Canadian ultra-low-cost carrier Swoop announces big US expansion
The hottest place for Canadian ultra-low-cost carriers is apparently south of the border — in the United States.
Swoop on Tuesday announced a major expansion of its U.S. network, going up against rival Flair Airlines in many of the same markets.
Swoop, which is owned by WestJet, will go head-to-head with Flair at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Chicago's O'Hare Airport (ORD), operating service from both airports to Toronto's Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
Swoop's service to Chicago will operate five days a week and begin on May 30. Its service to New York will also operate five days a week and begin on June 20.
Swoop is also adding Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Nashville International Airport (BNA) to its U.S. map. Burbank flights will operate to Edmonton (YEG) three days a week starting June 23, with San Francisco flights operating to Edmonton four days a week starting June 6. Nashville flights will operate five days a week to Toronto starting May 26 and twice weekly to Edmonton starting June 19.
Flair currently serves Burbank from Edmonton and Vancouver (YVR), and will launch service to San Francisco and Nashville in April, according to Cirium schedules data. San Francisco will be served from Edmonton, with Vancouver flights launching in May, while Nashville will be served from Toronto and Edmonton.
Swoop is also adding a new route from Las Vegas (LAS), with service to Toronto (YYZ) launching on May 20, operating four times a week. Swoop currently serves Hamilton (YHM) from Las Vegas. That airport is located about 40 miles southwest of Pearson Airport.
Introductory fares for Swoop's new U.S. routes are $78 USD each way.
More: Canada's Flair Airlines adds 2 major US destinations
In addition to Las Vegas, Swoop currently serves San Diego (SAN), Palm Springs (PSP), St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE), Orlando Sanford (SFB) and Phoenix-Mesa (AZA) from airports across Canada. It launched its first U.S. flights in October 2018. Swoop operates a fleet of 10 Boeing 737-800 aircraft, and just announced it will be adding six Boeing 737 MAX 8s to its fleet this summer.
In addition to Swoop and Flair, the Canadian ULCC market will soon see two new entrants, as pent-up demand during the COVID-19 pandemic creates a leisure travel market in Canada that is ripe for growth. Upstart Lynx Air and Canada Jetlines both plan to commence service this year.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.