Westjet and EK hookup

[TangoUniform]

WestJet expands reach with Emirates agreement (http://www.vancouversun.com/business/WestJet+expands+reach+with+Emirates+agreement/5483405/story.html)

A back door reach into Canada?

[imnotwhoyouthinkiam]

Good for West Jet. Wonder how AC is going to respond. Start flights to DXB from the West Coast?

[Waste Management]

Not really a back door into Canada as much as a feeder network within Canada; does nothing to increase number of seats and frequencies on offer by Emirates into and out of Canada. But should make the existing flights incrementally more full by making it easier from Canadians from other cities to connect to them.

No doubt Air Canada will go crying to the government.

[Wizofoz]

WM,

Westjet has extensive connections out of LA, San Fran, Houston and Dallas, so it will mean a lot more opportunity for Canada bound, EK passengers.

Wouldn't be surprised if they start out of Seattle especially to link up.

[jeff748]

What a coincidence.

[imnotwhoyouthinkiam]

The real effect is going to be a few less seats on ACs planes connecting to/from EKs service. I doubt West Jet would change their flight timings or add new routes just for a thrice weekly service to Dubai.

West Jet is a good airline, at least their employees are happy, if not sometimes over the top, but they always make you laugh.

[Waste Management]

Wiz, this interline agreement does not seem to include transborder connections. It specifically states:

"The new agreement allows travellers better access to Emirates flights from Toronto from more than 20 cities across Canada where WestJet flies."

We can only hope that Canadians find ways to hook into these other services, especially Seattle. However, it seems to me that going through what one must in order to get into the US, then change terminals at these US airports and then go through security again in order to get out of the US on the connecting flight, would be an arduous experience that is not worth it for most people. Not to mention that this kind of connection requires one to be able to enter the US (visa, customs, etc.) for the connection, as they are not in adjacent international transit concourse situation in these airports; outbound from Canada will be preclearance into US from Canada then a domestic-to-international departure while inbound to Canada will be international arrival to US then international departure to Canada - with change in terminal, to boot.

So it looks like Toronto is what is covered by this agreement and, in any case, the US cities mentioned will not see much interaction between the two.

[Wizofoz]

Thanks WM, yes, let's hope.

[nolimitholdem]

Too bad EK staff can't travel standby on WestJet. Since they're such a great airline and all.

[Waste Management]

A380-800 Driver, no argument there, it can be done. Especially with preclearance into US from Canada, that flight is treated as a domestic US flight upon arrival in the US.

But the issue is originating in Canada and connecting to outbound EK in the US, or arriving in US and connecting to WestJet to Canada. I really believe that, under current US visa and security conditions, along with change of terminals, this is too onerous for most revenue passengers to deal with, considering the plethora of alternatives. It seems that the two airlines agree, because the interline agreement either does not cover this possibility or they are not mentioning it, at all.

Don't forget that, even in order to be in a secured international transit zone in airports that even have such (Miami), one has to obtain a visa as if entering the US. For many passengers, this requires applying in advance, going to an interview at a US consulate which may be far away, costs hundreds of dollars - and they may be refused, so how can they plan anything? Why do that if there are more direct alternatives which avoid the US?