WestJet could start flights to transborder business destinations within the next year or two, but the airline's management believes the carrier need to strengthen U.S. point of sales and create the right number of frequencies in those markets.
The airline flies to 12 U.S. and international cities, and yesterday President Sean Durfy told analysts that currently WestJet serves only sun destinations. "We haven't even cracked the business market in the U.S.," he said. About 22% of WestJet's overall capacity in the fourth quarter of last year was in transborder markets.
Durfy acknowledged WestJet's challenge in bolstering its point of sales in the U.S. Currently, those numbers are 9%-11%, compared with a 50-50 split on some of its Canadian domestic flights, such as Calgary-Toronto. But Durfy declared that WestJet's flights to U.S. business destinations are an "absolute event" and would probably occur in a year or two.
Commavia From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 10188 posts, RR: 63 Reply 1, posted (6 years 3 months 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 3880 times:
If WestJet is serious about possibly joining oneworld, and linking up more closely with AA down the road, they are going to have to get serious about linking nonstop to larger, more important business destinations. They already fly YYC-LAX from western Canada, although schedules may have to be adjusted in the future to smooth onward connections with hypothetical oneworld partners, and I could also definitely see them getting into markets like YVR- and YEG-LAX. I could also see them entering larger eastern markets down the road like YUL-LGA or YOW-MIA, where its lower costs coupled with the higher revenue-generating power of an AA codeshare could be successful. In addition, I think that low-cost/strong-revenue combo and a strong AA codeshare could definitely make WestJet competitive in some markets out of Chicago -- particularly linking AA's second largest hub with cities like Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg.
ERAUgrad02 From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 1227 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (6 years 3 months 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 3838 times:
SLCUT2777 From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 3858 posts, RR: 11 Reply 4, posted (6 years 3 months 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 3782 times:
Even cities not dominated by OneWorld or Star Alliance like an SLC would offer WS all sorts of possibilities. DL has yet to make good on a promise to return mainline service on SLC-YYC, and SLC-YEG. These are routes WS could come in and take many frequent DL business customers, and except for a brief try at SLC-YYZ last year, AC has virtually ignored SLC for trans-border possibilities, leaving DL to dominate this one.
While AS understands that Canada despite its vast geographical distances, only has a very limited domestic market being home to only 33 million people (smaller than California), and that serious money for a Canadian based airline is truly made via trans-border operations.
DELTA Air Lines; The Only Way To Fly from Salt Lake City; Let the Western Heritage always be with Delta!
Laxintl From United States of America, joined May 2000, 22023 posts, RR: 51 Reply 5, posted (6 years 3 months 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 3765 times:
Quoting Commavia (Reply 1): I could also definitely see them getting into markets like YVR- and YEG-LAX.
WestJet already has tried daily YVR-LAX and YYZ-LAX service with a speedy withdrawal from both.
Self admittedly in the article WJ has pretty poor name recognition and US point of sale which definately hurts its efforts when going up against the Air Canada's, United, Alaska's of the world.
Its leisure routes have worked as they primarily serve the Canadian consumer and do not rely much on US residents.
From the desert to the sea, to all of Southern California
EXAAUADL From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (6 years 3 months 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 3729 times:
Quoting SLCUT2777 (Reply 4): Even cities not dominated by OneWorld or Star Alliance like an SLC would offer WS all sorts of possibilities. DL has yet to make good on a promise to return mainline service on SLC-YYC, and SLC-YEG.
The local SLC-YYC market is something like 10 passengers and YEG is probably like 6
Drerx7 From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 4905 posts, RR: 9 Reply 7, posted (6 years 3 months 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 3716 times:
YYC-IAH, Or Edmonton to Houston would be good markets. Could Canada flights fly into Hobby since there is no FIS there? YYC-HOU would be a good route if aimed at the business flyer.
Dhefty From United States of America, joined May 2005, 599 posts, RR: 3 Reply 8, posted (6 years 3 months 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 3643 times:
Since WestJet has only 7 remaining deliveries on backlog with Boeing, it seems highly likely that a new major 737 order will be announced this year. It could be as many as 25-50 based on their announced growth plans.
It looks like WestJet is planning to be flying as much north-south as they do east-west.
Quoting SLCUT2777 (Reply 4): While AS understands that Canada despite its vast geographical distances, only has a very limited domestic market being home to only 33 million people (smaller than California), and that serious money for a Canadian based airline is truly made via trans-border operations.
Quoting G&M: WestJet Airlines Ltd. is only kicking tires now, but you can add the popular Boeing 787 Dreamliner to the carrier's list of long-term strategic options.
If the airline were to either buy or lease Boeing 787s, overseas destinations could conceivably be added by 2013.
Flyb From Canada, joined Aug 2006, 630 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (6 years 3 months 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 3577 times:
IAH-YEG with CO was dropped, it was not because of low demand though that it was dropped. The demand is there business people like myself do not like the 12:15 arrival into YEG, and then 1:00am departure back to IAH that they had.
TOLtommy From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 3219 posts, RR: 4 Reply 12, posted (6 years 3 months 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 3408 times:
I think joining oneworld is the wrong path for Westjet. I think working more closely with Frontier and Airtran would have better financial impact. A biz class cabin is not a necessity, and Westjet would not have to upgrade to a much more expensive res system. Sooner or late the LCC's are going to have to start joining in some way. They can get the benefits from codesharing without having to spend the big bucks to join a major alliance.
LGA777 From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 1101 posts, RR: 22 Reply 13, posted (6 years 3 months 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 3367 times:
Westjet served LGA back in 2005 and ended service mainly because of in WS's view undesirable slot times. I believe they departed at 1220 and 1620, making a day business trip from YYZ not desirable.
But at the time LGA-YYZ was served by AC, AA, WS, Canjet, and Jetsgo. At that time most of AC's flights where 319,320's. But today is much different. Canjet and Jetsgo are gone, and while some AC flights are still Airbus many are E-175 and 190, plus one Jazz CRJ-705. On weekends even some Jazz CRJ-200's serve the route. While some might disagree I believe even with all AC's and AA's frequncies this route is slightly underserved. I believe WS would probably be more sucessful on a second try, although the possible entry of Porter in this market could be interesting, although EWR is more likely due to lack of customs at LGA and preclearance at YTZ. Just my two cents.
Steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8802 posts, RR: 19 Reply 14, posted (6 years 3 months 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 3327 times:
Any PA cities, besides PHL? PIT only has AC and US service to YYZ.. and on turboprops. I am more into transatlantic service returning though, even if everyone says it will never come back. That is them saying that. I toot my own frigging horn, and I have my own thoughts, hopes, beliefs, etc...
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
SLCUT2777 From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 3858 posts, RR: 11 Reply 15, posted (6 years 3 months 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 3317 times:
Quoting EXAAUADL (Reply 6): The local SLC-YYC market is something like 10 passengers and YEG is probably like 6
Then please explain why they pack virtually full 4 CRJs from YYC and 2 of them from YEG? While many of the passengers to YVR are connecting, they fill 2 CRJs and one 738 per day flown on this route.
DELTA Air Lines; The Only Way To Fly from Salt Lake City; Let the Western Heritage always be with Delta!
Skyzheimers From United States of America, joined Jan 2007, 75 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (6 years 3 months 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 3293 times:
I think you're making a great point 'TOLtommy'... Frontier and Westjet would make excellent partners! WS could feed into F9 at SFO with connections to LAX and LAS for example making those flights more sustainable and never mind the many connections available at DEN especially to Floridian and Mexican vacation spots...
Connector4you From Canada, joined May 2001, 921 posts, RR: 2 Reply 17, posted (6 years 3 months 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 3255 times:
Quoting Laxintl (Thread starter): business destinations are an "absolute event" and would probably occur in a year or two.
First, will cost them some doe to reconfigure and fit an entire fleet of Boeings with business seats. Remember, they launched as a low-cost so one class configuration (leather though !) Clearly WestJet would love to join an alliance "yesterday", unfortunately . . . they lack the "business class" prerequisite. Nothing else than cheap talk meant to keep WJ on commercial aviation headlines.
Accargo From Canada, joined Sep 2004, 610 posts, RR: 8 Reply 18, posted (6 years 3 months 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 3157 times:
Quoting Connector4you (Reply 17): Nothing else than cheap talk meant to keep WJ on commercial aviation headlines.
Exactly. Just smoke and mirrors from Durfy. They will have difficulty joining an alliance without a new res system, and they just dumped the one they were working on in the trash to the tune of $37 million loss. When I see them start a MASSIVE ad campaign south of the border then I might think they are getting serious.
Quoting LGA777 (Reply 13): Canjet and Jetsgo are gone, and while some AC flights are still Airbus many are E-175 and 190, plus one Jazz CRJ-705. On weekends even some Jazz CRJ-200's serve the route. While some might disagree I believe even with all AC's and AA's frequncies this route is slightly underserved.
AC put Embraers on that route and is filling them, the 319's and 320's weren't always full. I highly doubt there is room for 737's.
Should be interesting to see what they do with all those new acft though.
Noise From Canada, joined Dec 1999, 1566 posts, RR: 5 Reply 20, posted (6 years 3 months 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 2438 times:
Quoting Af773atmsp (Reply 19): I would like WestJet to compete with NW on MSP-YEG and MSP-Montreal. WestJet flies to Montreal right?
Yes they do. They fly YUL-YYZ, YUL-YWG, YUL-YYC, YUL-YEG, YUL-YVR, YUL-YYG, YUL-FLL, YUL-TPA and YUL-MCO.
Honestly, the YUL-MSP market is too small for another carrier to successfully compete with NW. The daily flight with the CRJ is just about fine for that market.
I think out of YUL, WestJet would have better success with O&D markets that are over 70,000 pax per year...YUL-NYC, YUL-BOS, YUL-LAX, YUL-ORD, YUL-IAD.
MCOflyer From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 8552 posts, RR: 14 Reply 21, posted (6 years 3 months 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 2087 times:
I think a morning flight from MCO would work out. Is their demand for more pax flights to Canada from
MCO? We have AC, Westjet, and Airtransat I believe.
ConcordeBoy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 22, posted (6 years 3 months 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 2008 times:
Quoting Drerx7 (Reply 7): Could Canada flights fly into Hobby since there is no FIS there?
Despite what it may lack so far as self-contained facilities go; HOU is a customs landing rights airport, which is all you'd need for authorization to a nonstop flight from a pre-cleared destination in Canada et al.
Af773atmsp From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 2573 posts, RR: 2 Reply 23, posted (6 years 3 months 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 2002 times:
Why doesn't AC have service from MSP to YUL? Not much demand on this route or is it because of the competition against NW?
Noise From Canada, joined Dec 1999, 1566 posts, RR: 5 Reply 24, posted (6 years 3 months 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 1902 times:
Quoting Af773atmsp (Reply 23): Why doesn't AC have service from MSP to YUL? Not much demand on this route or is it because of the competition against NW?
Looking at the market size, probably both!
25 EXAAUADL: Its called a hub, 1 pax connecting here one connecting there, it adds up..and they dont pack the RJs, they have like a 70% LF. Another tiny local mar
26 Centrair: Not much demand at all. Look at ORD-YUL, DTW-YUL, or SFO-YUL. All major hubs and few flights to YUL. I think the largest aircraft on those routes is
27 Af773atmsp: I doubt that WestJet would consider MSP-CUN service or MSP to some Caribbean destination because SY and NW would be hard to compete against.
28 Caribb: It's a bit of an oddball market in North America plus city is not in a good location to generate connections around the continent. Add to it Toronto,
29 YOW: " target=_blank>http://www.aviationweek.com/publicat...ions+ For those of us that don't have a subscription, would you mind posting the full article h
30 Flyb: West Jet still has many options out of YEG especially. Currently for Transborder they mainly have the holiday business. If they were to launch a IAH a
31 FLYYUL: WEstJet's US point of sale is below 10%. They will no doubt focus on high volume leisure markets from Major Canadian points. Boston, Chicago New York,
32 Multimark: Only proves what many of us having been saying about WS: they're running out of Canadian routes to serve. But without an alliance they're dead in the
33 EXAAUADL: ORD is a hub, so it is difficult to tell...as for YYZ-LGA, it is probably more than 2x the size of YUL-LGA. Also YYZ is a hub, YUL isnt really though
34 Manu: If WestJet joined AAdvantage's program, I would fly them more. I could earn status miles on American and in OneWorld while flying WestJet. I have yet
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