Flair is new in the airline space in Canada. Low fares, everything a la carte. A model that has worked elsewhere in the world, to be tested here in Canada, especially in the face of stiff competition that's come with Swoop. They also have to make the numbers work to stay afloat, but that's a them problem, not an us passengers problem.
Over the weekend I flew to Vancouver on Westjet on the outbound and Air Canada on the inbound. I had other friends that also flew there, but we all flew different flights/airlines around the same time (Air Canada, Air Transat, Westjet, Flair.)
Being the snob that I could be (eww Flair?) and also being late in buying tickets, I did miss out on the $79 each way that Flair offered and paid about $320 roundtrip.
Here are my findings based on third person account from friends that flew Flair, including off hand comments:
- Planes are old (they have 737-400s which are first generation 737s)
- Fares are really cheap
- Flights were on time
- Only one personal item is free to carry as long as it fits under the seat in front
- Weird logic with paid checked luggage being less expensive than paid carry on luggage
- Tolerable for short distance flights such as Vancouver
- Felt like being on Greyhound
Overall, it was a simple ride with good timings and best of all, great fares.
I have yet to fly them but here are my thoughts:
- Any airline that brings about $79 one way tickets to Vancouver consistently is an airline we should support. I even see $69 fares right now, with daily promos that range from 5% off to $xx off each way. As of late I have seen Air Canada and Westjet offering similar or slightly higher fares on flights that depart around the same times as Flair
- Aircraft and crew are regulated by Transport Canada, so unless there's a lapse (which could happen with any airline, really) I'm not concerned
- A personal item, from third party experience, includes a backpack. The rule is that it is at most 7kgs in weight and must fit under the seat in front of you. I have traveled through Europe with a backpack that's under 7kgs for a couple of months, it's doable for a weekend trip to Vancouver
What are your thoughts? Have you flown Flair and if so, how was your experience?