Low-Cost Airline Sets Sights on Prince George
Prince George, B.C. – A low-cost airline has set its sights on Prince George.
Canada Jetlines is based in Richmond and president David Solloway says it’s all part of a service they hope to have up and running this summer.
“We plan to start service in Canada and then expand service to the United States and some spots in North America including Mexico and Central America.”
He says they’ll be meeting with officials from YXS next week.
“I think Prince George is an excellent example of a market that is underserved. Most notably in Prince George there isn’t any jet service there.”
Solloway says the no frills airline plans to offer flights 30% to 40% cheaper than what is currently available and says similar low cost carriers have been successful in other jurisdictions.
“The ultra-low cost model is a proven model throughout the world. And Canada is actually the last G8 country that doesn’t have a low fare alternative airline.”
He says Jetlines will feature “a lean staffing model, all economy with higher seat density.”
In addition Solloway says they’ll unbundle their services.
“For example we sell you a seat belt and a seat and if you’d like anything in addition to that it would be an additional charge. At the same token you don’t have to pay for anything that you don’t use.”
He says they’ve already hired around 35 people and plan to hire more next month including pilots and flight attendants and notes they are well on their way to obtaining an airline license.
“We’re very far along in the licensing stage. We’ve achieved what they call stage one with the Canadian Transportation Agency and are working very closely now with Transport Canada in finishing up all the different manuals you need to be granted the final license.”
And in anticipation of receiving their license they’ll begin with two Boeing 737-300 aircraft and says they’ve recently ordered up to 21 new Boeing 737 Max aircraft.
He concludes it’s too early to say what kind of services they’d like to offer in Prince George though.
“We’re keeping that very close to our chest right now. I call it our secret sauce. For competitive reasons of course we won’t actually mention our routes until we’re able to offer our flights for sale to the public.”
Comments
Well hopefully they won’t pull a Sunwings and fly without enough fuel to get from point A to point B. Glad to hear that one will at least get a seat to sit in and a seat belt.
Remember no frills means no frills period you are sold the seat and belt only beyond that everything else costs including the complimentary drinks and cookies other airlines serve for free, all carry on will have a fee attached and some no frills airlines even charge for the magazines usually included in flights. Costs will add up real fast for those that don’t know about no frills airlines.
I will stick with Westjet thank you kindly
If it will get me to Vancouver or Calgary for 30 or 40 percent less then Air Canada or Westjet I’m all for it. I can live without the coffee, water, snacks, etc. for an hour.
I am with you on that axman.
+1 axman!
Our last trip to Vegas was roughly 800 each return. When I checked the separate flights the YXS to YVR leg was 500 and the YVR to LAS was 300. I think we’ve been getting taken advantage of here in PG.
We will defiantly be using the new service if it comes.
People forget how expensive air travel used to be before WestJet came to town.
If they set up shop, I’ll give them a chance. I’m not blindly loyal to one airline over another.
Allegiant runs their airline business under the same model. You’ll possibly be getting charged fees for things such as…
Checked Baggage Fee
Carry-On Baggage Fee
Printing a Boarding Pass Fee (at the airport)
Choosing Your Seat Fee
Credit Card Transaction Fee
(to cover the fee they get charged by the CC)
Food & Beverage
Westjet and Air Canada have checked baggage fee so it’s a gimme that the new guy will as well. I’m all for a carry on fee if it prevents all the idiots out there from trying to jam suitcase sized carry on in to the overhead bins. Most people have smart phones and or home printers and don’t need to get boarding passes printed at the airport. Westjet charges you a fee to select a seat when you book your seat; I imagine AC does as well. Finally, it’s against their agreement with the credit card companies to charge a fee specifically for accepting credit cards.
Get rid of the annoying pre-flight speeches, and I’m sold. Or do the Westjet staff still think they are amusing and entertaining by rattling off the same jokes over, and over again?
Higher seat density indicates less leg room. PG to Vancouver might be Okay . Anything further than that gets painful when you have long legs. I will gladly pay extra to pre select an emergency exit seat.
“I’m all for a carry on fee if it prevents all the idiots out there from trying to jam suitcase sized carry on in to the overhead bins”
It makes zero difference as the fee is usually cheaper than the checked baggage fee, so they stuff them in anyway.
“it’s against their agreement with the credit card companies to charge a fee specifically for accepting credit cards.”
It’s right there in B&W that Allegiant charges up to $8 for credit card transactions. From their website…
Credit Card Transactions
To cover merchant-processing costs, a surcharge of 3.2%, not to exceed $8 each way, per passenger, per transaction, will apply to credit card purchases. There is no fee to use a personal, U.S.-issued Visa or MasterCard debit card.
Oh come on people, if you can’t see that increased choice and increased competition is a good thing, I don’t know what will please you. A choice is a choice. If you don’t like one option, choose another!
Weigh out your needs to the price… if you need 16 pretzels and a 3.25 oz coffee, a checked bag, seat selection, then see how the price works out for you… I am all for as many choices as possible.
Great post, just my opinion. I agree!
How much has airfare dropped since the dive in oil costs? Professional, not sure the exact amount but commercial airlines must have enough fuel to get to an alternative airport or circle for 1 hr. Think due to a few disasters the amount is very specific.
Air canada has been bailed out from bankruptcy numerous times by our federal gov, in 2010 air canada had 125 employess per plane, west jet was at 76.
I go with west jet when I can, their comedy routine isn’t great but better than air Canada’s.
“It’s right there in B&W that Allegiant charges up to $8 for credit card transactions. From their website… ”
They’re an American based company. Different rules.
I know they’re American, and I know it’s different rules. My point was from the beginning (since you missed it completely) is that these kind of airlines can add up a whole pile of “fees” that most people take for granted. I used Allegiant as an EXAMPLE because the bulk of their customers in Bellingham are Canadian, and are paying fees they normally don’t. What kind of fees this new airline will bring is unknown, as the story states.
By the time you pay for a bag, and the abiltiy to wear clothes and breath the price will be about the same as any other airline.
Posted on Friday, January 9, 2015 @ 6:34 AM by Pylot Project
I know they’re American, and I know it’s different rules. My point was from the beginning (since you missed it completely) is that these kind of airlines can add up a whole pile of “fees” that most people take for granted.
——–
I didn’t miss your point at all. You missed mine though when I pointed out that you’re already feed to death at the existing airlines.
Here is an example of the consumer being given the opportunity to choose. That is a good thing. That is how it should be. Freedom of choice. Enjoy it!
For those who like to gripe about airline fees, you can always choose not to fly.
Here is a comedic song about cheap flights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHcim_KNZYw
It is about time. No frills airlines are perfect for quick trips. My wife and I will be able to jump on a plane to vancouver, stay for a weekend and make it back without breaking the bank.
Between here and Vancouver, our airlines have already become ‘no frills’. The new Q400 prop planes don’t have screens on them and the seats aren’t very comfortable. I can live without a little cup of pop and a bag of stale pretzels for an hour.
Competition is good.
“they’ve recently ordered up to 21 new Boeing 737 Max aircraft.”
He’s not sure how many aircraft they have ordered?
metalman.
@johnnybelt
I guess that shows you how much money they are making off us. Other companies can do for 40% cheaper, and I assure you, they will be making money too.
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