Battle Of The North: Examining The Fleets Of Air Canada And WestJet

[@LongHaulbySimpleFlying]

Note/Correction/Clarification: Air Canada's acquisition of 26 A321XLRs consists of six purchased jets and another 20 leased.

[@EChid]

Missed opportunity to detail the A330s. Back several years ago they were expected to be replaced by the 787s, but AC instead doubled down on them, specifically by adding quite a few as cheap used purchases from Singapore Airlines. Turns out they are ideal for many trans-Atlantic routes and suffer little in operating costs at that stage length compared to Dreamliners. They've also been completely refreshing the interiors to align with the rest of the fleet (meaning that the A330s actually have the freshest interiors).

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

They leased a whopping 8 used A330’s. I would hardly call that doubling down.

[@nntflow7058]

@@MaxwellAerialPhotography A330 made up around 20% of their widebody fleet. So yes, they are doubling down.

[@ljpr360]

I love our Mint Green Dreamliners. I always pick the A220 over the Max when available.

[@paulfife4683]

air canada toothpaste*

[@StarTheAvgeek]

Can't resist the A220!

[@dbclass4075]

A220s and 737s are in different category anyway. To clarify, are you referring to 787 when mentioning "Dreamliners"?

[@sking2173]

@@dbclass4075 - Regardless of the “category”, the 220 is heaps better for the coach passenger than the 737 ...

[@dbclass4075]

@@sking2173 Unsurprising, as A220 is newer after all. 737 is all the way back in 1960s.

[@dmitripogosian5084]

Locally, from Edmonton, I found myself sticking mostly with Flair Air for the last two-three years

[@stodakhizzle9049]

Any cancellations or delays

[@andrewisvrycool]

flair is great !! (yes ik im late 😂)

[@MJ-vq3ws]

Flown with Air Canada a few times, never had a bad experience until I had a flight on a 777 that had recently had a 3-4-3 configuration fitted. Unfortunately, my first experience with WestJet was cancelled by 2020.

[@greatcanadianmoose3965]

WestJet I've only had short haul between the maratimes and Toronto, but they are awesome.

[@StarTheAvgeek]

I always fly with Air Canada and WestJet. They are both decent airlines and I can't wait for Air Canada s A321XLR

[@ari_29971]

Because it’s a XLR do u think they would put a lie flat business?

[@StarTheAvgeek]

Hm.. to be honest, maybe. i think a few airlines have lie-flat business seats.

[@luisstransport]

Great video

[@gooner72]

I'm surprised at how many different aircraft Air Canada has in its fleet, it must be a proper headache keeping on top of the pilot training, retraining processes and maintenance. West Jet, however, has a much more simplified fleet which obviously benefits them a lot and saves them a lot of dosh on training and maintenance costs.

[@johnwellington5754]

Shockingly prior to COVID, AC was more profitable then WS

[@kiddo817]

Most Canadians like to complain about AC - it’s a national past time simply because it’s the flag carrier and serves so many markets. Almost every Canadian who’s traveled abroad would’ve flown on AC at least once in their lifetime. However, most frequent flyers and business travellers in Canada will tell you that AC wins the business/premium market hands down. It’s got a solid domestic and long haul J class product, consistent in flight service, and a great elite status program as part of Star Alliance that rewards its top tier 75K and 100K customers handsomely (dedicated airport concierge, premium lounges in the form of AC Suites, discounted reward tickets, nearly unlimited free upgrades on long haul routes etc.). That’s also why WestJet is so eager to “elevate” their branding with purchases of 787s and newly introduced business products - because AC absolutely dominates the business and premium market in Canada.

[@rulinghabs]

Flew West Jet 737 700 and 800 recently. They just got rid of some routes on the east coast and are refocusing their fleet in the west.

[@helmerj8323]

Please do Scandinavian Airlines

[@winhtin3420]

If I am not mistaken, AirCanada ordered additional 3 Boeing 787-9s recently. I hope Westjet starts flying trans-pacific as well to keep AC honest.

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

WestJet is the one who needs to be kept honest. There’s an expression in the Canadian airline industry regarding westjet, “budget airline service at a regular airline price.”

[@winhtin3420]

@@MaxwellAerialPhotography True. Just for the trans-pacific part. :-)

[@airtesamaviation]

A lot of Air Canada's 767s went to CargoJet and are under conversion BDSF such as C-FCAE

[@9999AWC]

Had pleasant experiences with both WestJet and Air Canada, but I personally prefer the latter.

[@FlightAirplane]

I don't. Half of my flights with them have been delayed tremendously.

[@9999AWC]

@@FlightAirplane had delays with both due to ground handling shortages.

[@ottawaemergencyvideography]

Air Transat has 16 long haul aircraft so their good at long hall but Air Canada and Westjet is better.

[@NguyenHuy-gl3oy]

*haul

[@ottawaemergencyvideography]

@@NguyenHuy-gl3oy it was autocorrect

[@TheDjzaa]

Outstanding video as usual! I’d love to have videos about private, smaller jets. Overall, great quality!

[@San_Aviation]

Idea: Compare flair and swoop

[@wadehiggins8107]

No A350s?

[@marcwenger9424]

WestJet flies trans Pacific to Narita seasonally

[@AviaZou7A]

Next Up: PAL vs Cebu Pacific :3

[@TheRandCrews]

Philippine Airlines still alive wow

[@Lagmire]

3:58 the A321 is not a wide body aircraft

[@Brezbs]

As a Canadian that still didn’t fly none of them, I think they’re both GREAT airlines!

[@rascallygoose4926]

I may be wrong, I believe WestJet had 757s for a very short time

[@Gameflyer001]

These were leased during the winter months (before they got their 767s) to fly passengers from Calgary to Hawaii. The strong headwinds westbound meant their 737s couldn't reliably fly the distance nonstop in that direction.

[@StarTheAvgeek]

You are correct, above comment explains it all.

[@redheads604]

To be fair, AC isn't bad per se. It's certainly better than flying any of the US carriers, but it's behind when you compare to the world's best. Westjet is lagging far behind in terms of long haul. They have very limited long haul destinations since they only have six 787s. Despite having a main hub in Calgary, they don't even offer flights to Asia. It seems like long hauls just isn't their priority. AC and Westjet are only competitors in the domestic and US markets. Outside of that, AC is way ahead. Also, Westjet isn't part of any alliance so if you are a frequent flyer, chances are you won't pick WestJet.

[@Egg-um]

Well Asian flights aren’t a problem anymore since they are starting flights to Tokyo this year

[@77Endercraft]

Bias as I work for AC, but Westjet is AC’s bitch, AC could easily control/pull the strings on what Westjet can do.

[@InfiniteHorizons]

Just look at how WestJet is greatly reducing Eastern Canada routes. I honestly think they're scared of AC

[@solweiser]

AC is getting 3 more 787-9s

[@mikemcmorran1119]

Recently flew business class on WestJet from Calgary to Rome and it was fabulous! Just 9 hours and 35 min flying time. Air Canada wanted to charge me 3k more with an extra stop in Toronto and an extra 3 hours flying time. The choice was obvious!

[@farhanabdulhamid4214]

Wow wow wow good canada ok thanks brother good

[@chandrachurniyogi8394]

the Canadian legacy full service carrier should replace their entire A330-300 fleet with 28 brand new A350-1000 HGW or the B787-10 for that matter . . . infact the airline could replace some of their older B787-8 airframes with a fleet of 33 brand new B787-10 . . . continuing to operate B777-300 ER for air cargo don't make sense, now that the pandemic has subsided significantly . . . Air Canada seriously needs some major re-structuring in the post pandemic 2020 era . . . re-activate the B777-200 LR fleet, one of the finest ultra long haul airliner by far . . .

[@thearsenalmisfit2414]

Sorry Westjet but Air Canada wins with is Airbus fleet which gas wider Cabins and seats . The A220 is my new favorite narrow body aircraft avd uf leaves the Max in the dust . Unfortunately both Airlines use the B787 Nightmare Liner for a huge portion if their long haul flights. So l try and find conections that will put me on a 777 or A330. My last westjet flight which was booked by my company was disappointing. It gad the exacf same ssat as Swoop use with the exact same amount of little seat back recline . The redt of the service was absolutely no differebt from Swoop but more expensive knky difference was the swoop Wifi was working where as the Westjet flight it was not. I told my company to save the money on my next trip .

[@khalidmohamed5946]

The only category Air Canada surpasses Westjet is the number of destinations they fly to. Service and cabin wise , westjet is much better

[@oz_medias]

By far. The transatlantic flight in business class make A/C with over 50 more years behind them, just seem ridiculous. Nothing beats WJ in flight service and terminal amenities are constantly growing. I find WJ 787's so much more comfortable than the A/C 777's

[@johnwellington5754]

Compare the cabin of the AC A220 vs Westjet B737-700 or WS MAX8 vs AC MAX8... Most customers would choose AC.

[@Casc.]

you forgot transat

[@AshishKumar-fn9en]

Are you really going to start ur own airlines or was it an April fool joke??

[@LongHaulbySimpleFlying]

For now, it's an April Fools joke. 😂

[@mcscotty325]

Canada has the worst airline industry in the world.

[@SmithandCollins123]

West jet is better than air Canada

[@ecclestonsangel]

Well, for one, Westjet doesn't treat its passengers like prisoners in a gulag. Avgeeks are treated nicely, as well as airline vloggere. Conversely, Air Canada treats everyone like dirt. This has been related to me by friends who live in Canada. That's where Westjet is crushing Air Canada, service. Service means a great deal to ne, so I will choose Westjet to take me about Canada.

[@valianes]

I've never flown Westjet but honestly in the last few years I haven't had a single bad experience with Air Canada... recently flew YYZ->AUH->BKK on Etihad, and then BKK->FRA->YYZ on Thai/AC and the Air Canada flight was the best of every flight I took. I guess I've been lucky with my experience because I hear the AC complaints a lot

[@ecclestonsangel]

@@valianes I've heard complaints trom my Canadian friends about AC- in a very polite manner, of course! Lol! Some people here have lucky experienced on United or American. The last time I flew American it was a nightmare(American has never been very good), and the last time I flew United, they lost my luggage and were very snippy about it. The only airline I've never had an issue with is Delta, so I'm willing to pay a little more to be treated like a human being!

[@EChid]

@@ecclestonsangel I think Canadians consider it out duty to politely complain about AC as a habit due to their dominance within Canada. In reality, they are consistently better than most US carriers.

[@ecclestonsangel]

@@EChid lol, and the Canadians are nothing, if not polite! Most Canadian and European airlines are better than American carriers....except maybe for Delta. I'm American and I freely admit that!

[@oz_medias]

I've flown both, same jets and cabin classes, awK has the superior service by miles. The two barely compare, as a far younger carrier, awJ shows what can actually be done and sets the bar for many others.

[@ggregory6611]

And they are both awful….very poor customer service.

[@wizardgaming669]

I fly both airlines out of Calgary and Toronto quite regularly, to both USA and Europe. Westjet is the far superior airline. Still not that great compared to European or Asian airlines.

[@johnwellington5754]

Westjet is nowhere near comparable to AC, the Westjet reward program is a joke and taking In-seat IFE out was Westjet's biggest mistake.

[@amkgskjsi3840]

FIRST Lol jk

[@AncientSagas]

Hi 1 year later

[@arxm1734]

Having flown almost every airline that operates in the northern hemisphere, I can easily say that air canada is the worst by a longshot, youll probably get treated better by your kidnappers 🤣

[@matthewwelsh294]

Lol Spirit Airlines wants a word with you