Will WestJet ever add a new type?

[airceo]

I blogged recently about some of the interesting decisions facing WS both in terms of fleet and alliances/codeshares moving forward. I'm curious to get a take on the fleet side of things from WestJetters. Is there any likelihood of WS adding a second, smaller type for the purposes of serving secondary markets? What about the other direction - adding larger aircraft for additional capacity in proven markets?

Any thoughts/insight would be welcome!

[CanadaEH]

I say bigger, not smaller. The market for smaller aircraft isn't nearly as big as the market for larger aircraft.. or as profitable. I believe we will dip our feet internationally by means of codeshare/interlines, before we expand internationally using our own metal. Where, when, and with what is up for debate.

[cyeg66]

Now, I'm just sayin', I would like to see what a C-Series w/WJA colors would look like. Pretty slick, I bet. If it ever gets off the ground, let it be a much better product than the long-in-the-tooth RJ series, please.... Still, 130+ seats with E195 level economics has to be appealing to some airlines... As for "international" expansion thru codeshares, does KLM/AF's current arrangement with WJA resemble that type of deal? I'm not sure how comprehensive it is...

[airceo]

Bigger? Hmm, that's interesting. That was my initial inclination too; develop codeshares then push overseas with long hauls into Europe and the far east but the more I thought about it, that seemed to be the riskier play especially since WS is not very well known beyond these shores and widebodies add a lot of cost and complexity.

There are a lot of secondary markets left within North America left to investigate. Do you think the B6 approach is viable, introducing a ~100 seater?

Any rumors I should know about?

@airceo

[acidgambit]

Hope WJ doesn't go with E195s. I mean they're nice planes to fly on...they're light weight and fast. Maintenance wise...not too good. I think the ERJs will get the job done, but will they last? ERJs are built cheap. That's why airlines have interest towards the ERJs in this economy situation. You get what you pay for right?

[cyeg66]

Hope WJ doesn't go with E195s. I mean they're nice planes to fly on...they're light weight and fast. Maintenance wise...not too good. I think the ERJs will get the job done, but will they last? ERJs are built cheap. That's why airlines have interest towards the ERJs in this economy situation. You get what you pay for right?

Just a little nitpicky, perhaps, but the term 'ERJ' refers to the Embraer 135-145 models whereas the 170/75, and 190/95 don't have a particular designation, a monicker, if you will. I'm also not sure about how 'cheap' they are produced. There's a difference between a 'cheap' airplane and one that can be built more 'cheaply'. CRJs certainly have their own quirks.... <cough, cough> CRJ100 <gutless><cough, cough> flap issues, no slats <sputter>....

[stickontheice]

We will be sticking with one type at least for the foreseeable future. The management believes that we've only begun to tap the market that the 737 is capable of doing. If the right opportunity came up maybe but very very doubtful.

[KAG]

Some of the guys I fly with seem to think the Q400 would be a good fit in some eastern/western markets. Personally I can't see any changes fleet wise (except numbers) for some time. I hope we fully tap the 737 for all it's worth before jumping into uncharted territory.

[CanadaEH]

I don't see us ordering anything smaller. The economics of scale (less seats = higher operating costs) would prevent us from offering low fares and stimulating new traffic. There are smaller regional airlines out there with the infrastucture, network, and people in place to codeshare/interline if we want to go that route.

With a larger aircraft we don't necessarily have to fly overseas right away. Flying transcon YVR/YYC/YEG-YYZ/YUL is a start; YVR/YYC/YEG-Hawaii; YYZ-Florida; and a bunch of domestic-carribean city pairs come to mind as places to start.

[rigpiggy]

Just a little nitpicky, perhaps, but the term 'ERJ' refers to the Embraer 135-145 models whereas the 170/75, and 190/95 don't have a particular designation, a monicker, if you will. .

The embraerassment 180

[cyeg66]

Just a little nitpicky, perhaps, but the term 'ERJ' refers to the Embraer 135-145 models whereas the 170/75, and 190/95 don't have a particular designation, a monicker, if you will. .

The embraerassment 180

Gotta remember that one. I've heard good things about them from pax but I don't know what maintenance/pilots think about them. From a controller's perspective, they don't slow down particularly well. Early software and flight control issues notwithstanding, they seem decent in performance, though.

Sorry, off topic. Back to Westjet....

[goaroundthrust]

From what people are saying WJ will concentrate on the 737 in the next few years. Nothing more nothing less....

[loopa]

787.. your thoughts?

[whiteguy]

Some of the guys I fly with seem to think the Q400 would be a good fit in some eastern/western markets. Personally I can't see any changes fleet wise (except numbers) for some time. I hope we fully tap the 737 for all it's worth before jumping into uncharted territory.

I think that went along with the "take over" of Porter rumor.

I think if Durfy wants his equal domestic market share in 4 years he may have to go smaller. Can't see 737s going into the smaller markets like YQL, YXH, or YXC.

[Duncan Idaho]

I heard they're getting Twin Otter 400's so Westjet Vacations can get into the sport fishing market.

[stickontheice]

737s only unless the right deal comes along.

[Intentional Left Bank]

I heard they're getting Twin Otter 400's so WestJet Vacations can get into the sport fishing market.

Sweeet! YXL port too, I heard.

[twinpratts]

I'm betting bigger is coming... without a doubt. However before we can get big airplanes, we need to get smaller ones to supply the guests for the international network. So smaller jets, (possibly EMJs) then bigger later.


2 cents pls.

[acidgambit]

787....Nah. I think Westjet wouldn't go there for now.

If Westjet were to buy 787s...they would have to invest so much. For example: Building bigger hangars, Mechanic endorsments and all that good stuff.

Westjet is looking good now with their 737s, like everybody said. Expanding slowly is a good choice. Get a bit too greedy, everything will turn upside down.

[Gino Under]

All LCCs are prime targets for the CSeries sales team. Including WJ.
Lighter, farther and 20% more fuel efficient capability than your 700. At least that's the boast.
And, no, the CSeries is NOT a regional jet and certainly larger than the EMB190.
(in case you were wondering)
Embryos answer is to stretch the EMB190.

The industry wide interest in this aircraft has finally motivated A and B to get interested in providing some competition for the CSeries, albeit, a little late. Close to 7 years late.

We'll see when WJs interest is finally admitted publicly.

[mulligan]

Rule 1) One type only
Rule 2) No mergers
Rule 3) In the event rules 1 or 2 are broken: retire

[piggy]

My bet: When bulk of domestic growth done by 2016, order for 787 will come followed by a replacement 737 that competes with c series and cross qualify with 787

[Darkwing Duck]

I heard they're getting Twin Otter 400's so WestJet Vacations can get into the sport fishing market.

Sweeet! YXL port too, I heard.

Well kind of true, they are looking into the sport fishing market but not with the 400s. They are going to throw floats on the 37s. It is going through certification as we speak.

[Gino Under]

Boeing is/was planning to discontinue the B737. Therefore, their waffling on about "what to do about the CSeries threat?".
Here's one to consider......quote,

"Tuesday March 16, 2010 - The FAA issued an emergency Airworthiness Directive calling for operators of 737-600s, -700s, -800s, -900s and -900ERs to inspect elevator tab control mechanisms following "severe elevator vibration" on a Ryanair 737-800 that made an emergency landing in Brussels this month.
The agency attributed the vibration to "failure of the aft attach lugs on the left elevator tab control mechanism" and said carriers need "to detect and correct" any loose bearings in the mechanisms. "Severe vibration in this attach point is suspected of allowing rapid wear of the joint and resulted in failure of the attach lugs" on the Ryanair -800, it said. "This condition, if not corrected, could result in a loss of aircraft control and structural integrity."
The FAA said inspections must occur within 12 to 30 days depending on the timing of an aircraft's entry into service. It added that a final rulemaking on the issue may be forthcoming once more information is gathered."

This kind of press isn't likely to help Boeing's decision to go ahead with or to cancel the B737, but I'm pretty sure they'd like to design a replacement with up to date "everything". This is also the kind of press clipping that will catch the travelling public's attention. Westjet undoubtedly will be considering options as the D checks come up. Most LCCs switch or swap at that point so we'll see where they sit on any 'new' type decisions within probably the next 24 months or so and that's when the CSeries will be available.

Gino Under

[TyrellCorp]

Just a little nitpicky, perhaps, but the term 'ERJ' refers to the Embraer 135-145 models whereas the 170/75, and 190/95 don't have a particular designation, a monicker, if you will. .

The embraerassment 180

Whatever Rigpiggy.

Alright here it is from a Junglejet driver. The airplanes are actually quite nice. Cyeg66 is right when he / she says, "There's a difference between a 'cheap' airplane and one that can be built more 'cheaply'". The Embraer has a few quirks, but when you get used to them, it's actually quite an enjoyable bird to fly. All those maintenance issues that everyone likes to talk about are pretty much ironed out now. According to a few maintenance guys I spoke with, they are no less reliable than everything else in the fleet. Remember when you add a new type, especially one that is also a new model, it's going to take some time to get dispatch reliability to where it should be.
As far as slowing goes, the VNAV can be a bit tricky until you are used to it and as such you might see someone who is new on it get caught. Now if ATC wants you to go down and slow down then we're going to have a bit of a problem just like any other jet. I will add that the 190 does have a very efficient wing and if you are heavy you do have to plan ahead. I understand from my buddies that fly 737 NGs that they too have a very efficient wing and can be tricky to slow down.
All in all it's a nice airplane with a great looking FD and a nice set of toys to help you out. You just have to keep an eye on it. The few above mentioned quirks are mostly software related and I would imagine will get fixed eventually with newer load updates. Again I say that it's really not a big deal. I do love flying her.