Make me feel better about using Air Canada

[sheilag]

If I have a choice to not fly Air Canada, I do so. One family vacation to WDW, we flew through Toronto from Ottawa - that necessitated us clearing customs in TO. Our flight out of Ottawa ran late. We RAN thru customs,and to gate - were first in line at gate, only to learn we'd been "bumped" - our tickets given away to a stand-by passenger because someone had determined we couldn't make the flight in time. Months later, letters back and forth to customer service and the ombudsman, we finally got our out-of-pocket expenses back (night in hotel at WDW, one day on park ticket, prepaid meal Cindy's castle - that's right, we had a spot, and lost it) - no extra compensation, nothing - just a lot of headache and turmoil and a very disappointed 3 year old in tears at Toronto airport.

I just flew back using Delta - went much better. Cleared customs in Detroit and avoided Toronto altogether!

 

[epicureangirl]

I don't think Air Canada is horrible, I just feel ROBBED when I fly to California or Orlando with them. I know it's not an option for everyone, but I often drive to the US (in my case Seattle), enjoy a night in a great hotel and still save HUNDREDS (for my family of 4) to fly to Disney. For our last California trip we saved about $900, and for Orlando it is almost $2000. For just a 2 and a half hour drive, it is really worth it for us. Shocking, isn't it?

 

[Little Miss Liberty]

Well it sounds like it's really is a hit or miss and I'm really only flying with them because I'm saving money. Thanks for everyones replys.

 

[natcat]

We were suppose to have a direct flight, 4 hours there and return with Air Canada and paid extra for it.......we ended up spending 6 extra hours in Montreal on the way back. We opted to pay more for the direct because I am disabled. I complained to Air Canada but they in no way compensated us and would not give us a lower rate........grrrr!
I really hope that you do fair better because everyone deserves a wonderful problem free vacation when you are willling to shell out the money.

 

[Tantor]

Air Canada, Air transat whoever....they all have good days and bad...I have flown so many different airlines all over the world and they all have their own problems really.

very true
We have had problems with many other airlines, I really don't think it matters which ones you fly.

 

[cey]

Sorry that I don't have anything positive to say about Air Canada! Way too many bad experiences. We have had our share of flight delays, lost baggage etc with other airlines and that is just part of the travel experience. Air Canada however goes out of its way to inflict high prices, poor service, flight connection cancellations that involve 6 hour delarys and way too many examples of poor service. The final straw was when I watched their uncaring attitude towards a young mother with a child in a stroller when they told her she would have to spend the night in the airport, when they cancelled her flight! The poor young girl was in tears and they wouldn't even help her with her luggage! Westjet has my vote for the best Canadian airline. So far nothing but good experiences. I will be hoping for a good experience for you and that you may be the exception to the rule. Sending LOTS of pixie dust your way!

 

[disneyfan2]

Westjet has my vote for the best Canadian airline. So far nothing but good experiences.

I agree! Never had a problem, but if something did go wrong(flight change etc) I have every confidence that Westjet would be great!

 

[NARM Forever]

I've had many minor irritations with Air Canada over my years in Canada but experienced the same with British Airways and others in Europe. The lack of choice means that Canadians are almost forced to use Air Canada at some time or other and therefore you are more likely to hear complaints.

In general they are a reasonable airline but like any large organisation they have their share of unreasonable "more than my jobs worth" employees. Kudos for Westjet for taking advantage of it.

NARM

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

I have flown AC internationally many times this year and always business class and the service has always been very hit and miss. I have booked this trip 3 1/2 tickets on points - long story, believe me you do not want to hear it but the service I have received from Aeroplan is very typical of Air Canada employees - the "can't do it" attitude that is so not in the Westjet code. I travel AC merely because of the points, certainly not the attitude or the service. Don't worry though, like everyone says problems happen on every airline, and it's about the destination anyway... hope all goes well.. with all of our flights.

 

[OnMedic]

I have flown many airlines in the past few years... (AC, Delta, AA, Continental, Spirit, WestJet, NWA, United, JetBlue, US Airways). I have had some amazing experiences on some, and some unpleasant ones on otheres. What I will say is this... A/C is probably in the upper tier of these in terms my experiences, with our most recent being some of the better with refurbished XM aircraft and very pleasant staff. My first choice will be A/C, followed by Star Alliance parnters due to FF Miles into the Aeroplan program and FF Status, but only if any price variance to support isn't rediculous, at which point I will choose a partner of Alaska Aitlines (which seems to be almost everyone else outside Star Alliance) followed by a LCC if the price is unbeleivably low.

 

[drag n' fly]

I have flown many airlines in the past few years... (AC, Delta, AA, Continental, Spirit, WestJet, NWA, United, JetBlue, US Airways). I have had some amazing experiences on some, and some unpleasant ones on otheres. What I will say is this... A/C is probably in the upper tier of these in terms my experiences, with our most recent being some of the better with refurbished XM aircraft and very pleasant staff. My first choice will be A/C, followed by Star Alliance parnters due to FF Miles into the Aeroplan program and FF Status, but only if any price variance to support isn't rediculous, at which point I will choose a partner of Alaska Aitlines (which seems to be almost everyone else outside Star Alliance) followed by a LCC if the price is unbeleivably low.

With all fairness AC deserves some credit. You are right we have flown on the nice planes and they are nice. It still does not make up for crappy customer service. Morale is low at AC and it reflects in it's employees. Westjet has put the customer back in customer service!

 

[wee-haggis]

Our so called "National Airline" is (for the most part) a disgrace.
What boggles my mind is they were voted the top airline in North America by one of these independent Travel magazines in 2007!

Westjet customer service is vastly superior. The only problem is their prices are creeping up and up to the extent where more and more are shuffling off to Buffalo.

If only more airlines from Pearson would offer $29 each way flights (ala Sunwing...during November),then full planes would be guaranteed each and every time.

 

[drag n' fly]

The secret to flying Westjet is to watch AC seat sales. As soon as AC has one WJ follows within a couple days. You can fly WJ cheap if you just watch for the sales. Not as cheap as Buffalo but pretty good for flying out of CAD.

 

[OnMedic]

If only more airlines from Pearson would offer $29 each way flights (ala Sunwing...during November),then full planes would be guaranteed each and every time.

and... ala JetsGo.

There is a cost to do business, and this cost has risen steadly over the pas 10 years... ie Barrel of Oil in 1998 under $12.00. Recent pricies are fluctuating around $88.00. Airport Taxes have skyrocketed in Canada, with Pearson being the most expensive Airport inthe world to land a Commercial plane.

I think that the LCC are in part a barrometer of the Cost to run such a business, but competition is another factor for which I think we are lacking in Canada.