG (New route, 3 weekly; 4 weekly from 03JUN19 to 08SEP19)
WS010 YYC1920 – 1210+1CDG 789 x236
WS009 CDG1410 – 1530YYC 789 x347

eff 01JUN19 Calgary – Dublin (New route, 3 weekly; 2 weekly from 11SEP19)
WS006 YYC2045 – 1138+1DUB 789 367
WS005 DUB1345 – 1505YYC 789 147

Additional Boeing 787-9 operating service, including domestic routes, is expected to be filed and available for reservation in the next few weeks.
h/t routesonline

first 787 routes are filed

Error 601 Oct 10, 2018 2:32 am
I will definitely use YYC-CDG.

JetFuelBlood Oct 10, 2018 5:03 am
I wonder what the freed-up 767 will do?

Buzz Lightyear Oct 10, 2018 5:28 am
Originally Posted by JetFuelBlood (Post 30298929)
I wonder what the freed-up 767 will do?
Word from my WS neighbour is a 767 will do YYZ and south, ie MCO, FLL, CUN, PUJ, etc.

Whether true rue or not we’ll find out in the next weeks I should think.

YYCCL3 Oct 10, 2018 5:36 am
What I wanna know is - when is the inaugural YYC-YYZ flight going to be! Wonder if there's any chance that will be announced at this morning's media event.

smallmj Oct 10, 2018 6:44 am
I wonder YYC-CDG will affect the YHZ-CDG flight. It ran YYC-YHZ-CDG IIRC. I don't know how much of the TATL traffic came from the west

Sopwith Oct 10, 2018 9:03 am
Has WS forsaken YVR?

Originally Posted by Error 601 (Post 30298696)
I will definitely use YYC-CDG.
Last time I was in CDG they had a bomb scare - found a piece of unattended luggage so they cleared out the whole section of the terminal. Security guy said this happens all the time. They opened up after ~45 minutes, we made our flight and it was on time, so I guess they have the procedure down pretty well. Can you imagine if this happened in YYC?

llcooljayce Oct 10, 2018 9:27 am
Originally Posted by Sopwith (Post 30299651)
Has WS forsaken YVR?



Last time I was in CDG they had a bomb scare - found a piece of unattended luggage so they cleared out the whole section of the terminal. Security guy said this happens all the time. They opened up after ~45 minutes, we made our flight and it was on time, so I guess they have the procedure down pretty well. Can you imagine if this happened in YYC?
Ummmm ... okay ... totally not a weird comment

TuxTom Oct 10, 2018 9:49 am
Hmm, a JV with DL, a new route to CDG and an existing KLM flight to/from AMS at YYC. Perhaps a new Skyteam member in the making?

CanuckFlyHigh Oct 10, 2018 10:01 am
HAHA. YYC-CDG, $12,000 for business class return.

That being said, I can find some fares to London for about $6000 return. Do you think we can use our 2 for 1 certificates??

zappy312 Oct 10, 2018 10:07 am
Originally Posted by CanuckFlyHigh (Post 30299918)
HAHA. YYC-CDG, $12,000 for business class return.

That being said, I can find some fares to London for about $6000 return. Do you think we can use our 2 for 1 certificates??
For the WJ WE MC, the companion voucher only applies to Economy or Premium, not Business.

Sunny Day Oct 10, 2018 10:37 am
Will WJ provide complementary upgrade to Business class on these routes for WJ Gold members flying on Econo Flex fare (if there is an empty seat at departure)?

keitherson Oct 10, 2018 10:39 am
Originally Posted by Sunny Day (Post 30300074)
Will WJ provide complementary upgrade to Business class on these routes for WJ Gold members flying on Econo Flex fare (if there is an empty seat at departure)?
What do you think?

(The answer is no, not even to Premium Economy)

Heffeh41 Oct 10, 2018 11:05 am
Originally Posted by zappy312 (Post 30299936)
For the WJ WE MC, the companion voucher only applies to Economy or Premium, not Business.
So Business on the 767 is not eligible anymore?

newfbc Oct 10, 2018 11:16 am
Fee for 1st bag, YYC-CDG?

Ron.

nave888 Oct 10, 2018 11:19 am
I'm surprised that LGW will be one of the first routes, especially out of YYC. I assumed the 763s would be used on more "leisure-oriented" flights without J, and the 789s would be used for more "business oriented" flights. YYC-LHR will have both AC and BA next summer, both of which offer big J cabins, strong alliances, lounges, etc (ie. likely more appealing options to business pax).

aerobod Oct 10, 2018 2:46 pm
Originally Posted by nave888 (Post 30300249)
I'm surprised that LGW will be one of the first routes, especially out of YYC. I assumed the 763s would be used on more "leisure-oriented" flights without J, and the 789s would be used for more "business oriented" flights. YYC-LHR will have both AC and BA next summer, both of which offer big J cabins, strong alliances, lounges, etc (ie. likely more appealing options to business pax).
Landing slots pairs for LHR are currently about CDN$30m if they can be obtained by convincing another airline to sell them, so it is unlikely WestJet will want to make that investment, as it will add about $30 to every return ticket price if the slot cost is amortised over 10 years. I think 16 Business class seats are able to be sold for business users who's destination is London, as the Gatwick Express to Victoria has quicker Tube connections to the main business areas in London, than the Heathrow Express to Paddington, and the M23 moves better than the M4 if taking a car or limo into central London.

Error 601 Oct 10, 2018 3:01 pm
I thought they might be a little more aggressive with the business class fares since they ultimately need to shake loose loyal Air Canada premium travelers.

I will never understand the fixation with LHR, there is no force in the universe that would make me by my own free will step foot in there.

pilotboy1985YYC Oct 10, 2018 3:15 pm
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...af1a054b17.png
My tracked flight from LGW to YHZ jumped by 15% after the announcement today. Coincidence?

also, I’m surprised the prices aren’t significantly cheaper than AC for J and PY. Opportunity missed there.

Frequentlander Oct 10, 2018 3:40 pm
Originally Posted by Error 601 (Post 30301155)
I will never understand the fixation with LHR, there is no force in the universe that would make me by my own free will step foot in there.
Absolutely 100% agree.

keitherson Oct 10, 2018 3:44 pm
Originally Posted by nave888 (Post 30300249)
I'm surprised that LGW will be one of the first routes, especially out of YYC. I assumed the 763s would be used on more "leisure-oriented" flights without J, and the 789s would be used for more "business oriented" flights. YYC-LHR will have both AC and BA next summer, both of which offer big J cabins, strong alliances, lounges, etc (ie. likely more appealing options to business pax).
Who do you think WestJet's core market is?

They need leisure destinations that have some business traffic. These Dreamliners are not going to Punta Cana. Dublin, Paris, and London make huge perfect sense. Not to mention feed in Paris from AF, and London being a focus city already. I'd expect Amsterdam to be on the radar.

aerobod Oct 11, 2018 12:02 am
Originally Posted by keitherson (Post 30298585)
WestJet this week (around Tuesday 09OCT18) filed planned Boeing 787-9 international service, scheduled to enter long-haul routes from late-April 2019. The configuration of the 787-9 is J16W28Y260, based on seat map graphics in the GDS. The arrival of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner also sees the airline launching new nonstop European flights from Calgary.
The cabin config for the WestJet seat map will be J16 (4 seats per row, rows 1-4), W28 (7 seats per row, rows 5-8), Y276 (9 seats per row, rows 9-24 & 26-39, 3 seats for rows 25 & 40), total seat capacity 320.

YXUFlyboy Oct 11, 2018 8:17 am
What's most interesting about this announcement is it's not really aggressive at all. WS will still not exceed AC's widebody international traffic at AC's fourth largest hub (YYC) as they are running daily FRA, LHR on 789s or 77L (which run year round) and NRT on 763s up to daily in summer. These routes are still all seasonal (note also AC runs CDG and DUB from YVR seasonally). Presumably LGW goes back to 2x a week or some lesser capacity in winter (WS 1). Where will these birds go in W19?

nave888 Oct 12, 2018 5:41 pm
Originally Posted by keitherson (Post 30301293)
Who do you think WestJet's core market is?

They need leisure destinations that have some business traffic. These Dreamliners are not going to Punta Cana. Dublin, Paris, and London make huge perfect sense. Not to mention feed in Paris from AF, and London being a focus city already. I'd expect Amsterdam to be on the radar.
I think Westjet's core market is leisure pax - with a few business pax thrown in. Flying to Paris, for example, completely makes sense to me - popular tourist spot, no direct competition, business market, etc. Meanwhile with London, they're going to have to compete with AC and BA to lure those business pax, and I see that as a big challenge, especially if J fares match those carriers.

keitherson Oct 13, 2018 11:09 am
Originally Posted by nave888 (Post 30309299)
I think Westjet's core market is leisure pax - with a few business pax thrown in. Flying to Paris, for example, completely makes sense to me - popular tourist spot, no direct competition, business market, etc. Meanwhile with London, they're going to have to compete with AC and BA to lure those business pax, and I see that as a big challenge, especially if J fares match those carriers.
They are already flying to London, Dreamliner or not. Your argument makes no sense. They are already competing with AC and BA and are doing it at a profitable enough level to continue.

Fiordland Oct 14, 2018 1:47 pm
Originally Posted by nave888 (Post 30309299)
I think Westjet's core market is leisure pax - with a few business pax thrown in. Flying to Paris, for example, completely makes sense to me - popular tourist spot, no direct competition, business market, etc. Meanwhile with London, they're going to have to compete with AC and BA to lure those business pax, and I see that as a big challenge, especially if J fares match those carriers.
Paris will to be WS what FRA, is to AC. There is not a lot of local traffic heads from Calgary to these destinations it is all about connecting with partner airlines. AC is connecting into Lufthansa and WS is connecting with Air France.

YYC009 Oct 20, 2018 6:50 am
Originally Posted by YXUFlyboy (Post 30303522)
What's most interesting about this announcement is it's not really aggressive at all. WS will still not exceed AC's widebody international traffic at AC's fourth largest hub (YYC) as they are running daily FRA, LHR on 789s or 77L (which run year round) and NRT on 763s up to daily in summer. These routes are still all seasonal (note also AC runs CDG and DUB from YVR seasonally). Presumably LGW goes back to 2x a week or some lesser capacity in winter (WS 1). Where will these birds go in W19?
We think alike. My thoughts exactly.

I am trying to figure out where the 3 B789's will go from YYC in the winter... can you imagine when there are 10 of them?

My guess is 5x weekly LGW, 2x weekly CDG, 1x weekly DUB, and then a whole bunch of YYC-Hawaii-YVR-Hawaii-YYC rotations. 'cause, yeah, where else do you fly 320-seater aircraft from YYC to in the winter?

YXUFlyboy Oct 20, 2018 9:18 am
Originally Posted by YYC009 (Post 30335873)
We think alike. My thoughts exactly.

I am trying to figure out where the 3 B789's will go from YYC in the winter... can you imagine when there are 10 of them?

My guess is 5x weekly LGW, 2x weekly CDG, 1x weekly DUB, and then a whole bunch of YYC-Hawaii-YVR-Hawaii-YYC rotations. 'cause, yeah, where else do you fly 320-seater aircraft from YYC to in the winter?
They won't base all 10 from YYC. I imagine YYZ gets the next set, then YVR last. I think what happens to the Europe routes in winter depends a lot on how well they do in summer. Reality is though, it doesn't make sense to fly 789s to Hawaii. This is a leisure route that could easily be served ex-YYC using a 7M8 (it has the range and does it now) and YVR can be served and has for years with narrowbody 737NGs. Possible they could shift the 767s back for this from YYZ and shift the 789s to YYZ, but who knows? Depends on so many things including what the DL JV does and what that will sell.

I could see WS 1 remaining daily (LGW) though throughout winter. If they did run them to Hawaii though - sweet, sign me up.

The Lev Oct 20, 2018 2:56 pm
Originally Posted by keitherson (Post 30301293)
Who do you think WestJet's core market is?

They need leisure destinations that have some business traffic. These Dreamliners are not going to Punta Cana. Dublin, Paris, and London make huge perfect sense.
Agree that Paris and London make sense. Dublin - not so sure.

tcook052 Oct 20, 2018 6:05 pm
Originally Posted by The Lev (Post 30337360)
Agree that Paris and London make sense. Dublin - not so sure.
That was my first reaction to DUB but then remembered reading that tourism to Ireland is soaring, especially from N. America, up 8% Jan. - Aug. over previous year.

cedric Oct 20, 2018 9:36 pm
Originally Posted by tcook052 (Post 30337805)
That was my first reaction to DUB but then remembered reading that tourism to Ireland is soaring, especially from N. America, up 8% Jan. - Aug. over previous year.
Is that enough, though? What about business travel.
Tourists would likely be OK to take one stop service.
Why deploy a business-heavy aircraft on a leisure route?

Fiordland Oct 21, 2018 8:43 am
Originally Posted by cedric (Post 30338184)
Is that enough, though? What about business travel.
Tourists would likely be OK to take one stop service.
Why deploy a business-heavy aircraft on a leisure route?
Perhaps because it is an airline that does well with leisure travelers and is still trying to find its way in addressing the needs of business travelers.

Frequentlander Oct 21, 2018 2:44 pm
Originally Posted by tcook052 (Post 30337805)
That was my first reaction to DUB but then remembered reading that tourism to Ireland is soaring, especially from N. America, up 8% Jan. - Aug. over previous year.
There are a significant number of companies that have their European operations headquartered in Ireland for tax reasons so there is a measurable business travel market to DUB.

decerbod Oct 23, 2018 7:35 pm
Anyone know if the business class seats will be bookable with SkyMiles or FlyingBlue? Economy "V" award space is available.

YXUFlyboy Oct 24, 2018 9:32 am
Originally Posted by decerbod (Post 30348840)
Anyone know if the business class seats will be bookable with SkyMiles or FlyingBlue? Economy "V" award space is available.
It's not bookable using WS's own program yet (discounted). I'll be pissed if they release to partners first.

YYCCL3 Nov 16, 2018 9:01 pm
There are some competitive fares next summer YYC-CDG in business, on offer right now.

Sample Jul 26-Aug 17 $3488. That's pretty good for a non stop flight.


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