The WestJet 737 MAX 8 thread
Mar 13, 2019, 10:56 am
#17
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: Marriott Titanium, AC E50, National Exec
Posts: 516
It's official now:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/gar...rash-1.5054234
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/gar...rash-1.5054234
Mar 13, 2019, 12:13 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The World
Programs: WS Platinum, Marriott Titanium, DL Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 1,478
At this point with spring break traffic, I would say the ability to provide alternative carrier options will be limited and probably be mainly used to return guests/passengers to their point of origin. Between WestJet, Air Canada and Sunwing about 20,000 seats per day have been removed from the market, I would only expect about half of those could be absorbed and the rest will probably have to make do with a refund, hopefully those people can cover other out-of-pocket costs from insurance.
I expect that that many passengers won’t realize how difficult this will be. I’m sure many will assume that WestJet can easily swap in other aircraft — not understanding the situation. Lots of vacations will be disrupted by this.
And I’m equally sure that some who find their vacation plans ruined or altered will expect WS to compensate them ... because, well, a ridiculous number of WestJet guests, IMHO, think of an airline as a nanny service as much as a transportation provider.
Hopefully travel insurance will will cover costs here — but, face it, the infrequent leisure travellers who will be hardest hit over the next few weeks are the least likely to buy anything beyond travel medical coverage. I doubt many in that segment even consider springing for delay/cancellation insurance.
And - back to our earlier thread about WestJet and irrops - this is going to be tough for WS to pull off effectively, and customer experience will be strained. While others like AC and UA have slick customer-facing tech for rebooking, for WS (unless something’s changed) it’s gonna fall 100% on the call center. Watch out for high volumes, loooong calls, and insane on-hold times. Yikes.
Mar 13, 2019, 1:29 pm
#19
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: No single airline or hotel chain is of much use to me anymore.
Posts: 3,279
I have to wonder if routes like YHM, YXX, SNA, AZA and one of MIA or FLL will feel the pain as flights are consolidated and aircraft reallocated.
Oh well, at least I'm not the one figuring out how I'm getting home from Maui on Friday.
Oh well, at least I'm not the one figuring out how I'm getting home from Maui on Friday.
Mar 13, 2019, 1:49 pm
#20
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
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This is really unfortunate timing for me with the grounding of the 737s. Does anyone here know if WS6943 (Delta operated) and WS1699 will be affected? I see no indication that it has, but I don’t want to be surprised at the airport. If necessary, I’ll need to make arrangements to go home.
Mar 13, 2019, 1:54 pm
#21
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What’s TATL?
Mar 13, 2019, 1:55 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The World
Programs: WS Platinum, Marriott Titanium, DL Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 1,478
This is really unfortunate timing for me with the grounding of the 737s. Does anyone here know if WS6943 (Delta operated) and WS1699 will be affected? I see no indication that it has, but I don’t want to be surprised at the airport. If necessary, I’ll need to make arrangements to go home.
Only the MAX8 and MAX9 are grounded ... although there will likely be shuffling of the schedule over the coming days.
Mar 13, 2019, 2:02 pm
#24
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Thanks!
Mar 13, 2019, 2:09 pm
#25
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Nothing, AC Something, AS Gold. Too big for 737Max washrooms
Posts: 893
You might get stranded in Maui.....The Horror....The Horror
Mar 13, 2019, 2:12 pm
#26
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Mar 13, 2019, 6:25 pm
#30
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,451
Very happy family friends who were on a 7M8 YEG-CUN on 24th Mar. and back on 31st Mar. found they were flying a 738 within hours of the announcement this morning. Same flight numbers, same flight times so just an aircraft substitution. They were very 