[Jasper and one o nin]

So, what else what the talk at the beer and bull?

[LO 044]

And as many of you know (that attended the beer and bull session with Jim and others) there is also another new airline announcement soon.

Now you can say....Promises...promises....
tuffyy does the new airline announcement = more competition for AC = increased AC service to LHR? Or are these two airline announcements unrelated... ...or should i say not in competition with eachother.

[Jasper and one o nin]

I would be happy if AC split London and Frankfurt. 4X LHR and 3X FKT

[Coldrsx]

tuffyy - i think i know where you are going...

[EdmTrekker]

For those with an interest: Montreal catchment area interesting. Amsterdam is 33 million people within 200km

http://www.therouteshop.com/

http://www.anna.aero/2008/11/28/us-carriers-still-growing-internationally-canada-still-1-destination-jfk-1-airport/

[LO 044]

Did someone say Amsterdam?

[EdmTrekker]

Did someone say Amsterdam?

Would be nice...but I see that the site link for AMS clicking new destinations sought...does not show any Canadian ones...

[dansk]

Would be nice...but I see that the site link for AMS clicking new destinations sought...does not show any Canadian ones...

Thing is airports don't choose the routes. Airlines do. Interesting site though.

[EdmTrekker]

It is interesting to see how/what some information other airports staate in promoting themselves. Example: Amsterdam...within 200KM there are 33 million people and in that circle AMS is the major airport...etc.

[oilfan]

Any news on frequencies/dates for YEG-HNL?

[Coldrsx]

from airliners.net

"Flyb From Canada, joined Aug 2006, 496 posts, RR: 0
Reply 7, posted Sat Nov 29 2008 08:52:49 your local time (3 days 7 hours 10 minutes ago) and read 3130 times:

From what i hear also there is another tx option on the way for yeg."


houston or dallas... YEG needs a tx connection badly

[EdmTrekker]

better Dallas and American...we had American serving us to Dallas years ago now that I recall. I took it to Dallas to connect onward on AA to Mobey mon!

[Jasper and one o nin]

I remember that AA flight to DFW/IAH
As I recall it started at YEG, picked up passengers at YYC then to DFW and ended up at IAH.
I took it about a half a dozen times in the late 80's, early 90's. Evertime the leg between YEG and YYC was practicly empty. Once it was just me, my mom and brother. My mom asked why they would even have this leg, and the flight attendant said, it was because it was cheaper to park for the night at YEG than at YYC

[lubicon]

I remember that AA flight to DFW/IAH
As I recall it started at YEG, picked up passengers at YYC then to DFW and ended up at IAH.
I took it about a half a dozen times in the late 80's, early 90's. Evertime the leg between YEG and YYC was practicly empty. Once it was just me, my mom and brother. My mom asked why they would even have this leg, and the flight attendant said, it was because it was cheaper to park for the night at YEG than at YYC

I used to take that flight quite often in the early 90's. I echo your comments, it was a very light passenger load in YEG and the plane almost always filled up in YYC. The only time I saw it full out of YEG was the day after the World Figure Skating Championships. A lot of this might have been due to the very early departure time (6 AM) which meant arriving at the airport at 4-4:30 for check in.

[ExcaliburKid]

So if the YEG leg was a turkey, why would they consider bringing it back?

[240glt]

Probably because a lot has changed since the early 90's

[ExcaliburKid]

Haha I knew that response was coming, but does that really justify it? Will the average Dallas resident or Edmontonian use that route? Or would it be strictly business?

[lubicon]

Haha I knew that response was coming, but does that really justify it? Will the average Dallas resident or Edmontonian use that route? Or would it be strictly business?

It's about connections. On the flights I took I would guess than somewhat less than 100% of the passengers had DFW as there destination judging by the lenghty list of connecting gates that they gave over the PA prior to landing.

[dansk]

With CO joining star Alliance I bet UA/CO or AC will jump on IAH when that come into effect in 2009.

[Jasper and one o nin]

Santa’s travel plans have nothing on EIA this holiday season

With more services and speed, EIA makes holiday travel easy

Edmonton, Alta. – To help ensure customers get to where they need to go as quickly and conveniently as possible, and to spread a little holiday-season cheer, Edmonton International Airport (EIA) will offer more of what you need to fly this holiday season.

Seasonal entertainment and services

In addition to two Kidzworld play areas, a special Santa’s Storyland with comfortable chairs, floor mats, books, DVDs and activities for kids will help entertain children and families in the south terminal departures lounge from Dec. 3 – Jan. 5.

To help families with young children and others who need assistance, two “Santa’s Sleigh” golf carts – decorated in holiday-season style – will shuttle travellers between departures gates during peak travel periods.

During the holiday season, seasonal decorations and live entertainment will create a festive, holiday-season atmosphere throughout the airport terminal.

More restaurants

The range of food and beverage options available to EIA customers continues to grow. In the past year, EIA added two new Starbucks, a second Tim Hortons and the brand-new, full-service Mountain Lodge Bar & Grill. In addition, Sbarro Restaurant, Jasper Bar & Grill and Montana’s Front Porch all underwent renovations and/or expansions. And there’s more to come. In the new year, a full-service Chili’s will open in the south terminal passenger lounge and Wok Box will add Asian-style flair to the food and beverage options available in the north terminal passenger lounge.

More parking

EIA added 1,000 parkade stalls to its parking operations in August and will add another 2,700 stalls in a temporary discount parking lot opening Dec. 15. EIA offers more parking per capita than any other major airport in Canada and will have ample room for all parking customers during the holiday season. The rate in the discount parking lot is $7 per day/$35 per week with shuttle bus service to the terminal. Regular parking rates, which are posted at www.flyeia.com, apply to all other parking services.

More speed

Pay & Go Parking - To save time, parking customers now can pre-pay for Value Park and Parkade by using one of four Pay & Go parking pay stations in the airport terminal. For a quicker exit leaving the lot, five express lanes are available for Pay & Go customers and those paying by credit card.

Web check-in - Check in from your home, hotel or office computer, and print off your boarding pass, or send it to your PDA, before you leave for the airport. Once you arrive, simply drop off your bags or head straight to security clearance when flying with carry-on luggage. Visit your airline’s website for this service, or go to flyeia.com for convenient links to airline websites.

Self-serve check-in - Check in faster and avoid line ups using one of our 28 self-serve kiosks located in the airport with access to most airlines. Check in your baggage, change seat selections, and print boarding passes. The kiosks are free, easy to use, and take only about 60 seconds per transaction.

More perks

Flying from your Edmonton International Airport has its perks. Choose to fly from EIA using one of our 50 non-stop destinations and take advantage of our great travel rewards. It's our way of putting a little more perk in your winter travel plans. For details, and to sign up, go to www.flyeia.com/rewards.

[LO 044]

EU, Canada To Liberalize Air Traffic Rules
December 9, 2008

All European Union airlines will be able to fly directly to Canada from anywhere in the bloc under a coming aviation deal that also scraps investment curbs in the sector, the EU's executive arm said on Tuesday.

EU Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani said the 27-nation bloc and Canada had made a breakthrough in talks on the agreement, which would remove restrictions on routes, prices and the number of weekly flights between Canada and the EU.

"The new agreement makes the EU-Canada market one of the most open in the world and is a milestone for EU-Canada relations," Tajani said in a statement.

Under the planned accord, EU nationals will be able to establish aviation operations in Canada and freely invest in Canadian airlines and vice versa.

The deal is also meant to ensure that EU and Canadian air carriers would not be discriminated against in access to local infrastructure or state subsidies.

It removes many hassles for air travellers. Transfer passengers, luggage and cargo are to be exempted from any additional security measures when traveling to and from Canada, the Commission said.

[Coldrsx]

so for YEG, what does this realistically mean... other than the obvious

[dansk]

1 flight probably to a European Hub.

[Coldrsx]

- frankfurt
- amsterdam

?

[Jasper and one o nin]

Maybe we start to see more destinations with fewer flights. 1X 2X or 3X weekly?

[LO 044]

Looks like Calgary gets 5x weekly YYC-AMS service with KLM.

Hey YEG insiders, does YEG get the other 2 flights per week to Amsterdam? Or is it strictly 5x weekly service to Calgary.

[S_B_Russell]

^Edmonton gets more flights to Calgary! Yeehaw!

[tarapoto]

Does this mean we could possibly see some new European airlines like Air France, SAS, LOT etc. begin service to YYC and/or YEG sooner, rather than later? Maybe even Iberia for real this time? Perhaps Virgin Atlantic?

[LO 044]

Here are the flight times for KLM's new YYC-AMS flight in case anyone is wondering.

Calgary service from May 2009.
Service 0perates with A330-200, 5 times a week.

KL677 AMS1520 - 1620YYC 332 x16
KL678 YYC1805 - 1055+1AMS 332 x16

[dansk]

SAS or LOT would be good options.

[LO 044]

SAS or LOT would be good options.
Both of these airlines (from what i've read on other forums) are not in the best financial shape. LOT had a disasterous foray into Beijing, and it doesn't help that their Boeing 787's keep on getting delayed by Boeing strikes. LOT has sold off all of their 762's and the few 763's that they have are all taken up on flights to YYZ, ORD, EWR and JFK.

I really think they should go after Air Berlin. They unleast have connections in Europe even though they aren't part of any alliances. And i believe they are a step above Air Transat.

I think Alberta is carved up by all the major airline alliances so i think our best bet is to go after charter or low-cost carriers. I don't know what type of incentives EIA can give to some of these airlines to make it worth their while. Perhaps reduced landing fees. If EIA does that, then that's all you can ask of them. There are literally no more incentives financially i believe.

[tuffyy]

The new Canada-EU agreement has alot of potential for all of us.

Anyway folks time to let you all know I am moving away....

I have taken a position with Aeropuertos del Sureste (ASUR) in Cancun working with the airport authority.We will be living in Akumal, Quintana Roo just between Cancun and Tulum And have purchased our new home.

It has been a great pleasure getting to know you all and I sincerley hope YEG continues to grow as it is and will...

Take care and NO MORE WINTERS!!!!Although Hurricanes can potentially suck...:yuck:

From my Family to yours take care...

Move date is DEC 17th.

[ExcaliburKid]

Congrats tuffyy! Now we need to find another YEG insider, thanks alot :P

[Bigtime]

Wow, congrats tuffyy! Cancun is a great airport, should be a fun job down there. Just try not to party too much on the hotel strip!

[LO 044]

Yeah you should have fun in Cancun. Enjoy watching that Cubana Yak-42 come in to the airport.

I'm sure other people on here will agree that after your official last day at YEG, you are free to provide us with all the information about YEG you weren't allowed to speak of before.:D

[tuffyy]

Been many times, and yes alot of fun can be had and the area's culture and history is also very interesting.

Actually a month ago while down for my ''meeting/interview'' I saw a Cubana IL-62 operating the CUN-HAV flight and then a Yak-42 the next day.The IL-62 and Yak-42 both fly the route along with the occasional A320.

SO many airlines to work with, although part of my job is with the route development team and puts me in charge of Canada/USA route development.

Yes much of the traffic is charter/tour operators although the airport is aggresively seeking scheduled service to several cities.Including several in Canada.;)

Really looking forward to it and I will post as many pictures as I can once we get settled to our new digs that is a european style 2 story condo that is brand new and is situated just a 10 minute walk to halfmoon bay.My wife will certainly enjoy the area as will my son.Heck so will I!!!!!

[EdmTrekker]

I have been in HNL for a while so may have missed any AC announcements of increased flights non-stop to LAS from YEG. But tonight I booked flights for March and April and the AC let me book tickets ($99.00) each way non-stop all days of the week (helped I had a bonus code from them so I am actually getting it for $69.00 each way!) Previosuly AC only flew from YEG nonstop on Thursday and Sunday. Anyone know when the daily NS went into effect and is it long term?

[Coldrsx]

CONGRATS TUFFYY!

we will all come and visit

[Jasper and one o nin]

Edmonton International Airport

Passenger Statistics for November 2008

Highlights

¨ Overall 498,542 passengers (November) and 5,894,063 (YTD)

¨ Domestic 374,199 passengers (November) and 4,708,871 (YTD)

¨ Transborder 89,340 passengers (November) and 849,824 (YTD)

¨ International 35,003 passengers (November) and 335,368 (YTD)


Growth%

¨ Overall 2.8% (November) and 6.1% (YTD)

¨ Domestic -3.1% (November) and 3.6% (YTD)

¨ Transborder 24.3% (November) and 15.4% (YTD)

¨ International 30.8% (November) and 21.8% (YTD)

[Coldrsx]

"¨ Transborder 24.3% (November) and 15.4% (YTD)

¨ International 30.8% (November) and 21.8% (YTD)
"


UNREAL

[S_B_Russell]

Crazy numbers. Remind me why E-town isn't getting more service?

[240glt]

WOW EIA is bucking the trend seen in almost every other airport that is for sure.

[dansk]

Nice to see the airport over there is doing great. Not many airports have trends like this especially over 6% for the year.

[CMD UW]

YEG...wow!!!!

[Rocket252]

The new Canada-EU agreement has alot of potential for all of us.

Anyway folks time to let you all know I am moving away....

I have taken a position with Aeropuertos del Sureste (ASUR) in Cancun working with the airport authority.We will be living in Akumal, Quintana Roo just between Cancun and Tulum And have purchased our new home.

It has been a great pleasure getting to know you all and I sincerley hope YEG continues to grow as it is and will...

Take care and NO MORE WINTERS!!!!Although Hurricanes can potentially suck...:yuck:

From my Family to yours take care...

Move date is DEC 17th.

Sorry to see you go but don't blame you. Just got back from PV and when we left it was 29C - when we landed it was -31C. My teeth almost fell out.

Thanks for all the info over the years and hopefully all of it will come to fruition.

[tuffyy]

Thanks,

I will continue to post on this site once we get settled in.And will be sure to post pictures from the area (especially on friggin cold days like now.);)

I will also be happy to post what I know once my ties here are safely cut...

For those who are curious this is were we bought, our suite is a 2 bedroom.It also 1077sq ft and not the 177sq ft it says on the tour...Pretty good deal in the mid $200's.Off course you get the neat features like ''hurricane shudders'', that was a little spooky to my wife.LOL

Offcourse we have purchased all of our new furniture in the area as taking our own was just way to hard...We also have bought 2 new vehicles as well its a hassle to bring your own...

Enjoy the tour...

http://www.coldwellbankerbroker.com/Listing/VirtualTour.ashx?listingid=1648319

[Coldrsx]

^when is my house warming invite going to come?

[240glt]

^^ Muy bonita!

[tuffyy]

If your ever coming down, give me a ring...;)

It wouldn't be the all-inclusive resort although you can get a good bottle of rum or tequila for $15cdn and call it one!

I was impressed when I walked into a ''liquors and drugs'' store in Akumal and got a bottle of appleton white rum for $15cdn as it sells here for almost $40...

Then we can always wonder into Cancun and hit CoCo Bongo, Just dont tell my wife.:tup:

[tarapoto]

If your ever coming down, give me a ring...;)

It wouldn't be the all-inclusive resort although you can get a good bottle of rum or tequila for $15cdn and call it one!

I was impressed when I walked into a ''liquors and drugs'' store in Akumal and got a bottle of appleton white rum for $15cdn as it sells here for almost $40...

Then we can always wonder into Cancun and hit CoCo Bongo, Just dont tell my wife.:tup:

I used to buy bottles of Finlandia and Malibu in China for like 12 bucks! I love alcohol prices in foreign countries. Even in the states it's cheap, I found a half gallon bottle of captain morgan's for 22 bucks in Illinois

[lubicon]

2008-12-17 10:24 ET - News Release

Ms. Gillian Bentley reports

HERE WE GROW AGAIN: WESTJET ADDS YELLOWKNIFE, SYDNEY, SAN FRANCISCO AND SAN DIEGO TO ITS EXPANDING NETWORK

WestJet Airlines Ltd. has added four new seasonal destinations, and new seasonal non-stop service to many Canadian and United States cities, as part of its 2009 enhanced summer schedule. The four new destinations expand WestJet's network to 55 cities across Canada, the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean.

New seasonal non-stop service between Edmonton and Yellowknife, and Toronto and Sydney, N.S., begins on May 4 and 5, 2009, respectively. WestJet will also launch new seasonal non-stop service between Calgary and San Diego on June 1, 2009, and between Calgary and San Francisco on June 2, 2009.

"These new destinations, along with expanded service to other Canadian and U.S. cities, are part of our ongoing efforts to bring our world-class guest experience to more and more travellers," said Bob Cummings, WestJet's Executive Vice-President of Guest Experience and Marketing. "Despite a challenging economic climate, we are undeterred in our strategy and will continue to position WestJet to become the market share leader in Canada by 2013.

[Coldrsx]

we get yellowknife and they get SFO and SD

woo

[lubicon]

Yellowknife will be daily (seasonal). Looking at Westjet's website they also indicate that they are making YEG-LAX (daily) year round rather than seasonal, and adding a 4th daily flight to Kelowna.

Ft Mac gets Vancouver and Toronto as well, both 1x daily.

[Rocket252]

I am extremely underwhelmed by Westjet's announcement.

Where is our New York non stop?

And Yellowknife! Give me a break.

And Calgary gets San Diego and San Fran.

Hmm Where should I go next year? Yellowknife or San Diego?

[Bigtime]

And Calgary gets San Diego and San Fran.

Hmm Where should I go next year? Yellowknife or San Diego?

I'd go to Yellowknife, but then again I've never been there.

[240glt]

^ I'm heading to Yellowknife early in the new year when my next big project gets going up there. I can't wait, This is one of the places I was really hoping I'd get to see.

adding a 4th daily flight to Kelowna

About frigging time. I am so tired of flying over Kelowna to Vancouver, then back again.

[Rocket252]

^ I have been there.

But I am cranky at the weather and the lousy business/leadership this city has.

so excuse my bitching

[lubicon]

Sure it's disappointing not to get some more U.S. destinations, but YEG is gaining 3 additional daily flights which is a step in the right direction. Let's hope they last.

[CMD UW]

Adding Yellowknife establishes another destination of which a large proportion of passengers will be connecting via YEG. This is a good thing folks.

[Jasper and one o nin]

^I dont see it increasing passengers to Edmonton, but rather providing another choice of airline for passengers.

[Edmonchuck]

Yellowknife is a GOOD thing. Trust me.

[itom 987]

A flight to Yellowknife from YEG means another nail on the YXD coffin, so yeah it is a good thing!

[IKAN104]

It is a good thing. But a flight to San Francisco would be better.

[rapid_business]

Did/Does Yellowknife currently have regular service to YXD?

[CanadianCentaur]

Did/Does Yellowknife currently have regular service to YXD?

YXD did have quite a few flights to Yellowknife prior to consolidation at YEG.

[Airboy]

I've traveled this route since the early 80's and have always used YEG. If you have to go further than YK you get hosed by CN and FA

[Jasper and one o nin]

Welcome aboard Airboy!

[Airboy]

Welcome aboard Airboy!

thanks been reading posts for the last year or so and decided it was time I add my 2 cent.

[CMD UW]

^I dont see it increasing passengers to Edmonton, but rather providing another choice of airline for passengers.I said nothing about a massive increase in passenger volumes, my comment had more to do with YEG adding another spoke into its hub....this is important.

[LO 044]

Anybody out there have any opinions (or insider info lol) about whether airfares will actually come down next year? I'm looking at the current Air Canada seat sale and the prices on certain flights have come down significantly, especially on their new flights next year like YUL-FCO and YUL-GVA.

YEG-FCO for example is down from about $2090 (on Expedia) to $1740 (on AC) and $1580 on AC (if YEG-YUL and YUL-FCO) booked seperately). I'm also curious about why the fare is different if booked seperately as shown above. Is this perhaps because the YEG-YUL fare (with no seat selection, 25% Aeroplan miles, no advance seat selection) is a Tango fare with the noted exclusions?

Some airlines around the world seem to be reducing/dropping their fuel surcharges and i'm curious if Air Canada will follow suit. AC usually has a seat sale in the spring for summer travel so i'm hesitant to book something this early on.

[TimB09]

My buddies and I just booked tickets(there and returning) to Tampa Bay in March on Air Canada. For the three of us, it cost us a total of $1159 for us. That's around $383 a person. I don't know about you guys but that sounds pretty cheap to me. It is on Air Canada Tango so that may be why it was cheaper.

Has anyone ever flown Air Canada Tango? I have never so any info on that flight would be helpful.

[dansk]

Air Canada Tango is no longer an Airline but a price code that Air Canada uses. You will be flying on Air Canada metal (or Jazz)

Regards,

[Greco Roman]

Air Canada Tango is no longer an Airline but a price code that Air Canada uses. You will be flying on Air Canada metal (or Jazz)

Regards,


See here is the thing. Westjet airplanes are much more comfortable than AC, however their pricing and scheduling is far less convenient than AC. I just booked a roundtrip flight from Edmonton to Winnipeg in July on AC for 285$, and on Westjet, that same trip on the same days would be well over 400$.

[Hawker]

See here is the thing. Westjet airplanes are much more comfortable than AC, however their pricing and scheduling is far less convenient than AC. I just booked a roundtrip flight from Edmonton to Winnipeg in July on AC for 285$, and on Westjet, that same trip on the same days would be well over 400$.

I'd disagree on the comfort thing if you are comparing AC mainline to Westjet, I think they are comparable, and I pretty much price shop back and forth. However, if you are flying AC Jazz, I understand why you would take a 737 over a small regional jet or turboprop. This is why I usually take Westjet when flyaing, say, between YYC and YXE.

[TimB09]

See here is the thing. Westjet airplanes are much more comfortable than AC, however their pricing and scheduling is far less convenient than AC. I just booked a roundtrip flight from Edmonton to Winnipeg in July on AC for 285$, and on Westjet, that same trip on the same days would be well over 400$.

Yup. We looked at Westjet and the flight was more expensive and took much longer. The AC flight is only 7 hours as the Westjet flight was 9 hours.

Comfort isn't a huge issue to me. The sooner we get to our destination, the better as far as I'm concerned.

Also, the flight times leaving from Edmonton to Tampa on Westjet were odd. AC was much much better for that too.

[jeremy_haak]

See here is the thing. Westjet airplanes are much more comfortable than AC, however their pricing and scheduling is far less convenient than AC. I just booked a roundtrip flight from Edmonton to Winnipeg in July on AC for 285$, and on Westjet, that same trip on the same days would be well over 400$.

I would have to disagree, the seat pitch is the same for both airlines, and the seat width is marginally in favour of Air Canada. Both have seatback inflight entertainment. The big difference for me though is the fabric - I hate sitting in a leather seat for long periods of time. The fabric seats on Air Canada breath much better and so I find them much more comfortable.

[Greco Roman]

I would have to disagree, the seat pitch is the same for both airlines, and the seat width is marginally in favour of Air Canada.

I guess I wasn't too clear; when I said AC, I meant AC Jazz, the tin can.

[drew]

^ I am 6'-4" and I actually prefer those new regional jets over the 737's. I find the leg room and overall seat space in the regional jets slightly better.

You want a tin can, try flying Perimeter somewhere. Those planes are called flying culverts for a reason.

[Greco Roman]

You want a tin can, try flying Perimeter somewhere. Those planes are called flying culverts for a reason.

I did, and Keystone aswell. Yes, those are true tin cans.

[dansk]

^ I am 6'-4" and I actually prefer those new regional jets over the 737's. I find the leg room and overall seat space in the regional jets slightly better.

You want a tin can, try flying Perimeter somewhere. Those planes are called flying culverts for a reason.

Agreed. I am the same height and many times the regional jets are more roomy.

[Rocket252]

I noticed the Mexicana were using A320s instead of the A319s on some of their flights.

Loads must be high.

[Coldrsx]

^good to hear, that is a very key route/connector for YEG to retain.

I noticed advertising for Sao Paulo through MEX... that would be fun.

[TheBronze-]

slightly OT, but I just booked flights to Bangkok for April29, returning June10 (YEG-YVR-ICN-BKK and BKK-ICN-SFO-YEG) with Air Canada flying YEG-YVR and United flying SFO-YEG, Korean Air for flights to ICN and BKK
Just a question, but anyone here flown Korean before? Never flown over the pacific before, and was wondering what to expect. Know its not for a little bit, but..

Also, my boyfriend and i made sure to connect through SFO instead of YVR-YYC as it was my other option that was sliighttly cheaper, boosting YEG transborder numbers ! Know its not too significant, but every little bit helps right? haha

[MalcolmTucker]

slightly OT, but I just booked flights to Bangkok for April29, returning June10 (YEG-YVR-ICN-BKK and BKK-ICN-SFO-YEG) with Air Canada flying YEG-YVR and United flying SFO-YEG, Korean Air for flights to ICN and BKK
Just a question, but anyone here flown Korean before? Never flown over the pacific before, and was wondering what to expect. Know its not for a little bit, but..

Also, my boyfriend and i made sure to connect through SFO instead of YVR-YYC as it was my other option that was slightly cheaper, boosting YEG transborder numbers ! Know its not too significant, but every little bit helps right? haha
Trans-pacific flights are fun. Enough time to get drunk, sleep for a full 8 hours, wake up and shave. Really good service if you've only done North American airlines before.

YVR-ICN will only be about 10 hours including taxi time, so shouldn't be too arduous. (depending on what rule Korean states for its distance to diversion airports, I know Singapore Air flew much further north than they needed to on both crossings for this reason)

I was on Singapore Airlines, so can't account for Korean, but I generally find http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Korean_Air/information.php really helpful in seat selection, and helping in choosing flight legs.

(for example, on Korean Air, most of the 777s & A330s don't have video on demand, or even seat back tvs in economy, whereas the 747s have at least seat back tvs, or VOD, and on combis, you can get economy class seats on the upper deck.)

From Great Circle Mapper (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/gc.kls2.com/)

http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gcmap?PATH=YEG-YVR-ICN-BKK,BKK-ICN-SFO-YEG&PATH-COLOR=red From
To
Initial
Heading
Distance
Time
3 segment path:

7889 mi 14:03
YEG (http://gc.kls2.com/airport/YEG) (53°18'35"N 113°34'47"W) YVR (http://gc.kls2.com/airport/YVR) (49°11'38"N 123°11'04"W) 239° (SW) 504 mi 0:54
YVR (http://gc.kls2.com/airport/YVR) (49°11'38"N 123°11'04"W) ICN (http://gc.kls2.com/airport/ICN) (37°28'09"N 126°27'02"E) 309° (NW) 5108 mi 9:06
ICN (http://gc.kls2.com/airport/ICN) (37°28'09"N 126°27'02"E) BKK (http://gc.kls2.com/airport/BKK) (13°40'52"N 100°44'50"E) 230° (SW) 2277 mi 4:03 3 segment path:

9098 mi 16:12
BKK (http://gc.kls2.com/airport/BKK) (13°40'52"N 100°44'50"E) ICN (http://gc.kls2.com/airport/ICN) (37°28'09"N 126°27'02"E) 39° (NE) 2277 mi 4:03
ICN (http://gc.kls2.com/airport/ICN) (37°28'09"N 126°27'02"E) SFO (http://gc.kls2.com/airport/SFO) (37°37'08"N 122°22'30"W) 48° (NE) 5658 mi 10:05
SFO (http://gc.kls2.com/airport/SFO) (37°37'08"N 122°22'30"W) YEG (http://gc.kls2.com/airport/YEG) (53°18'35"N 113°34'47"W) 18° (N) 1163 mi 2:04
Total:

16987 mi 30:15

[EdmTrekker]

slightly OT, but I just booked flights to Bangkok for April29, returning June10 (YEG-YVR-ICN-BKK and BKK-ICN-SFO-YEG) with Air Canada flying YEG-YVR and United flying SFO-YEG, Korean Air for flights to ICN and BKK
Just a question, but anyone here flown Korean before? Never flown over the pacific before, and was wondering what to expect. Know its not for a little bit, but..

Also, my boyfriend and i made sure to connect through SFO instead of YVR-YYC as it was my other option that was sliighttly cheaper, boosting YEG transborder numbers ! Know its not too significant, but every little bit helps right? haha

Hugs from this Edmontonboy for you and your BF helping build Edmonton Airport. Have a great trip!! Let us know how it all turns out.

[Hawker]

slightly OT, but I just booked flights to Bangkok for April29, returning June10 (YEG-YVR-ICN-BKK and BKK-ICN-SFO-YEG) with Air Canada flying YEG-YVR and United flying SFO-YEG, Korean Air for flights to ICN and BKK
Just a question, but anyone here flown Korean before? Never flown over the pacific before, and was wondering what to expect. Know its not for a little bit, but..

Also, my boyfriend and i made sure to connect through SFO instead of YVR-YYC as it was my other option that was sliighttly cheaper, boosting YEG transborder numbers ! Know its not too significant, but every little bit helps right? haha

Get all the sleep etc that you can before you hit SFO, because the last leg of that flight isn't on United, but on it's regional partner. I went SFO-YYC a couple of years ago, AC on the way down, but the United flight on the way back, and it was pretty bad...bad service in the airport, having to walk down to the tarmac and across to get on the plane, then no media (tv or audio) and no meal service on a couple hour flight on a regional jet.

[KrisYYC]

Get all the sleep etc that you can before you hit SFO, because the last leg of that flight isn't on United, but on it's regional partner. I went SFO-YYC a couple of years ago, AC on the way down, but the United flight on the way back, and it was pretty bad...bad service in the airport, having to walk down to the tarmac and across to get on the plane, then no media (tv or audio) and no meal service on a couple hour flight on a regional jet.

Yep, I would have opted for the YVR-YYC flight myself. UA is garbage.

I bet a lot of Canadians stop bitching about AC once they've flown on a short-haul US airline flight.

[Rocket252]

Unfortunately that is the only service YEG has out of SFO.

No Mainline service.

I have flown that flight and it is barebones - no services at all.

[dansk]

I have flown the YEG - SFO many times. Not a bad route. Sure it is United but it isn't that bad. It is on a CRJ-700 with Economy Plus and "Business".

The route is well serviced with three times daily. I would have flown through YVR if I were you though instead of SFO.

[rapid_business]

Korean is pretty decent. I've flown with them a couple times, but it's been a couple years since the last time.

[sdimedru]

just got back from dom.republic from vacationing in Punta Cana.... flew direct on an Air Transat A330-300

What an awesome plane!... granted I don't fly very often, but I had lots of leg room, comfy seats and it was a quiet and smooth ride... much better experience than I had ever remembered

is this consistent with anyone else who's flown on this type of aircraft?

(pretty big plane too... 350pax maybe?)

[KrisYYC]

just got back from dom.republic from vacationing in Punta Cana.... flew direct on an Air Transat A330-300

What an awesome plane!... granted I don't fly very often, but I had lots of leg room, comfy seats and it was a quiet and smooth ride... much better experience than I had ever remembered

is this consistent with anyone else who's flown on this type of aircraft?

(pretty big plane too... 350pax maybe?)

It's totally dependent on the airline, some airlines cram airplanes with seats while others space them out a bit more. Only the noise level and cabin size perception varies depending on aircraft type.

One of the most uncomfortable planes I've ever been on was a JAL 747, but that's because JAL hammers seats into their aircraft.

[Bigtime]

I always thought that Air Transat made a 'sardine can' out of most of the planes in regards to how many seats they cram on them.

Personally I quite like the A330, a nice plane and pretty quiet if you are lucky enough to be flying up in front of the engines.

[Coldrsx]

i took a 330 with AT to Jamaica last spring and found it quiet nice as well given it is a "packem in" business model

[Rocket252]

AT has added a few inches of legroom and thus reduced the number of seats on their planes. It has made for a more pleasurable flight.
The 330 is a nice plane - we had the opportunity of flying it from the Dominican on club class and it was great - well worth the extra $150 each way.

[alexis]

One of the most uncomfortable planes I've ever been on was a JAL 747, but that's because JAL hammers seats into their aircraft.


Well, that's not strictly true, it's a matter of perspective...your average Japanese is shorter than your average North American, so they can fit more seats in whilst still having the same amount of leg room, proportional to the length of the leg. You should see the old JAL 747SR's used entirely on the domestic market...they had quite a few additional rows purely for this reason...very few non Japanese on domestic flights.

But this is just one of the things you need to be aware of when travelling outside of your own country..personally I think it makes flying all the more fun. You should try flying around Africa..that's when the fun really starts ;) Forget about seat back tv..you're lucky to get seat backs period!

Not sure if the seat guru website would mention the less legroom with Japanese airlines, but I have found it to be invaluable in general. If you've never flown on a particular airline or on a particular type of aircraft it is a must to check out.

There are similar sites for Airline meals, although within North America, that only applies to Business and First Class nowadays.

[alexis]

I noticed the Mexicana were using A320s instead of the A319s on some of their flights.

Loads must be high.

When was that?

I have an SBS and with the exception of a 3 or 4 weeks in the last year, including Christmas, I have picked up every Mexicana aircraft in, and with the exception of the 18/19 June last year, when it was an A318, it has been an A319 every flight.

However, the codes used in Mexico have a habit of being wrong, so I'd love to know any corrections.

btw, have any of their new scheme aircraft been in yet?

Cheers
Alexis

[Coldrsx]

anyone know how the loads are doing on MEX?

[KrisYYC]

Well, that's not strictly true, it's a matter of perspective...your average Japanese is shorter than your average North American, so they can fit more seats in whilst still having the same amount of leg room, proportional to the length of the leg. You should see the old JAL 747SR's used entirely on the domestic market...they had quite a few additional rows purely for this reason...very few non Japanese on domestic flights.

But this is just one of the things you need to be aware of when travelling outside of your own country..personally I think it makes flying all the more fun. You should try flying around Africa..that's when the fun really starts ;) Forget about seat back tv..you're lucky to get seat backs period!

Not sure if the seat guru website would mention the less legroom with Japanese airlines, but I have found it to be invaluable in general. If you've never flown on a particular airline or on a particular type of aircraft it is a must to check out.

There are similar sites for Airline meals, although within North America, that only applies to Business and First Class nowadays.

Trust me I've flown on many many airlines from many many countries. And I'm 5'6" ;)

Seat counter is ok, if you're flying standby you need to be careful with it though. Modern yield management software used by the major airlines means it can often show open seats in all classes even though the flight is nearly full.

[tuffyy]

Hola everyone!

Well I am back in the city for a few days as we prepare to handoff the keys to our old digs as we have managed to sell our Edmonton condo.

I see we havent missed much in the weather department! Lots of snow now aswell that wasnt really here when we left.Akumal has been great and it took just a few days for us settle in.The weather has been great as usual, we also found out that when it rains in the Yucatan it is the definition of a downpour...

The wife is still adjusting to the unique visitors we have visit our patio on a nightly basis.We have had moths that are as big as bats (and I am not kidding!) aswell as little gecko's that seem to find there way into our house only to have me get the word to remove them back outside.LOL...

I am amazed by the locals who are very friendly and the number of ex-pats from Canada and the U.S living in the area.We have 2 Canadian couples in our building that made us feel very welcome upon moving in.

The new job is going well and gives me a typical work schedule,although the drive to the airport sometimes gets interesting with all the tour buses and other traffic.I am still adjusting to the drive past the military check points and I have so far not been pulled over by the policia which is something I feared after hearing rumors of them ''bartering'' with you.Although I have been assured by our new friends that its just a myth.

I flew back CUN-MEX-YEG on Click by mexicana then the Mexicana mainline flight to YEG.I can tell you the flight was full coming from MEX.Pretty good service aswell.We flew down on Mexicana aswell and the flight was also full,this route was doing well from the start so I am not surprised.

Thats about it for now, and we are still waiting to get internet set up at the new home, everything is done ''in a mexican minute'' and its not a minute!

Once we get it up I will start keeping in touch and perhaps post some pics.

For now I just need to keep warm, and remember ''home'' is warm...

Never thought I would be saying that.