Air Canada or WestJet YYZ-YVR

[ADLhighflyer]

Hi All,

Looking at booking a flight later November between Toronto and Vancouver, and have the option to choose between Air Canada and WestJet.

Firstly, any ideas which would be the preferred carrier between the two?

Secondly, if AC is better, I have the choice between flights on the A321, 788, 77W and 77L. Anything I need to consider with this, and is it worth upgrading to a prem econ seat for approx $70.00CAD for the 4-5hr hop?

Any other tips/ideas would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[TomVexille]

Personally I would be flying AC purely because I have *G status. The widebodies will have an international product so that's where I'd be going. And I would probably pay the extra.

 

[clazman]

AC for me...but be careful AC sometime mix Jazz there LCC into the mix

 

[TomVexille]

AC for me...but be careful AC sometime mix Jazz there LCC into the mix

Jazz is their regional arm. Rouge is the LCC.

 

[Warks]

My sister lives in Vancouver and says "Westjet all the way". Air Canada may be okay internationally but suck domestically. They aren't all that cheap and offer a bare minimum of anything. We flew YVR-EWR in June and they were at the Jetstar level if that. They got us there which is about it. Long flight to get nothing. Of course if there are points in it (good luck) then go with AC. I don't know what Westjet is like but would trust my sister's judgment.

 

[amaroo]

Found AC to be a very pleasant experience http://www.australianfrequentflyer....es-helicopter-airboat-57072-3.html#post977363

For $70 bucks - I'd be upgrading.

 

[clazman]

Jazz is their regional arm. Rouge is the LCC.

Oops that was a silly mistake

 

[Hammando]

Rouge is the worst

 

[TomVexille]

Rouge is the worst

Better or worse than JQ?

 

[ADLhighflyer]

Thanks All.

Looks like AC may be the way to go - just waiting on the sale fares now to appear!

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

My sister lives in Vancouver and says "Westjet all the way". Air Canada may be okay internationally but suck domestically. They aren't all that cheap and offer a bare minimum of anything. We flew YVR-EWR in June and they were at the Jetstar level if that. They got us there which is about it. Long flight to get nothing. Of course if there are points in it (good luck) then go with AC. I don't know what Westjet is like but would trust my sister's judgment.

I too agree with your sentiment.

I found whilst living in Canada a few years ago, a deep love of West-Jet as a brand amongst fellow Canadians whilst Air- Canada was held in poor regard amongst Canadians.

For the record I found both carriers much of a muchness, but I did find West-Jet a fun, quirky Carrier, that always puts a smile on my dial when I've flown with them, hence my recommendation.

 

[GCBSYD]

WestJet at a million miles an hour!

 

[Warks]

Air Canada charge to earn FF points! (well they discount not earning points which is the same thing)

 

[RooFlyer]

Rouge is the worst

Better or worse than JQ?

I must admit I thought the same as Hammando when 'Rogue' first appeared, but having taken a number of ~3 hour flights on them YYC-LAX & return (booked by client ,:shock: ) I'd put them on a par with JQ. If the flight goes OK, its perfectly OK but if there is a scheduling wrinkle, then look out.

I have flown AC enough to maintain the equivalent of QF plat on them for years ... and I'd choose Westjet over AC for the YYZ-YVR flight of the OP, if you are talking economy, and assuming no status on *A. In fact I have chosen WS over AC (Rogue) for an up-coming LAX-YYC trip, notwithstanding WS have no lounges ( :shock: :shock: ). WS is essentially VA as of a few years ago before they started trying to compete with QF for J and corporate business. Its a solid Y journey with a regularity of service to overcome most scheduling glitches.

But if the OP does go AC, then do the upgrade.

Edit: Also, check out fees for checked bags on both. AC now charges C$ or US$ 28 for the FIRST checked bag if you don't have status; can't remember re WS. The battle for overhead bin space on AC flights is as fierce as on any airline in Nth America.

Edit: WS charge about the same for the first checked bag. Depends on fare bought.

 

[ADLhighflyer]

Just a quick update on this thread, as just got back from my trip.

I did end up buying the ticket on Air Canada (mainly to fly on their B787 for the first time!). For some background info, I found that tickets always seemed to be cheapest Tues-Thurs for the YYZ-YVR trip around about 8 weeks in advance. I kept monitoring their 'Deals of the Week' to ensure I got the best deal - which I did, as I never saw it cheaper than what I paid. I also selected Canada as 'country of residence', as selecting Australia made the prices go up more than the expected currency conversion rate (similar to past experiences with AA).

Buying the Premium Economy seat is worth it, and costs an extra $70CAD for a one-way flight. Seat room is comparable to a Qantas PE, however food is still Buy on Board as per Economy. The larger seat made the 5hr trip just that little bit better. Still had to fork out the approx $28CAD for the first checked bag though - but was going to have to be done regardless anyway so wasn't fussed at all.

Overall, I'd happily fly them again and fork out the extra for the PE seat again.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks for the update. yes, I would have chosen the 787 too!