I have no connections with that industry however I would imagine a rebrand is less geared towards vacation travelers and more for corporate and commercial. I suspect there is a fair amount of money in being a cargo hub and would imagine there is a lot of competition in that area. Also the rebrand seems to be in part to bring Springbank into umbrella. Perhaps there will be some growth there.
Exactly. Airports are major economic drivers and there is fierce competition for commercial leases, airlines, and capital investment. The Lufthansa engine maintenance facility announcement a couple months ago is a good example.
YYC “won” this opportunity over other western Canadian airports, bringing jobs and investment to Calgary and Alberta.
I understand but when I see someone say that, I’m reminded of this:
Passenger A: I had a bad experience with Air Canada. I’ll never fly AC again; West Jet only from now on.
Passenger B: I had a bad experience with West Jet and will never fly with them again. It’s only Air Canada for me.
I’ve had issues with both but I still use both because I’m not driving to Halifax.
I have never had an experience so bad on either WJ or AC that I would preclude flying with them. I will never fly Flair again though unless I wasn't paying for it and didn't care if / when I arrived at the destination.
I volunteered, doing pet therapy with my dog, for several years at the airport. The WestJet fans all complained about Air Canada and the Air Canada fans all complained about WestJet. From my perspective, it seemed pretty even. We visited people who had issues with both airlines... and the staff who had to deal with them.
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So I've been somebody who has supported WestJet for quite some time, mostly as I really like the international links from Calgary. I pretty much fly WJ whenever I can and only really travel internationally.
I just came back from the Amsterdam - Halifax - Calgary flight, all in 737's, and it was quite disappointing. I felt bad for the dutch tourists on our flights who were getting that as their first experience in Canada.
First of all, in both flights the wifi wasn't working. That's a 7+ hr flight and then a 6.5hr flight (we spent an hour on the tarmac in Halifax). In both cases the FA's said that the Wifi wasn't working on the way out. I get that this happens, but for longer flights it really is unacceptable when you rely on Wifi for your entertainment system.
Secondly, they didn't load specials meals on the AMS - Halifax route, so my son who is a celiac didn't have food.
Finally, two of the FA's on the AMS Halifax flight made it very clear they did not have any desire to be working that flight.
Yikes. That sucks. I'm lucky to not have any special dietary requirements, but I always make sure to have backup entertainment. Its like the wifi on those planes (AC or WJ) are held together with string and hope and maintained by the company that takes care of McDonald's ice cream machines. They almost never work.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amethyst
I volunteered, doing pet therapy with my dog, for several years at the airport. The WestJet fans all complained about Air Canada and the Air Canada fans all complained about WestJet. From my perspective, it seemed pretty even. We visited people who had issues with both airlines... and the staff who had to deal with them.
Two things, first of all your ticket should always be for sale.
My last trip to Cuba was an unmitigated disaster on WJ. It was like watching a toddler drop a ball and every time they went to pick it up ended up kicking it away again.
My last trip to Europe? AC? They found every mistake possible, made it, and then doubled down.
They're all awful.
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My girlfriend is celiac and has learned her lesson with flying on WestJet and looking through things carefully. The first flight we took with them where she thought she had ordered the gluten free meal after going through the booking process online, once we got on and the FA said there weren't any gluten free meals under her name. We figured out that it needed to be called in after.
I think that's false. On regular 737 flights (North America and Central America) they do have gluten free options for purchase (I bought these on the Halifax-YYC portion).
But on the European flights they have nothing for purchase, so you only get what they have.
I find it unbelievable that all Westjet flights have GF options except these few 737 that go to Europe (YYC-Iceland, Halifax-AMS).
Anyways, live and learn with Westjet. Hopefully they can sort out these issues and get back on track.
I wonder if it is a catering issue on the European end, so they just put that blanket "no special meals on 737 flights", but you still see the options on domestic or North America routes.
I think that's false. On regular 737 flights (North America and Central America) they do have gluten free options for purchase (I bought these on the Halifax-YYC portion).
But on the European flights they have nothing for purchase, so you only get what they have.
I find it unbelievable that all Westjet flights have GF options except these few 737 that go to Europe (YYC-Iceland, Halifax-AMS).
Anyways, live and learn with Westjet. Hopefully they can sort out these issues and get back on track.
For purchase on domestic, transborder, Mexico/Caribbean flights yes, but for flights where meals are included (anything trans Atlantic, including Iceland) they do not, I'm fairly certain that they don't even cater the buy-on-board options for trans atlantic flights on 737s
I wonder if it is a catering issue on the European end, so they just put that blanket "no special meals on 737 flights", but you still see the options on domestic or North America routes.
That seems unlikely considering Dublin, Paris, and Barcelona are served by both 787s and 737s, and the 787s will for sure have the special meals available to be ordered.
They are both equally but differently crappy. Just best to not fly ever until its a last resort and then if it is, grin and bear it...... or Dr. Ativan.
I am on the United train here now but that will change I am sure.
That seems unlikely considering Dublin, Paris, and Barcelona are served by both 787s and 737s, and the 787s will for sure have the special meals available to be ordered.
Likely different catering companies for 737's and 787's. It's like that even in Calgary
I mean, that’s fair. But if LAX did manage to improve itself, a good way to bring some attention to it would be a marketing blitz so people won’t purposefully filter it out as a connection.
But It’s not like this rebrand is mutually exclusive of other initiatives; it does coincide with a few projects that are being completed as mentioned in the news release on the YYC website.
People will find anything to complain about though - a lack of golf carts, out-dated looking signs, whatever. Would the budget of this enable YYC to pay for more staff and golf carts to take people places - who knows? But I think the goal is to get people to our airport and patronize the businesses in it.
So is it worth it if it encourages passengers to choose us over other connecting airport, I think so. Is it worth a Rick Bell diatribe? Not really.
Weirdest hill to die on EVAR! Let's see, we can fly into Lethbridge if we are coming from Regina or into Edmonton. Wait, did you see the snazzy new logo on the YYC airport? That's for me. Plus I am going to Calgary!!
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They are both equally but differently crappy. Just best to not fly ever until its a last resort and then if it is, grin and bear it...... or Dr. Ativan.
I am on the United train here now but that will change I am sure.
Uh, dude, catch up. We are talking about AIRPLANES!! We don't need to hear about your fancy choo-choo ridesl
Likely different catering companies for 737's and 787's. It's like that even in Calgary
I worked for WestJet and maybe things have changed recently but they did not have different catering companies for 737 and 787 planes or Q400s. They obviously had different menus and options based on onboard equipment such as ovens but they didn't have different catering companies in Calgary.
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I worked for WestJet and maybe things have changed recently but they did not have different catering companies for 737 and 787 planes or Q400s. They obviously had different menus and options based on onboard equipment such as ovens but they didn't have different catering companies in Calgary.
Cathay does the 87's, Gate Gourmet does the 37's and Q's. Just changed last year but even prior to that it was Cathay and Skycafe, no idea how long.
I worked for a WestJet for a few months last year until I finished flight school and moved
Cathay does the 87's, Gate Gourmet does the 37's and Q's. Just changed last year but even prior to that it was Cathay and Skycafe, no idea how long.
I worked for a WestJet for a few months last year until I finished flight school and moved
First I'm hearing about Cathay providing food to WestJet. I thought it has been Gate Gourmet for quite a while across all flights out of Canada. I don't remember Skycafe being involved either. They had a partnership with Chopped Leaf at one point and I remember that food being pretty awful.
