Air Canada Economy vs Executive YYZ-YVR

[disneymath]

So airfare prices are crazy ... and now YVR (Vancouver) has apparently taken over YYZ (Toronto) as the most expensive airport to fly from. We're still trying to figure out flights to get to YVR for our DCL Alaska Cruise in August. And honestly, the difference between economy and executive class fares doesn't seem so "ridiculous" all things considered.

Okay, so to get to the point up front ... based on your travel experiences is it worth it to bite the bullet and go with executive class flights? If so, would you recommend the suite style or the regular style?

If you're interested in the options we've narrowed down, read on (we are a party of 3 adults):

1. Drive from home to Toronto (8+ hours each way), overnight in an airport hotel, fly YYZ to YVR ECONOMY class (right now, it's about $270 pp before taxes etc.). Repeat for the return flight - complete with overnight in Toronto on the way home. Even with the extra hotel rooms, gas and meals, this will likely still be the cheapest option. The downside is all the extra travel and potential for things to go wrong.

2. Fly from home to YVR connecting in YYZ ECONOMY class - right now it's about $570 pp before taxes etc. EACH way. This would be the next cheapest option, and eliminates the extra travel days. The downside is being stuck in crowded airplane seats for a total of 7 hours in one day in each direction. (Plus it irks me that it costs more to fly between two cities in Ontario than it does to fly across the country.)

3. Fly from home to YVR connecting in YYZ EXECUTIVE class (lowest) - right now its about $825 pp before taxes etc. EACH way. Clearly the most expensive option, but it is somewhat appealing since we would have the extra space on the 5 hour flights between YVR and YYZ. Depending on the flights we choose, the executive class cabin could be either the suite style (chair turns into flat sleep surface) or the typical type. (I should note that the price for executive class does not change if we fly from home or just from YYZ ... this is probably b/c executive class isn't available on the flight segment from home to YYZ.)

FWIW, I've been checking Westjet prices too and so far they are on par with Air Canada's ... maybe a little cheaper, but since WJ does not fly out of our hometown, we could only use them if we go with Option #1.

 

[aristocat65]

I would go with executive first anyday over coach - if you can afford it. I don't know if it's my imagination or not, but the seats back there seem to get smaller and closer together all the time. (It could be because our once "little" boy is now 6 feet and 200lbs and has to be wedged into the seat between us)

Make sure that you are all signed up for Aeroplan so that you get mileage credit if you are not already. I'm not too familiar with Air Canada's mileage credit, but I know that when we've flown first on Alaska and Continental we got 150% mileage credit. Every little bit helps towards those future trips
Another advantage is that you'll be able to use the Maple Leaf Lounge at YYZ during your layover and at YVR on your return. You can also sometimes get a priority security line up if you're in Executive/First - varies by airport.

One warning though: Don't get too set on what type of aircraft will be on your route as far as the seating. AC does sometimes change the aircraft on you and you may not get the pod (flat bed) you were planning on. Either way you'll have a much more pleasant trip.

 

[disneymath]

So ... I actually "clicked through" to get the final prices (including taxes and fees) for the 3 of us ...

Option #1 (YYZ-YVR economy return) $2380.17
Option #2 (home-YVR economy return) $4309.08
Option #3 (home-YVR executive - on the YYZ-YVR legs - return) $5902.08


It looks like opiton #1 will be our choice - even with gas/food/overnights, it will not cost us $2000 to drive to/from Toronto.

As much as flying from home (and potentially with executive class segments) would be a treat, the idea of spending two thousand dollars to fly between home and Toronto on a turboprop plane is just hard to swallow.

(There's still time to hope for a seat sale from either home or YYZ, and both Air Canada and Westjet have many daily flights between YYZ and YVR. Personally, I hope Porter Airlines decides to expand into our region in the near future ... we really need some competition for AC.)

 

[TagsMissy]

good choice op... I don't bother with executive for anything that doesn't span crossing over a vast body of water. For a 4 or 5 hour trek or shorter it just isn't worth it to me. Flying to Europe or Asia however give me me business class if I can afford it!

 

[aristocat65]

Sounds like a good choice. I'm all over First/Executive class, but I'm usually trying to use miles to get it. $2000 -$3000 is a lot of money that could be used for excursions in Alaska. (Or put towards a Disney vacation)

 

[drag n' fly]

Dh just flew from Calgary to Beijing executive. Even with all the perks he still didn't feel it was worth it.

 

[disneymath]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I've actually flown overseas twice in economy class (my mom once), so we know the 4-5 hours to Vancouver will be okay. My dad has never flown that long in one segment, but figures he'll be fine. (I'm planning to book so we can all sit three together ... I know this means selecting flights carefully and hoping that the plane doesn't change, but it's so much easier to relax if you're beside people you know.)

The one and only time we've flown executive was on our trip to WDW in August 2009 ... we lucked into ridiculous fares from home on the way down. Economy was $384 (typical) and executive was only $399. For that price, executive was SO worth it! For the flight home, executive was over $1000 so back to economy we went!