Calgary International Airport - New Terminal, Runway, Control Tower

[timun]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Ya, I understand the line system, but there were only maybe 10 cabs. They used to have a cab area between A and B. Maybe I didn't notice these black cars taking up the other spaces, I assumed every other vehicle was private.

The spaces for black cars may have been empty when you were there, but they were almost entirely full when I was there. Literally the only open spot I found from door 1 to door 11 was a spot reserved for black cars around door 6, which as I wrote earlier quickly drew the ire of the black car in behind me.

I despise people who double-park, but I was honestly considering it. Not my fault that I followed all the procedures they put in place for picking up passengers only to get ####ed over when I pulled up in front of the terminal.

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

They don’t make money off regular pickup so they won’t devote much space to it.

Oh, absolutely. It's all about extracting as much money from people as possible. The new cell phone lot is even further away from the terminal and even crappier in its construction than the old one. By my count there're about 42 spots along the curb for passenger pickup, and only 10-11 are for "civilians" to use. About 13 are for black cars, the other 18-19 are for taxis. (not counting the space before door 1, which is used for oodles of taxis)

[Locke]

Yeah the renos to the Airport appear to have made it worse.

Is this just temporary until they're all done? Because this seems like steps backwards.

[Table 5]

This is the airport authority that didn't install even water fountains for passengers in their new terminal, so they'll go buy the water instead. You want them to give consideration to non-paying pickups? Pffft.

[Weitz]

Is there really no spots in P1 for this weekend? I can’t seem to book online. Or do they only not wanting to offer the online discount?

[InglewoodFan]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Is there really no spots in P1 for this weekend? I can’t seem to book online. Or do they only not wanting to offer the online discount?

Same here, we are flying out tomorrow and I've been trying for a week to get a booking for P1 to no avail. Parked at P2 last week no problem.

[Bigtime]

WestJet is shaking things up:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1537496404561514497

https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/news/2...ter%3A20220616

Through the strategic review, the airline looked to historical strengths to secure future success, honing in on a focused network and strategy; an unrelenting cost commitment; and a consistent, superior guest experience.

To build upon the reasons why guests choose WestJet and drive future growth, WestJet will renew its focus on:

Growth as a low-cost carrier that is friendly, reliable and modern
Shifting resources to significantly grow its presence and network in the West, fostering its undisputed status as the home-team carrier of Western Canada offering more direct, non-stop flights to communities
Investing further in leisure and sun flying as a priority across Canada, including through the acquisition of Sunwing, following regulatory approval
Investing in technology and radical digitalization to improve guest experience and simplify internal processes to ensure meaningful and engaging jobs for its people
Redoubling efforts to maintain its successful and highly productive low-cost structure and culture, to ensure relentless competitiveness and affordability for guests

To match its commercial strategies, the airline will centre its existing widebody 787 Dreamliner fleet around Western Canada and, for the time being, pause further investment into incremental Dreamliners to focus instead on additional narrowbody growth. In addition to the more than 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that the airline will receive over the coming years, including 15 in 2022 alone, WestJet is working towards a substantial additional narrow body order.

The airline will maintain its current premium offerings, with a focus on strengthening its premium leisure segment and corporate premium in the West. The focus of WestJet’s regional fleet of De Haviland Q400 aircraft will be shifted and rightsized to focus on Western Canada, removing complexity from operations, and prioritizing the airline’s commitment to enhance Western Canada’s connectivity.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by InglewoodFan

Same here, we are flying out tomorrow and I've been trying for a week to get a booking for P1 to no avail. Parked at P2 last week no problem.

Wife called and apparently there is sub 100 spaces and mostly on the roof if you are curious.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

WestJet is shaking things up:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1537496404561514497

https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/news/2...ter%3A20220616

As a 787 pilot my buddy will be bummed to hear this. IIRC they have 6 airframes on site and 4 more on order, I guess that means they pause them at 10??? They only flew LGW and BCN out of YYZ as far as international flying so not much of a change.

On the hopeful side maybe this means more widebody service for YEG (but I doubt it) and some additional routes for YYC. Hopefully not more Dash 8s replacing 737's on shorter routes.

[Bigtime]

Word is they will take the remaining 4 789 frames on order, with this news it seems like they will refocus in the west and build up "Fortress YYC", sorry Edmonton. Maybe they get a scrap like YEG-LGW, but I'd guess YYC gets the bulk of 787 flying and maybe some YVR?

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Word is they will take the remaining 4 789 frames on order, with this news it seems like they will refocus in the west and build up "Fortress YYC", sorry Edmonton. Maybe they get a scrap like YEG-LGW, but I'd guess YYC gets the bulk of 787 flying and maybe some YVR?

That's my guess too. With YYZ seeing some 787 on a few domestic runs from YYC and YVR.

[Ryan Coke]

At 6 787’s right now, will likely take #7, but that will be it. There are contractual outs by delays in delivery that will be exercised for the other 3.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

At 6 787’s right now, will likely take #7, but that will be it. There are contractual outs by delays in delivery that will be exercised for the other 3.

Thanks for confirming, too bad we'll only see the fleet at 7 for now.

[Weitz]

How is the WestJet Dreamliner? We booked business class to Ireland this fall, looking forward to it.

[Brendone]

Originally Posted by Weitz

How is the WestJet Dreamliner? We booked business class to Ireland this fall, looking forward to it.

We were in a Dreamliner premium to Dominican in April. Nice plane. Premium class service was good, meals we decent. Was expecting a bit better seat cushion when it hadn’t been compressed by 1000’s of butts, but seems they come pre compressed from the factory. No in seat entertainment systems but “free” access via Westjet app on your personal tablet. Seats had USB outlets (120v as well I think). Seat recline was pretty violent for some reason.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Brendone

We were in a Dreamliner premium to Dominican in April. Nice plane. Premium class service was good, meals we decent. Was expecting a bit better seat cushion when it hadn’t been compressed by 1000’s of butts, but seems they come pre compressed from the factory. No in seat entertainment systems but “free” access via Westjet app on your personal tablet. Seats had USB outlets (120v as well I think). Seat recline was pretty violent for some reason.

Don't think you were on the Dreamliner, seatback entertainment is on all seats on them. Maybe you were on a 737 MAX?

[Brendone]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Don't think you were on the Dreamliner, seatback entertainment is on all seats on them. Maybe you were on a 737 MAX?

Your right, sorry. Getting flights confused. We’ll be on a 787-9 in October. Think that’s the Dreamliner, so I guess I have the same questions re: business class

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Don't think you were on the Dreamliner, seatback entertainment is on all seats on them. Maybe you were on a 737 MAX?

That’s good to hear. Usually the wife and I watch something on the iPad together with Bluetooth. But can’t do that on this trip. Glad we don’t have to bring 2.

[timun]

No in-flight entertainment and an uncomfortable, rock-hard seat sounds like a Westjet 737...

I'm not a frequent flyer but I've grown to despise the 737s, especially Westjet's. Unless it's a screaming deal or a destination not served by another carrier, I'll fly with just about anyone else, on any other plane.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Weitz

How is the WestJet Dreamliner? We booked business class to Ireland this fall, looking forward to it.

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Don't think you were on the Dreamliner, seatback entertainment is on all seats on them. Maybe you were on a 737 MAX?

I took the Dreamliner to Paris recently and it was actually a pretty decent experience. In-flight options were pretty good, comfy seats, etc.

For a 9 hour flight it was pretty good, and that was in 'Scum Class' so even anything better than where they herd the cattle at the back would be nicer.

I got the middle seat, in the middle row in Scum class so pretty much the worst seat humanly possible for 9 hours and my 'urge to kill' remained at workable levels, so its a pretty nice plane.

[calgarygeologist]

We have been flying almost exclusively with Westjet over the past few years so I haven't really paid much attention to other carriers in and out of Calgary so I'm curious to know when Air Canada stopped flying from YYC to LAS? I was looking up flights and the prices seemed pretty high so I started looking for other options and there is no direct alternative. What a shame.