What I find frustrating flying from Edmonton is that the airport is trying to encourage people to fly from this airport instead of driving down to Calgary for a flight from there (if you aren't from Edmonton, you might find this strange, but this is a huge advertisement strategy going on right now). However, I have found some great flights, direct, if I drive the 3 hours to Calgary instead of paying way more money to fly from Edmonton, with more layovers.
For instance, last time we flew to Orlando, we drove to Calgary because their flights were on average $200 cheaper per person. I took my husband and step-son that time, and with gas and parking, it still saved us $500. A no brainer in my book. Plus, we got through customs in Calgary, not having to deal with the Toronto airport, and our lay-overs were less than an hour each. Awesome.
However, I have to give it to the Edmonton airport trying to get better flights. I've noticed a change in the amount of options. We just booked today a flight to Orlando for my sister and me for May. We got a return flight for $397 on a Continental flight. Its on their big birds too (Boeing 747), so, as per their website, these are the upgraded planes, and I should be content with that. I kind of have anxiety/ADHD and can't sit still in a plane for a long time, which is why in-flight entertainment is so important to me!
Our layover with this flight is in Houston, and is only 1 hour on the departing flight, and only 1.25 hrs on the return flight. All AC and WJ flights were like 4.5 hrs in Toronto.
And did you know with continental that you can pre-pay for your checked bags online and save a couple bucks???
Fast forward....We ended up having to postpone our trip due to financial obligations, but rescheduled for this Februray. I looked all the time for decent priced flights with good schedules, nothing to be found....then one day WJ had a $199 direct flight from EDMONTON!! Yes, it is a red eye, depart at 12:45 am, but we get in at 7:45 am to Orlando and have a full day at Disney to enjoy! I was happy just to find a flight that was affordable, direct and from Edmonton!! No need for a 3 hr. drive to Calgary, yippeee!!! So, I snagged 2 of those flights and then used Aeroplan miles for our return flights as we could not find a good price/schedule for return with WJ./QUOTE]
I have never seen a red eye direct from west jet...I'll have to keep my eyes open. I would so be all over that. I hate having to make connections, but, alas, thats the price I pay for living in Edmonton.
I know Shir Kahn, that's just what my son said to me last night when I lost it.....you should copy your post!!! 
I don't know if it is the time of yr. or what, but I got a red eye, direct flight to Orlando this February (Depart Feb 5 at 12:45 am arr. Orlando at 7:45 am West Jet) leaving out of Edmonton.....
I could have gotten a return flight direct from Orlando back, but the schedules weren't as great.... so we chose AC's departing flight at 10:00 am, with a short 1hr 50min layover in TO, just enough time to clear customs, I hope!!! 
