NEXtime From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 81 posts, RR: 0 Posted (8 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 1517 times:
I'm taking a well earned break in Canada first week October '04. Will be flying from MAN-YYZ on BMI A330. I'm looking at travelling across to YVR for maybe 3 or 4 days. I've looked at Air Canada, Westjet & Jetsgo to find some relatively good value fares. Any opinion on which of this carriers to choose, or has anyone got any better ideas? I Don't mind making a connecting flight just as long as its reliable! Also, while I'm here, are there any good ideas for a hotel at YVR close to the airport?
YVRtoYYZ From Canada, joined Mar 2004, 633 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (8 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 1425 times:
Definitely fly Harmony (formerly HMY). Offer meals, movie and complementary wine service with the flight direct YYZ-YVR. Stay at either the Fairmont or the Delta Airport Inn as they have views of the terminal and arriving/departing aircraft.
Air Canada is offering cheap Tango airfares ($150 approx.) one way right now and you get meal, movie and headphones, etc. but depends on if you want to fly AC or not.
Great city - lots to do and see, esp. with the weather being as good as I am told it has been. Enjoy!
CanadaEH From Canada, joined Jul 2003, 1341 posts, RR: 4 Reply 7, posted (8 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 1357 times:
There are many choices for you, that's for sure.
I would recommend Westjet or Harmony.
Westjet (being my employer) is my choice - comfortable legroom, leather seats, and good customer service. I flew Harmony last week to/from Hawaii and thought the service was also great (meals, free wine!, movies).
Sebring From Canada, joined Jul 2004, 1658 posts, RR: 15 Reply 8, posted (8 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 1335 times:
Air Canada is always my choice for a flight of that duration. You can pick a widebody aircraft on that route - though not all are widebodies. You get a meal and entertainment, which you don't get on WJ. You get an inch more legroom in Y than WJ, and if you are a BMI frequent flyer, you can get lots of FF points as well. If you are not a BMI frequent flyer, I suggest that you sign up and get points all the way from Manchester to Vancouver. Depending on your transatlantic fare, you might end up generating a short-haul ticket for yourself. Harmony is very nice, but there are rumors about the owner's frustration with poor loads and financials... Just rumors, but people who have flown them also have remarked to me on poor loads.
Dash8King From Canada, joined Nov 2001, 2742 posts, RR: 12 Reply 9, posted (8 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 1299 times:
Air Canada is offering cheap Tango airfares ($150 approx.) one way right now and you get meal, movie and headphones, etc.
I don't know about you but on my last two, 4 hour flights all they offered was a greek salad and a sesame seed bun. Although the buy on board program seemed to offer good prices for goodies although I didn't have any. I would pick AC or WJ.
YVRtoYYZ From Canada, joined Mar 2004, 633 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (8 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 1284 times:
AC Tango fares offer full meal and beverage service on any flight longer than 3.5 hours. Happened on both my flights west this summer (YUL-YVR & YUL-YYC). What astounded me was that I paid $89 each way Tango fare (YUL-YVR) and got the same service as those who paid Econo, Fun, Latitude, etc. prices. Plus I got EE on both flights making it even better.
WJ BOB (buy-onboard) was so-so. $4 for a stale, plain and dry sub (bun, meat and optional dijon mustard.) BOB also available only on flights longer than 3 hrs on WJ, if i recall correctly.
EmiratesA345 From Canada, joined Jun 2003, 2120 posts, RR: 10 Reply 11, posted (8 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 1281 times:
Having flown WestJet, Air Canada and Jetsgo, I would definitely advise to take Air Canada, especially on a medium haul flight like this. The legroom is outstanding, as well as the food and IFE that has already been mentioned. You also get Aeroplan points!
If not Air Canada, I would go with WestJet as the legroom is much, much better than at Jetsgo.
Alespesl From Czech Republic, joined Jan 2004, 580 posts, RR: 2 Reply 12, posted (8 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 1286 times:
Dont forget that Air Transat also flies between YYZ and YVR. However if I had to fly, I would go with Harmony Airways. I think they are pretty good and nice company.
Try something different than Air Canada.
Next Flight: Jun 25 PRG-BRU-PRG with Brussels Airlines, Aug 19 DRS-DUS-GWT on Air Berlin, Aug 19 HAM-PRG on Czech Airlin
NEXtime From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 81 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (8 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 1233 times:
Thanks all for your assistance and comments folks...
I have made the necessary arrangements and parted with the cash (or should I say my credit card details). For the record Westjet from YYZ-YVR (I chose a flight with a 2 hour connection at YYC for $189.00 plus tax) and for the return an Air Canada direct flight on 767-300 ($159.00 plus tax). Will be at YYZ for a couple of days and then to YVR on 4th October thru 9th October. Hopefully I can negociate a deal with the Fairmont Hotel. Nice photos from there Kaz, are you aware of which room numbers offer these views?
One final question to anyone at YVR with regard to floatplane activity.
I've flown the Beaver at Lake Hood AK, I hear there's a Beech 18 over there on floats. Any information would be appreciated!
Thanks again!
Kevin Greenwood
CanadaEH From Canada, joined Jul 2003, 1341 posts, RR: 4 Reply 14, posted (8 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days ago) and read 1208 times:
Glad to see you decided to give Westjet (my company) a try, thanks for the business. Feel free to message me a few days prior to your travel and I'll check to see if you'll be flying on our aircraft that has LiveTV. We should have three up and running by the time you fly.
AirbusfanYYZ From Canada, joined Oct 2002, 1406 posts, RR: 29 Reply 15, posted (8 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 1106 times:
Kevin,
The rooms at the Fairmont YVR on the North offer the best views as the sun is behind you (i.e. South). With a Southside room you can view takeoffs from 26L/8R but the sun will be in your face.
When you're in Toronto look us YYZ Spotters up we'll be happy to show ya around.
CanadaEH From Canada, joined Jul 2003, 1341 posts, RR: 4 Reply 16, posted (8 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 1088 times:
I don't know how long the south runway closures will last for, but if you get a room on the north side of the hotel, you'll be viewing takoff/landings on 26R/8L as 26L/8R is closed overnight. A wide-angle, lengthy exposure of a takeoff or landing, taxi, and arrival all at night would make for one cool picture.
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From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 81 posts, 
From Canada, joined Nov 1999, 520 posts, 
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Feel free to message me a few days prior to your travel and I'll check to see if you'll be flying on our aircraft that has LiveTV. We should have three up and running by the time you fly.
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