Big news Feb 7

[ravensrule]

Anyone heard (or want to guess) what the big announcement is going to be tomorrow?

What I heard is that it pertains to the East....

[Tiny Voices]

Monday announcement? Must be good news!

[DaveP]

We are hosting an event in yyz inviting 200 business leaders.
The board and executive will be there to support the quarter and announce some new eastern enhancements.

Cheers.

[LisaS]

I saw Clive and Gregg getting on a plane to yyz tonight.........oh nevermind, it can't be much.


except and explosive quarter!

[invertedattitude]

Interesting...

[mikeecho]

Think "sked enhancements"

[ArcticKat]

Maybe they're announcing new routes to the UAE?

[Main Gear]

Here it is:

WestJet, Delta in interline deal
Last Updated: Monday, February 7, 2011 | 11:09 AM ET Comments0Recommend0
CBC News
Calgary-based WestJet announced Monday it has signed an interline agreement with Delta Air Lines.

The deal allows fliers on WestJet and Delta flights to purchase connecting flights on one ticket, receive boarding passes for all segments at their first check-in, and tag bags through to their final destination.

A Westjet Airlines planes at Calgary Airport in 2010. WestJet has announced an interline deal with Delta Air Lines. (Larry MacDougal/Canadian Press)
The agreement takes effect immediately at more than 25 airports in Canada and the United States.

"This news today demonstrates that we continue to deliver on our strategic plan to establish partnerships with airlines from around the world," said WestJet executive vice president Hugh Dunleavy.

"Delta is an established, worldwide airline, and this interline agreement will open yet another channel for guests from around the globe to connect to WestJet's network."

WestJet already has interline agreements with American Airlines, British Airways, Air France/KLM and China Airlines.

WestJet has said it aims to turn these interline agreements into full code-sharing partnerships, where each airline sells seats on the other's flights and shares the revenue. It already has a code-sharing relationship with Cathay Pacific.

WestJet shares were up 20 cents, or 1.5 per cent, to $13.40 in morning trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange Monday.



Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2011/02/0 ... z1DI6dbQD3

[hnl]

[matrix]

News Releases

WestJet announces expanded eastern triangle service

Airline unveils improved schedule for business travellers backed by new service promise

CALGARY, Feb. 7 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced details of an initiative aimed to better serve the needs of business travellers flying between Toronto and Montreal as well as Toronto and Ottawa.

"This initiative demonstrates our commitment to offer the business traveller what they need in this important market," said Bob Cummings, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Sales, Marketing and Guest Experience. "We're building on our great service, offering new features and conveniences that make WestJet a compelling and relevant choice for our guests travelling on business. This announcement is the springboard for other strategic initiatives that are planned to improve the value we provide for business travellers."

Beginning May 2, 2011, WestJet will offer 10 flights each business day between Toronto and Montreal and nine flights each business day between Toronto and Ottawa. Flights will be offered at peak business times and depart from dedicated easy-access gates at these airports.

Details of WestJet's eastern triangle service are as follows. All times are EDT.

<<
---------------------------------------------
Toronto-Montreal Montreal-Toronto
departure times departure times
---------------------------------------------
7 a.m. 7 a.m.
8 a.m. 8 a.m.
9 a.m. 9 a.m.
12 p.m. 12 p.m.
2 p.m. 2 p.m.
4 p.m. 4 p.m.
5 p.m. 5 p.m.
6 p.m. 6 p.m.
7:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
10:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m.
---------------------------------------------


---------------------------------------------
Toronto-Ottawa Ottawa-Toronto
departure times departure times
---------------------------------------------
7 a.m. 7 a.m.
8 a.m. 8 a.m.
9 a.m. 9:30 a.m.
12 p.m. 12 p.m.
2 p.m. 2 p.m.
4 p.m. 4 p.m.
5:30 p.m. 5 p.m.
6:30 p.m. 6 p.m.
10:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
---------------------------------------------
>>
WestJet will also introduce new conveniences for guests travelling on these flights, including no fees to take an earlier or later flight on the same day and complementary wine and beer on board. Also, guests who join WestJet's Frequent Guest Program will receive 25 bonus WestJet dollars for every three one-way flights flown in the triangle between May and August.

In addition, a new service promise will see guests travelling on these routes offered 50 per cent off their next Toronto-Montreal or Toronto-Ottawa flight if their aircraft is delayed by more than 30 minutes. If a guest's flight is cancelled and they cannot travel at the new time, they will receive full credit for the cost of their ticket plus 50 per cent off their next Toronto-Montreal or Toronto-Ottawa flight.

"Our low cost structure allows us to comfortably price the triangle at considerably lower levels throughout the fare structure," continued Bob Cummings. "This enhanced value proposition combined with our strong Frequent Guest Program and WestJet RBC World MasterCard program, will respond to the needs of business travellers. Our WestJetters are looking forward to earning a significant amount of the business travel market in the triangle."

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's favourite airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 71-city North American and Caribbean network. Inducted into Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame and named one of Canada's best employers, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 93 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 42 aircraft through 2017, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

<<
Connect with WestJet on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/westjet
Follow WestJet on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/westjet
Subscribe to WestJet on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/westjet
>>
For further information: Media contact: Robert Palmer, Media Relations, telephone: 1-888-WJ-4-NEWS (1-888-954-6397), email: media@westjet.com

[ravensrule]

This is definitely more exciting than the Delta announcement...

Although, it seems that PD and AC roll back flights during the summer... hmmm

[invertedattitude]

Well that leaves porter further breathing room to expand out east this summer.

And less Westjet flights for the rest of the country I assume?

[CaptainHaddock]

I wonder how many aircraft and crews would be required to dedicate to this new service-I suppose there will be some freed up from the destination winter flying.

[LisaS]

The crews from the Toronto base will be taking care of this new flying.

[cyeg66]

The triangle is again fast becoming an overserviced and over-emphasized slaughterhouse. May the best, uhhhh correction, may the airline with deep(er) pockets win....

[GRK]

Just a quick question regarding this great new plan to expand into "The Triangle"...as the previous poster mentioned, it's long been a tough place to steal market share, and it's no secret that the deeper the pockets of your competition, the longer the money draining fight will last...keeping this in mind, doesn't it worry you that your new bright and shiny Mr Saretsky is simply trying an old tired tactic that his previous company tried and failed to do? All due respect to those from CP/CAIL, but do you remember ATTACHE, and a few others that the old guard dreamt up to try to steal revenue from big red? This should be fun to watch, my experience working with these ex CP/CAIL bright lights is that they have a hell of a time letting go of the halcyon days of the old airline...and those who fail to learn from history...you know the rest! It's a potential cash burner to say the least...

[yycflyguy]

The triangle is again fast becoming an overserviced and over-emphasized slaughterhouse. May the best, uhhhh correction, may the airline with deep(er) pockets win....

Seems to be a response to ACs plans to operate the Q400 out of YTZ and drive Porter out of the market. If it happens, there will only be 2 left standing in the triangle and WS will already be positioned to capitalize on vacant market. Stay out of it and let the other two shoot it out and pick up the extra flying when it is all over. Smart move methinks.

[whiteguy]

Just a quick question regarding this great new plan to expand into "The Triangle"...as the previous poster mentioned, it's long been a tough place to steal market share, and it's no secret that the deeper the pockets of your competition, the longer the money draining fight will last...keeping this in mind, doesn't it worry you that your new bright and shiny Mr Saretsky is simply trying an old tired tactic that his previous company tried and failed to do? All due respect to those from CP/CAIL, but do you remember ATTACHE, and a few others that the old guard dreamt up to try to steal revenue from big red? This should be fun to watch, my experience working with these ex CP/CAIL bright lights is that they have a hell of a time letting go of the halcyon days of the old airline...and those who fail to learn from history...you know the rest! It's a potential cash burner to say the least...

I think you have to look at the WJs "younger" work force though, half of them probably have no idea who CP/CAIL were, or the history behind them, and think this is some new service that WJ thought up all by themselves! Personally I think GS is taking them down the wrong road and seems more intent on competing head to head with AC. Look at the wet lease of B757s to Hawaii, was there really a need for that? Why not stick with what works.

[invertedattitude]

As a long time industry follower, and aviation geek... and ALSO as someone with a vested interest in this next statement being wrong I will say,

In my honest opinion this is one of the stupidest moves any airline has made in Canada in the last ten years.

Everyone at WestJet sat back for years and laughed at how Air Canada drove themselves into bankruptcy time and time again by trying to steal WestJet's market share.

Now WestJet is going to try and do the same??? Seriously, history DOES repeat itself, and looks like it's happening all over again.

WestJet got so large and successful by tapping under serviced or non existent markets, there still are lots of those potential routes around the country.

Someone needs to smack the head honcho on the side of the head "YOU CAN'T KILL AIR CANADA"

The government is going to save them everytime, NO MATTER WHAT... return to what has worked for WestJet for almost 15 years now, and stop trying to pretend to be a big legacy player....

[Tiny Tyke]

As a pilot who has deadheaded back and forth from YYZ-YUL and back I have often wondered why WJ didn't have more flights on that route. I think they currently have 4 per day..? 9 seems about right. They can always change their mind if it's not working. Not the end of the world for WJ.

[yycflyguy]

Everyone at WestJet sat back for years and laughed at how Air Canada drove themselves into bankruptcy time and time again by trying to steal WestJet's market share.

Can you explain how you think that Air Canada ended up in CCAA as a result of trying to "steal" Westjet market share?

This isn't about WS trying to take on AC directly. The Porter v AC fight will not end well for Porter. WS will be there to scoop the newly available market share without having to take either one on.

[cyeg66]

This isn't about WS trying to take on AC directly. The Porter v AC fight will not end well for Porter.

Sorta my point. I think Deluce was deluded in thinking he could successfully establish Porter in the slaughterhouse and come out unscaved. Let the funeral arrangements commence. As for matching seats to demand (esp. business), unless there's more suits flying between the capital of Canada, the capital of Quebec ( ), and the center of the universe than there are in the rest of Canada combined, then I'm convinced there's a lot of half-filled, low-yielding flights happening over there. Oh well, to each their own... Good luck everyone.

[LisaS]

Your first mistake is compairing WestJet to Canadi<n.

[FOX69]

Inverted, your statement is incorrect.

Everyone at WestJet sat back for years and laughed at how Air Canada drove themselves into bankruptcy time and time again by trying to steal WestJet's market share.

I think you meant to say "Executives at WestJet identified a weakness in our main competitor. Most people at Westjet worked very hard to captitalize on the situation by expanding WJ market share and increasing brand recognition during a time of uncertainty at Air Canada."

And

"

WestJet got so large and successful by tapping under serviced or non existent markets, there still are lots of those potential routes around the country.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but YYC-YVR, YYC-YEG, YEG-YVR, YYC-YWG... (you get the picture) were neither under served nor non existent in the mid 90's. In western Canada, we had progressed quite nicely beyond the era of the stage coach and steam train by then.

There are plenty of matters on which to question our Exec team, however, it has yet to be seen if increased flying in the triangle is one of them. You can rest assured that they are well aware of the history. Bottom line is that high frequency in the triangle is required in order to seriously pursue the Canadian business traveller.

Long time industry observer? Please try to pay more attention.

PS

return to what has worked for WestJet for almost 15 years now, and stop trying to pretend to be a big legacy player....

We would never attempt to do that. It requires pissed off employees and a boat load of debt.

[Clint23]

Just a quick question regarding this great new plan to expand into "The Triangle"...as the previous poster mentioned, it's long been a tough place to steal market share, and it's no secret that the deeper the pockets of your competition, the longer the money draining fight will last...keeping this in mind, doesn't it worry you that your new bright and shiny Mr Saretsky is simply trying an old tired tactic that his previous company tried and failed to do? All due respect to those from CP/CAIL, but do you remember ATTACHE, and a few others that the old guard dreamt up to try to steal revenue from big red? This should be fun to watch, my experience working with these ex CP/CAIL bright lights is that they have a hell of a time letting go of the halcyon days of the old airline...and those who fail to learn from history...you know the rest! It's a potential cash burner to say the least...

I think you have to look at the WJs "younger" work force though, half of them probably have no idea who CP/CAIL were, or the history behind them, and think this is some new service that WJ thought up all by themselves! Personally I think GS is taking them down the wrong road and seems more intent on competing head to head with AC. Look at the wet lease of B757s to Hawaii, was there really a need for that? Why not stick with what works.

Everyone also has to remember that WS will now have AA and Delta code share traffic to/ from YYZ and YOW/YUL. I am pretty sure that 95% of that traffic went to AC before now. Who knows how that will affect the whole thing, but if the flight times did not work for the business peeps from AA and Delta before, you can be assured they would have jumped on AC. With this new sched, me thinks they won't have to any more.