Westjet Or Air Canada

[ddawg]

I need help. I can't decide. If we take Westjet we get to Orlando 2 1/4 hours later but it is direct and we won't have to go through Pearson . What would you do?
My dh would like to get there earlier, but I am dreading the change of plane at Pearson. The price is the same.

 

[drag n' fly]

I would always choose Westjet over AC anyday. If you can clear customs ahead of time with a direct flight grab it!

 

[Puccaw]

I would still want to go direct.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I need help. I can't decide. If we take Westjet we get to Orlando 2 1/4 hours later but it is direct and we won't have to go through Pearson . What would you do?
My dh would like to get there earlier, but I am dreading the change of plane at Pearson. The price is the same.

You don't say where you are located, but we'd suggest looking at travelling on a US carrier as another option. They're usually MUCH cheaper than Canadian carriers and you usually clear customs at your departing airport (eg. Edmonton, Calgary, etc)

 

[wee-haggis]

Go Westjet Direct.
If both Air Canada and Westjet are the same price -- Westjet wins!

 

[abirdd]

WestJet direct any day.
Remind DH that although AC *may* get in earlier according to the flight schedule, they do not have the best track record for on time arrivals or departures. Can make connections fun, to say the least. Not to mention if you can avoid Pearson, do it!!

 

[OntFamily]

You don't say where you are located, but we'd suggest looking at travelling on a US carrier as another option. They're usually MUCH cheaper than Canadian carriers and you usually clear customs at your departing airport (eg. Edmonton, Calgary, etc)

US Carriers are not the only carriers that can take advantage of US pre-clearance facilities. Almost any carrier is able to take advantage of this option (including all Westjet / AC flights).

 

[OntFamily]

I need help. I can't decide. If we take Westjet we get to Orlando 2 1/4 hours later but it is direct and we won't have to go through Pearson . What would you do?
My dh would like to get there earlier, but I am dreading the change of plane at Pearson. The price is the same.

Regardless of airline / airport, if your option is a direct flight, or one that requires a change in flights, your best option is always the direct flight.

There is a lesser of a chance of the flight being late (as you'll have fewer flights to be concerned about) due to weather, etc.

 

[tone.def]

West Jet... and you get AirMiles!

 

[grantclaire]

I would vote for Westjet they have better customer service, they have free seat selection, seatback TVs. I have flown twice in Canada with them and are flying WJ to Orlando for March Break.

 

[MikeyNS]

All things being equal I'd go direct with ANY airline. Even if it had a rubber band powered propeller and some patio chairs held down with duct tape I'd go direct.

 

[OnMedic]

Regardless of airline / airport, if your option is a direct flight, or one that requires a change in flights, your best option is always the direct flight.

There is a lesser of a chance of the flight being late (as you'll have fewer flights to be concerned about) due to weather, etc.

Unless you are watch/counting segments! If I am close to status on AC or AK I will force a multiple connection trip. I think this answers that question from my perspective... Westjet has no FF program or status, so I choose A/C or *A partner unless price is significantly less on an alternative carrier.

 

[laxcdn]

We go in just 11 days and we are taking Westjet with from Wpg to To to Orlando. The stop over breaks up the flight for my son and they have tv's to keep him busy. Plus they are usually cheaper and the staff are younger, joke around and more fun.

 

[yxe dad]

Westjet!!! I fly with them to MCO in 48 days.

 

[PurpleEars]

My 2 cents:

I would much rather take the direct flight for 2 reasons: less chance for them to lose my luggage (we had luggage that missed the connection somehow and we had to wait 4 days to get it) and less chance for me to miss the connection due to delays.

With all things being equal, I would choose Westjet over Air Canada any day.

I also avoid the Pearson airport like the plague.

 

[chanty]

I'm flying WestJet this year from Ottawa direct... will let you know how it went! My first time direct fun fun fun!!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

US Carriers are not the only carriers that can take advantage of US pre-clearance facilities. Almost any carrier is able to take advantage of this option (including all Westjet / AC flights).

We are aware of that, however, for those of us not located in either Toronto or Calgary, we have to fly to either of those cities, collect our baggage and then go through customs there. By flying on a US carrier from our home airport (for us Edmonton), we check our bags just once, and clear customs right away - which is one less hassle for us, especially with tight connection times. Plus we found there are more options for flight times than with WJ or AC.

As well, not all Canadian airports offer the US pre-clearance facilities for Canadian carriers.

 

[Echie]

I agree, if both AC and Westjet are the same price, I'd go with the Westjet that flies direct - direct is always better.

We had the same dilema, although it came down to price with us, westjet was cheaper so we went with them (we have to change flights in Toronto regardless).

 

[ddawg]

I just wanted to thank you for helping me with my decision. I booked Westjet.

 

[AndyMcV]

I've heard many good things about WJ. I've always had to fly AC with my work and they were ok, just ok.

Our last trip to WDW we flew AC simply because my Dad was able to send the 4 of us on his aeroplan miles. It wasn't easy to get a good flight and direct was out of the question (as none were available). We flew Toronto to North Carolina to MCO and the same way back. The fights down were ok but the flight back from NC to Toronto was aweful. The air conditioning or air flow on the plane was broken and did not work and the fight attendant was a real jerk. Not very friendly and she did not try and help as we all cooked. That was a fun flight with a little 5 year old who was turning green from the turbulance and the 90 degree weather inside the plane and the flight attendant who didn't care.

I personally thought my next flight would be either WestJet or Southwest. I think AC has some tuning to do with it's customer service and flight costs.

If I were you I'd fly WestJet direct no question.

A.