draper [Air Canada to fly MEL/YVR direct? Substance?]

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draper

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Air Canada question:
My wife is presently in Canada and heard from an unknown source (on a ski lift) that Air Canada will / are considering flights on AC metal ex Melbourne to Vancouver.
Presently, Melbourne to Vancouver Air Canada passengers have to travel via Qantas to Sydney (domestic) then pick up the Daily Air Canada flight (direct) to Vancouver.
Can anyone add substance to this rumour?
It would be great if it was possible to travel ex Melbourne to Vancouver on Air Canada metal. I doubt the present AC 777 have the legs for a direct MEL YVR service.
But anything would be better than the other offerings of QF via LA (last choice)or Air NZ via NZ.(2nd choice).
Rumour or not?
 
AC has the 777LR in the fleet which has the legs okay. They were to commence services December 2001 MEL-HNL (with B763's back then) and had approvals in place. Post 9-11 they changed plan and didn't go ahead.

As to whether the rumour is true, no idea but I believe tourism to Canada is pretty strong.
 
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Melbourne, Florida or Melbourne, Australia?
An unknown source on a ski lift is hardly substantive source.
Does AC currently have more traffic rights (if to Australia)?
 
From AusBT in late 2012:

“Vancouver to Sydney is the single longest route we have and the only way we want to do Australia is non-stop” said Air Canada President and CEO Calin Rovinescu at a media briefing in Sydney today, and "Melbourne would be logical next destination for us in Australia."
http://www.ausbt.com.au/air-canada-mulls-new-boeing-787-business-class-premium-economy


 
I would expect them to start once they have a few 787's..
 
I fly Air Canada quite a bit and have asked around about the YVR-MEL, in Canada a number of times. Seems a genuine desire, just a matter of being confident of the loads AND bedding down their 787s.

In recent years AC has done a reasonably good TPAC trade - some years they have a twice daily service SYD-YVR-SYD during our summer / northern winter (but I don't think they have this summer). But notwithstanding what Rovinescu was quoted as saying in that interview, they would have to be really confident of their yields if they do both YVR-SYD and YVR-MEL direct. Two jets, flying identical routes, only diverging in the last hour or so? Bit like QF flying to both LAX and SFO (if only ...).

YVR-SYD-MEL like I think UA does, seems more logical.
 
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I would welcome the additional competition on the MEL-North America. Hope this comes true, even if I am skeptical.
 
RooFlyer said:
I fly Air Canada quite a bit and have asked around about the YVR-MEL, in Canada a number of times. Seems a genuine desire, just a matter of being confident of the loads AND bedding down their 787s.

In recent years AC has done a reasonably good TPAC trade - some years they have a twice daily service SYD-YVR-SYD during our summer / northern winter (but I don't think they have this summer). But notwithstanding what Rovinescu was quoted as saying in that interview, they would have to be really confident of their yields if they do both YVR-SYD and YVR-MEL direct. Two jets, flying identical routes, only diverging in the last hour or so? Bit like QF flying to both LAX and SFO (if only ...).

YVR-SYD-MEL like I think UA does, seems more logical.
Click to expand...

The opportunity would be to down-gauge the 777 to SYD for a 787 so overall seat count did not increase as much.

Ie. 2 x 787s. vs. 1x 777.
 
RooFlyer said:
I fly Air Canada quite a bit and have asked around about the YVR-MEL, in Canada a number of times. Seems a genuine desire, just a matter of being confident of the loads AND bedding down their 787s.

In recent years AC has done a reasonably good TPAC trade - some years they have a twice daily service SYD-YVR-SYD during our summer / northern winter (but I don't think they have this summer). But notwithstanding what Rovinescu was quoted as saying in that interview, they would have to be really confident of their yields if they do both YVR-SYD and YVR-MEL direct. Two jets, flying identical routes, only diverging in the last hour or so? Bit like QF flying to both LAX and SFO (if only ...).

YVR-SYD-MEL like I think UA does, seems more logical.
Click to expand...

How do you find them?
 
Sprucegoose said:
How do you find them?
Click to expand...

Air Canada? TBH - a lot like QF. Rather variable in performance, particularly service, but generally a nice flight. Their 777 J are lie flat herring-bone style and I liked those a lot. IFE takes a bit of getting used to, but was quite OK after that.

Maple Leaf Lounges are better than their US cousins' efforts, but not as good as QPs.

They run a lot of E190s internally, even on what one would think are major routes - eg Vancouver-Calgary (sort of like MEL-ADL). IIRC there might have been 5 flights a day, only 1 a 737, rest E190s. Major PITA.

Their FF scheme - Aeroplan - was floated off years ago and is abominable. One of the reasons I'm watching QF's path to doing the same, with great apprehension. AC set up a sort of re-birthed in-house FF scheme early in 2013 (runs in parallel with Aeroplan) and it was probably the most botched, incompetent roll-out I have ever experienced. When the wheels fall off AC, its apparently all 4 at once. They set up a LCC last year and called it 'Rouge'. or Rogue. or something like that. :rolleyes:

One feature they have, which is absolutely GREAT is their 'Concierge' service. At the 8 major domestic airports, and 15 overseas airports are 2 or more people who are at the service of their top level flyers ('Super Elite') and international J pax. If you are delayed inbound, and have a connection, you will (or should) find yourself already re-booked as you walk off the in-bound. If they can, and have the opportunity, they will arrange ground transportation and even hotels for you (I think this aspect is waning). They will meet you when you come off a flight and zoom! you through formalities to get you on a tight connection etc etc. Quite a personal and in-person level of service. When you think of all the weather problems they have over there, this service is simply invaluable.

In conclusion: I'd recommend them TPAC. Certainly easier to get into western Canada than QF and OneWorld, via LAX of DFW.
 
I think the 787 might struggle for range on this route. They have the right aircraft now in the 777LR if there was a desire. I have always liked flying AC well enough. They are like a polite version of a US legacy carrier. Bad service but with a smile.
 
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