Good Luck with that WJ......

[delta1]

BA announces A380 service yvr - lhr and westjet announces yvr - lhr.....riiiiiight. Thats a long flight on nothing but bits and bites.



It could soon be cheaper to get a flight to Europe.

WestJet has just announced it will begin non-stop service to London Gatwick, adding to other flights to London from YVR already offered by Air Canada and some other carriers.

Claire Newell with Travel Best Bets says it great news for travellers.

“Six flights a week is going to add a lot of capacity to the marketplace so I expect it will drop some fares for a while,” she tells NEWS 1130.

“Any time a new competitor comes into the marketplace, all of the other airlines take a look around and they take a look at their fares. Many of them will actually match the introductory fares that a new carrier comes out with, especially in the initial stages.”

WestJet will begin offering the non-stop service to London in May, starting at $299, using its new Boeing 767s.

Newell says the airline likely bought the new longhaul jets so it could start making Transatlantic flights.

[oldtimer]

Still on the same subject, I read somewhere that the USAF selected the Boeing 767 air refueling version as replacement for their aging KC10's so Boeing then not only ramped up 767 production but went to FedEx with a sweetheart deal to replace their fleet of A310's and MD 11's so it is probably a good guess Westjet bought the airplanes at a price too good to turn down.
Does anyone know if the Westjet 767's are new off the assembly line or lease returns refurbished.
Still, it is a long haul on peanuts and coffee but the price is right. I wonder how many people will load up on burgers from the fast food joints prior to boarding. If I were travelling to Blighty, I would go for the cheap fares and bring my own lunch. If that is allowed.

[eggy]

I believe the WJ frames came from Qantas.

[cdnpilot77]

Still on the same subject, I read somewhere that the USAF selected the Boeing 767 air refueling version as replacement for their aging KC10's

A little off topic but that has been a complete shitshow. They had originally selected a variant of the A330 to replace the KC10's about 8-10 years ago. Then with a major outcry from the taxpayers and lawmakers in the states affected by Boeing, the airforce re-opened the bid with an RFP that only Boeing would be able to accommodate.

I haven't read that the purchase had actually been made though...good on them for fighting the dirty fight and winning!

Now back to the story....the 767's for WJ are used and were previously operated by Qantas.

[aviatrix444]

With the introduction of the 767 WJ will also be introducing hot meals, so don't worry about subsisting on bits and bites

The traditional snacks available onboard have also been upgraded.

Exciting times for Team Teal Tail

[Confliction]

Aren't they obligated to offer food (other than cookies) on a flight that long?

[boeingboy]

I really donr think there will be any major change in the amount of seats going to LHR. 1 A380 does not have the same capacity as 2 747-400's. Without Westjet - there would actually be a substantial decrease in seats.

[CID]

Yep...another know-nothing with negativity based on nothing but conjecture. So this will go a couple of pages to correct all the BS....

[Panama Jack]

"Long-haul for show, short-haul for dough."

[upintheair_]

It's WestJet. Pretty much everything they have done has been calculated. I'm sure there was lots of research done to the viability of maintaining this route before they decided to go ahead with it.

Also keep in mind it's Stanstead which is a lot cheaper to fly into that Heathrow.

I flew round trip on Transat to London two years ago for under $800. So it's not that far out of this world to imagine they can sustain it.

[CXALE]

It's WestJet. Pretty much everything they have done has been calculated. I'm sure there was lots of research done to the viability of maintaining this route before they decided to go ahead with it.

Also keep in mind it's Stanstead which is a lot cheaper to fly into that Heathrow.

I flew round trip on Transat to London two years ago for under $800. So it's not that far out of this world to imagine they can sustain it.

Westjet is flying to Gatwick, not Heathrow, not Stanstead, not London City.

[Longtimer]

With the introduction of the 767 WJ will also be introducing hot meals, so don't worry about subsisting on bits and bites

The traditional snacks available onboard have also been upgraded.

Exciting times for Team Teal Tail

I hope they have a good caterer.

[Diadem]

According to this, you don't get a meal unless you pay extra: http://www.edmontonsun.com/2015/09/15/w ... ct-for-299

The flight doesn't include a meal, but does come with the regular, light snack and non-alcoholic drinks. And, of course, fliers can buy bigger snacks and meals.

[gasbag1]

My sister bought a couple of tickets at the 299 price then taxes on top the true cost $899.00. That fare is only available for a short period, then the non-promotional price. A 8 or 9 hour flight buying food on board another 25 bucks. And every other carrier has at least one meal and a snack provided on the same route and I bet the fares are not that far apart. Maybe not so well thought out.

[CpnCrunch]

No, the prices include all taxes and fees. I just checked YVR-LGW and you can get a ticket for $261.41 (base fare is $207) on May 25th. That's cheaper than their advertising, which says prices start at $299 from YVR. Pretty amazing price.

The only problem is that they still don't really have any codeshares so if you want to go to somewhere like BFS or MAN you have to book another airline, pick up and recheck your luggage, and hope there are no delays otherwise you're screwed.

[pilotman15]

Have a look at AC for all the London routes announced by WJ. Prices are identical or lower. Just looked at YVR-LHR for 250 total taxes in. Going to be a very competitive summer for the London market.

[CpnCrunch]

Yes, you're right. I'm seeing $256 total one-way YVR-LHR, including taxes and fees, and that includes a meal. Also, AC has pretty good legroom compared to most other airlines. In fact, it's exactly the same price to fly YVR-YWG!

[upintheair_]

It's WestJet. Pretty much everything they have done has been calculated. I'm sure there was lots of research done to the viability of maintaining this route before they decided to go ahead with it.

Also keep in mind it's Stanstead which is a lot cheaper to fly into that Heathrow.

I flew round trip on Transat to London two years ago for under $800. So it's not that far out of this world to imagine they can sustain it.

Westjet is flying to Gatwick, not Heathrow, not Stanstead, not London City.

I stand corrected.

[Heliian]

Westjet is flying to Gatwick, not Heathrow, not Stanstead, not London City

Talk about a broken telephone. don't forget luton.

[Trapper]

or Oxford

[Married a Canadian]

Sorry...but the British pedant in me had to point out that it is London StanSTED...not stanstead.

Aren't they obligated to offer food (other than cookies) on a flight that long

Does anyone know if there is an industry obligation for this for flights over a certain length. I am interested because Rouge tried doing YYZ, PHNL last year. One of my work mates took the flight which was over 10 hours..and there were no meals served as it was considered to be a "US" flight. I thought that was ridiculous!

RE Flights serving the London market....If Westjet can make this work for them...good luck. They will need to get afew codeshares in there as point to point won't sustain that route....but if they do...there is the market to make it work.

[KK7]

The big benefit is for those connecting onto one of these flights from Encore. The addition of an Encore flight from say, YXS to YVR, is only an addition $20.

[Legacy]

So what the OP is saying is if an A380 flies a particular route every other airline may as well just pack it in and go home. Jeez everyone should just buy 380's then.

[complexintentions]

The strategy you suggest (all 380, all the time) seems to be working for Emirates, as much as I hate to admit it. Time will tell, if/when fuel prices rise again.

Speaking of 380's, as a pax in any class it's a massive upgrade from a used B767 for a Vancouver-London pairing. I realize ticket cost is the main determinant for most Canadians but if BA can be competitive it's a no-brainer to take the Airbus.

Introductory pricing aside, once the dust settles I think WS will have a real fight on their hands on that route. I kinda doubt AC will just shrug their shoulders and do nothing on one of their most lucrative destinations.

[boeingboy]

Introductory pricing aside, once the dust settles I think WS will have a real fight on their hands on that route. I kinda doubt AC will just shrug their shoulders and do nothing on one of their most lucrative destinations.

I dont think that will be the case. There seems to be very high demand for that route. As it sits now, with BA's 2 daily 747-400's, transats 330, and ac's 777's the fligths are still oversold right now. A reduction in capacity will only makes things worse. I think Westjet will do alright.

I also dont understand the "tired" comment all the time. It's a brand new interior and entertainment system. I think it will get positive reviews personally.

The A380 is no game changer. (at least to the level Airbus hyped it to be) with the exception of one airline - eveyone else is struggling to make it fit. Even Lufthansa will bring it to YVR next summer.