When you think Canadian Airliners, you think Air
Canada, Westjet and Porter. When
you think of flying and fees, you think expensive. Lastly, you think how long of a flight and what kind of
service will you get once you arrive to the airport. With all that money you spent on your flight, you would want
that great service! So let’s see
which airline has what to offer.
Westjet is known for their friendly, fun and
caring service and thrive on ensuring all their guests are welcomed. A lot of travelers would say Westjet is
more fun then Air Canada and Porter.
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Pros
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Cons
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- Airport and On-board staff are friendly
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- Bad Entertainment Consoles
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- Comfortable seats and space for legs
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- Satellite TV occasionally out and overnight
flights expect infomercials
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- Customer Service that cares
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- Westjet Dollars to help save on future flights
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- Free coffee, tea, pop, juice and their famous
Bits & Bites
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-Fraser, C. (2012). Air Canada VS Westjet VS Porter – A Canadian Airline Comparison. Retrieved from
http://ibackpackcanada.com/air-canada-vs-westjet-vs-porter-canadian-airline-comparison/
Here are what some travelers think:
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“It
never even occured to me to rate an airline until I somehow got linked to
Robert M's review of WestJet and, as I'm sure is obvious from the other
reviews... this guy's completely NUTS.
I don't fly very often, but when I
do, if there's a WestJet option available, I go that way every single time.
It's never exactly the ride that becomes the highlight of your trip but
really if the flight ever is, you need to start planning better trips. Sure,
they could use slightly bigger and softer seats, but by and large I hardly
even notice this when compared to how much I save compared to other airlines
and how much more friendly, professional and accommodating their staff is (I
always figured those ads about WestJet people being so helpful was
bullshit... until I flew with them a couple times, now I'm living proof).
Simply
put, if WestJet had as many destinations as, say, Air Canada.... I would
never use another airline again.
Honestly, if you're going anywhere WestJet
goes, and you're flying with anybody else, you're getting screwed.
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“On my recent trip to Toronto, I flew there on WestJet
and back on Air Canada. I didn’t specify that arrangement, it’s just the way
our travel agent ended up booking the trip. From now on though, I think I’ll
specify WestJet. I think I have preferred WestJet to Air Canada for quite
some time now, but it wasn’t until this last trip that I actually reflected
on why. I think it’s because WestJet does a better job of the details than
Air Canada, you know, the little things.
Don’t
get me wrong, there’s lots of other reasons that WestJet is better. You know,
lower price, a TV in front of every seat, no business class (as far as I
know), and well, they are almost always on time. Even on this last trip our
WestJet flight arrived on time while the Air Canada flight was late – a good
half hour late.”
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“Despise
Air Canada. Always fly Westjet if I can. They were horrid when my ex’s father
died. Instead of being helpful, they offered a flight to Winnipeg. My ex is
from Saskatchewan. Nor did they offer bereavement rates. Westjet pulled thru,
so they had me at “hello”.
Mark,
J. (n.d.). Nomadic Chick. [Web
log post]. Retrieved from http://ibackpackcanada.com/air-canada-vs-westjet-vs-porter-canadian-airline-comparison/
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Porter
offers more short-haul air travel, which is more convenient when you want to
travel to a smaller destination within Regions. Porter flies out of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
and with such a small airport, the fees are smaller and your check-ins are
quicker! Even though their flights are not that
long, Porter wants their guests to have a refined experience. They offer snacks and beverages’ including
wine and beer, more legroom and the aircraft itself features a noise and
vibration suppression system that reduces the noise levels from the plane.
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Pros
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Cons
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- Walking
distance, TTC or Free Porter Shuttle within downtown Toronto
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- Outside
of GTA you would still need to get downtown and pay for parking
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- Regular
seat sales can save you up to 50%
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- Small
plane may cause claustrophobia
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- Complimentary
snacks in the Airport Lounge
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- Complimentary
WIFI in the Airport Lounge
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- No
food outlets at Toronto Island Airport
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- Propeller
is louder if you are sitting more mid cabin
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- Friendly
in-flight service
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- No
in-flight entertainment
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- VIPorter
for Frequent Porter customers
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-Fraser, C. (2012). Air Canada VS Westjet VS Porter – A Canadian Airline Comparison. Retrieved from http://ibackpackcanada.com/air-canada-vs-westjet-vs-porter-canadian-airline-comparison/
Here are what some travelers think:
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“Flight to / from
YQB, winterfest. Right from the drop off at the terminal to my return to the
very same spot I have to say the Porter experience was flawless. Yes a bit of
a delay due to weather that can be expected. Great lounge in Toronto with
drinks and snacks. Great flight, will try and use Porter again.”
Howard,
CJ. (2013, February 7). Porter
Airlines Customer Reviews and Porter Airlines Passenger Trip Reports. [Web
log post]. Retrieved from http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/porter.htm
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I have found that
the airline has drastically gone downhill. Customer service used to be
friendly and helpful and it is now surly and impatient. The flights I take on
a frequent basis are very often cancelled or moved with no notice, yet if you
ask for any assistance there is absolutely no attempt to be helpful. All in
all an airline that used to be good and has lost a business flying customer.
King,
S. (2013, January 25). Porter
Airlines Customer Reviews and Porter Airlines Passenger Trip Reports. [Web
log post]. Retrieved from http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/porter.htm
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My colleague and I
booked our seats separately and asked if we could sit together (PD421 -
Toronto to Montreal Jan 23). The young lady behind the counter in the lounge
said the flight was full and we would have to ask customers on the plane
ourselves. We asked twice and got the same answer. When we got on the plane
it was half empty. Needless to say we sat together but were both surprised
since Porter is known for their extra mile service. Sloppy was among our
comments. Rethinking Air Canada if Porter gives the same attitude.
Lee,
J. (2013, January 25). Porter
Airlines Customer Reviews and Porter Airlines Passenger Trip Reports. [Web
log post]. Retrieved from http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/porter.htm
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Since
1936, Air Canada has been in business and is a founding member of Star
Alliance. Star Alliance is the
world’s air transportation network bringing many different airlines around the
world under one umbrella.
Air
Canada not only flies within Canada but around the world, over 175 destinations
on five continents. They serve
close to 35 million passengers annually.
In 2003, Air Canada had to file for bankruptcy protection but pulled
ahead and are still in the game of local and international travel.
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Pros
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Cons
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- On-Demand
entertainment consoles on most flights.
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- Lacking
in customer service
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- Largest
number of destinations across Canada and International
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- No
complimentary meal on domestic flights
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- Aeroplan
Points expire so read the fine print
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- Free
coffee, tea, juice and pop
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- Aeroplan
Rewards for Frequent Travelers
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-Fraser, C. (2012). Air Canada VS Westjet VS Porter – A Canadian Airline Comparison. Retrieved from http://ibackpackcanada.com/air-canada-vs-westjet-vs-porter-canadian-airline-comparison/
Here are what some travelers think:
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“They may not win the most awards
for happy faces and fun memories, but they get the job done. I like to
compare Air Canada as sort of like ordering a burger & fries. You know
what you’re getting every time. It might not be the best item on the menu,
but it’s good enough. Seeing as Air Canada has the most destinations, a good
points system (if you know how to use it!), and reasonable rates, I see
nothing overtly wrong with saying Air Canada is pretty okay!”
-Fraser, C. (2012). Air Canada VS Westjet VS Porter – A Canadian Airline Comparison. Retrieved from
http://ibackpackcanada.com/air-canada-vs-westjet-vs-porter-canadian-airline-comparison/
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I had a similar experience in
flying on United from Vancouver to Singapore recently, via LA and Tokyo. Same
kinds of things… cold reception from the flight attendants even with polite
inquiries, no personal TV, poor food… Having flown on Air Canada lots of
times, and more recently on United (and ANA) lots of times, I think you kind
of have to expect a less-than-spectacular flying experience every so often,
one of those “keeping the world in balance” kinds of things. Too bad, but you
can’t win ‘em all, right?
That being said, Air Canada has been notorious
for poor service, overbookings, poor communication during delays (i.e. 8 hour
waits, no water/bathroom breaks/etc. on a runway, with no explanation to
passengers) in recent years and especially around the holiday times. WestJet,
however, has for the most part received stellar reports in terms of customer
satisfaction in that same time; when they did screw up, or there were
uncontrollable delays, they were sure to communicate what exactly was going
on to the travelers affected.
Will (2010). Re: Airline Review: Air Canada. [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/airline-review-air-canada/
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I used to fly Westjet whenever
possible because I liked the general service/attitude better.
Now I usually fly Air Canada
after starting to accrue miles in their Aeroplan program. I also like their
in-flight entertainment options, not that pulling my laptop out of the
overhead bin to watch a downloaded movie is that difficult.
I'll still use Westjet if the
flight times or connections are better.
Brewmaster (2012). Re: Westjet or Air Canada. [Web log comment]. Retrieved
from http://www.riderfans.com/forum/showthread.php?105336-WestJet-or-Air-Canada
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Overall,
Westjet and Porter are both good with their customer service, but Westjet of
course beats the competition with their excellent service. Air Canada is good for getting to your
destination and has more options than Westjet and Porter. Porter beats both Westjet and Air
Canada with their small-haul flights at a great price. All 3 airlines have great benefits and
lack a little here and there if you looked at the Pros and Cons. Whomever you chose to fly with,
you will eventually get to your destination at either an unbeatable price or
better service, just depends on you and whom you would go for.
What
are your thoughts? Who would you
rather fly with?
