Flair Airlines say four of its planes are “not operational” after “extreme and unusual” actions by a U.S.-based lessor to seize the aircrafts amid a commercial dispute.
“Flair Airlines is aware of extreme and unusual actions taken by a New York-based hedge fund and lessor of certain Flair Airlines aircraft,” the spokesperson said. “The airline is aggrieved by this unprecedented action.”
The CBC quoted an airline spokesperson as saying that Flair “has been involved in ongoing communications with the lessor and payment has been initiated, as they have been previously done.”
The network said two planes were seized at Toronto Pearson, one in Edmonton and one at Kitchener-Waterloo Airport in Ontario.
The website simpleflying.com stated that Flair had three spare aircraft to help cover many of the affected flights. The site said that Flair “has promised that any passengers flying in the next 72 hours will be accommodated on a Flair flight, or a flight with another airline at Flair’s expense if this isn’t possible.”
Reuters said Flair did not foresee any major disruptions to its route map.
“We are truly very sorry passengers were impacted today, and are taking steps to get them on their way with minimal disruption,” the spokesman added.
“This scenario of getting airplanes seized and losing 20 per cent of your aircraft fleet is a significant blow to the credibility and to the brand that is that the fleet is trying to build in Canada,” John Gradek, a faculty lecturer at McGill University in aviation and supply management, told Global News. “You can still get a good deal, but .. you’re taking some chances in terms of buying a ticket with Flair.”
Flair is an Edmonton-based ultra-low-cost airline that has been battling the likes of Swoop, Lynx Air and Canada Jetlines for frugal Canadian fliers.
The Maple Leaf Lounge at LaGuardia Airport in New York City. JIM BYERS PHOTO
BEST U.S. AIRPORTS FOR BUSINESS LOUNGES
A company called Upgraded Points‘ has issued a new study to determine which U.S. airports offer the best lounges.
They ranked 50 of the nation’s largest airports across a range of factors like available amenities, dining options, lounge saturation, customer ratings, and operating hours. If you’re killing time during layovers or flight delays, airport lounges can provide useful amenities and fun distractions that can make all the difference.
Upgraded Points analyzed over 225 lounges from 50 of the largest U.S. airports using data compiled from multiple authorities on airport lounges. The numbers were then assessed and adjusted for airport size (per square mile) to normalize the data and come up with a list of the best airport lounges in the U.S.
Here’s their top ten:
Miami International (MIA)
LaGuardia, New York City (LGA)
Los Angeles International (LAX)
Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW)
Ronald Reagan Washington International (DCA)
George Bush Intercontinental, Houston (IAH)
John F. Kennedy International, New York (JFK)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)
Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA)
Phoenix-Sky Harbor International (PHX)
The lowest ranking (22) was for Portland International Airport in Oregon
Although operating with fewer lounges per mile than other top contenders, the Florida (Miami) airport’s lounges stay open longer. On average, MIA’s lounges are open for 16 hours and 54 minutes per day (more than any other airport). A majority of MIA lounges offer premium food options and all have showers to freshen up before boarding, the study said.
As for LaGuardia, Upgraded Points said LGA ranked highest in lounge saturation with over 5 lounges per mile. According to customer reviews, the luxury lounges at LGA were the best of any airport analyzed in the study, scoring 3.84 out of 5 stars.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) came in at third place with a score of 74.89 out of 100, featuring the fourth most lounges per mile, at 3.5.
American Express, Plaza Premium Group, and Airport Dimensions ranked as the top three lounge providers. Boasting premium food options, beer and wine, comfy seating, TVs and entertainment, and family rooms, along with plenty of places to charge up electronics, these top-tier locations scored the highest in the study.
Delta Air Lines ranked fourth. I didn’t see any mention of Air Canada, but it has limited lounges at U.S. airports.
The Air Canada lounge at LAX is okay, while the one at LaGuardia is quite new and absolutely outstanding; great food, lots of places to rest, plenty of natural light, and more. Last time I was at San Francisco International an Air Canada agent said he thought AC would be opening an SFO lounge in May.
A Sunwing plane in flight.
A FEW THOUGHTS ON THE WEST JET-SUNWING MERGER
A friend asked me what I thought of the news that the Trudeau government has approved the Sunwing-WestJet merger. Less competition is seldom good for consumers. It does, however, provide Sunwing with some pretty solid funding via Onex/WestJet. They also have to add five new destinations in Canada.
I read in the Toronto Star today that WestJet/Sunwing will control nearly 3/4 of the vacation packages out of Western Canada. That can’t be good for consumers.
As I mentioned last night on CP 24 television (click here for the interview), it’s not a surprise that the government would okay the merger. If nothing else, I can’t imagine what the reaction would’ve been in Alberta if Trudeau had denied a business deal proposed by a Calgary-based airline that is quite popular with Western Canadians.
