Westjet - Pricing Themselves Out OF The Market ?

[wee-haggis]

As much as I love Westjet, their recent prices (other than the odd special deal) is right up there with AC in gouging. Now, I do realize that a large portion of the blame has to be placed on the shoulders of our governments (due to ridiculous taxes and fees). Its no surprise that the inflated prices are more evident during the peak times, but its the extent of the extra costs that annoys me (its not just $80 or $100....its $200-$400 !).
For the times I want to go (in early December), the prices are $520 on AC,$505 on WJ.......and $183 on SWA from BUF......all CAN$).
When I can save $1288 for my family of 4 to fly SWA, I am quite prepared to give up my personal TV,little snack and 2 hours less travelling time (drive to BUF).
I wonder how long it will take (at least for the flights out of Toronto......I know this is no help to westerners and down east) before they realize that the numbers are increasing daily in passengers shuffling off to you know where !

 

[coastgirl]

Oh, it's relevant here too, at least for some of us who are die-hard bargain-seekers. The WJ half-off sale was still over $500 pp for us from YHZ-MCO. Taxes and fees are what really get me, when the prices look decent. (I'd pay $300 return happily, for saving the 20-hr round trip drive + hotel.) But yeah, for the leisure market, you'd think they'd find a way to make it cheaper. Even if it was a tiny isolated seat-sale for those of us who are willing to work at it to look for or wait for a good price. At least it would give us hope instead of building loyalty with SW or Continental!

 

[webworm]

You indicated early December and you can get fares from Buffalo - Orlando for $69.00 and non stop flights as well. Total is $158.80US including taxes.
An example is below:

Depart Dec 06 Thu N/S BUF-MCO 990 Depart Buffalo (BUF) at 1:15 PM
Arrive in Orlando (MCO) at 4:00 PM
Return Dec 12 Wed N/S MCO-BUF 443 Depart Orlando (MCO) at 2:45 PM
Arrive in Buffalo (BUF) at 5:20 PM

Total $128.38 $16.42 $9.00 $5.00 $158.80

 

[drag n' fly]

The reality is they cannot compete with airlines like SW. The majority of the Canadian population does not have the option of flying Southwest. They charge regular prices until their load reaches a certain limit then they seat sale. It is usually right after a AC seat sale, one always follows the other. They will always be able to fill seats at a regular price because their is enough disposable income and increase their load with a seat sale. It is the flights that make them money. Where you get a good deal with Westjet is if you book more than a flight with them.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

The majority of the Canadian population does not have the option of flying Southwest.

No, but some of us are lucky to have access to other US carriers, which are still cheaper than WJ or AC. For our past few trips to Orlando, we've been able to get great deals on flights from Edmonton on Northwest ($245 pp return, $220 pp return). Granted we don't go during peak times which helps.

If we were to fly WJ or AC our costs would easily be at least double that, plus we've found their flight choices are definitely "crappy" compared to the US carriers. Also flying on a US carrier, we are able to go through customs here in Edmonton rather than flying to Toronto, collecting our luggage and going through customs and rechecking our luggage.

We too are more than happy to give up our personal TV and snacks for the savings on airfare and better flight availability.

 

[Waiting]

I have been looking at driving to Bangor from Sydney NS. Still cheaper than flying out of Halifax.

 

[coastgirl]

I have been looking at driving to Bangor from Sydney NS. Still cheaper than flying out of Halifax.

If you're going to drive to Bangor you might as well keep going and fly out of Manchester, NH. It's about 3 hrs beyond Bangor. I've been watching for fares from BGR and I've heard that sometimes they go really low, but from MHT you have a lot more choices and it's much cheaper. JMO, but we've done the drive to Manchester (from New Glasgow, a couple of hours closer than Sydney). You'd probably still need an overnight somewhere--but do try searching MHT as an airport as well as BGR. (SW flies from MHT.) And it's a great little airport, I'd do it again to be sure.

 

[drag n' fly]

No, but some of us are lucky to have access to other US carriers, which are still cheaper than WJ or AC. For our past few trips to Orlando, we've been able to get great deals on flights from Edmonton on Northwest ($245 pp return, $220 pp return). Granted we don't go during peak times which helps.

If we were to fly WJ or AC our costs would easily be at least double that, plus we've found their flight choices are definitely "crappy" compared to the US carriers. Also flying on a US carrier, we are able to go through customs here in Edmonton rather than flying to Toronto, collecting our luggage and going through customs and rechecking our luggage.

We too are more than happy to give up our personal TV and snacks for the savings on airfare and better flight availability.

The only thing I do not like about NW is they have no direct flights from Calgary. With three kids that can make a 12-13 hour day.....no thanks we will pay extra for direct flights. With direct flights we clear customs in Calgary and relax!!!

 

[SplashMom]

I have been looking at driving to Bangor from Sydney NS. Still cheaper than flying out of Halifax.

It depends on the time of year you are travelling. I don't mind driving in good weather but that long a drive in March is too unpredictable for me. We are flying Westjet on Airmiles but if you are flexible, there are some deals that pop up every now and then. I got an email from Westjet within the past few days and it was around $350 out of Moncton. Moncton is not much more of a drive than Halifax so we often check there as well. I didn't check the flight--there may have only been 1 seat at a terrible time, who knows That's usually the case. Check daily--sometimes reasonable deals come up! Good luck.