WestJet Turning into Air Canada?

WestJet is the other major Canadian airline company that I knew had lower prices than Air Canada (and I think they still have) but it is good that AC was my company’s preferred airline (almost mandatory) so I tried to avoid WestJet as much as I could as they did not offer upgrades or status miles.

However, I was curious to compare the costs so I checked on their websites the following flight: Vancouver-Edmonton (outbound – Thursday, 06 December, inbound – Sunday, 09 December)

WestJet – depart 10:05 AM on Thu, 09:45 PM on Sun: 584.29  CAD

Air Canada – depart 10:25 AM on Thu, 09:10 PM on Sun: 584.29  CAD

So no difference in price here and times almost the same, so I would go for AC (yes, it is for my status).

However, I have digressed, this is the article I have recently read and gave the title of the post:

“The new Internet booking system, which WestJet hopes to launch in late January, will sell economy, mid-tier and premium tickets. That is a major shift from its current system, which sells only the lowest-priced ticket available.

Economy tickets under the new system will continue to sell the lowest available fare, but the cancellation fee for them will jump to C$75 ($75.48) from C$50. Mid-tier tickets will have a C$50 cancellation fee.

Premium tickets, unavailable until late March when WestJet finishes reconfiguring its 100 Boeing 737 planes to allow more leg room, will include priority screening and boarding, free cancellations and flexibility on ticket changes.

Pricing for those tickets, which may include free meals and drinks and an extra baggage allowance, has not yet been determined. Fares will be well below half the price for business class at WestJet’s bigger competitor, Air Canada, Saretsky [CEO of WestJet] said.

“It’s time for us to be more serious with respect to going after business travelers because frankly, they’re the ones who are booking last-minute and are happy to pay for the conveniences,” Saretsky said.

WestJet will launch its premium economy service with 24 seats per plane, but will consider expansion if it proves “wildly successful,” he added.”

Full article here