WestJet Dash 8s Could Soon Take Over These Delta Routes to Canada
Delta Air Lines regional jets could soon step aside on some routes to Canada if the carrier’s proposed partnership with WestJet gets a green light.
The airlines plan to grow capacity by at least 20% between Canada and the USA, including adding six new routes, by coordinating flights in the market if their joint venture is approved by US authorities. This would allow them to optimize routes around the most suitable aircraft for a market from their respective fleets.
A joint venture allows multiple airlines to act as essentially one carrier in a given market. They can coordinate fares and schedules, jointly market and sell tickets, and, in many cases, share revenues and costs.
“On certain other transborder routes, particularly in smaller short-haul markets, the partners could replace Delta’s regional jets with WestJet’s more efficient Q400 aircraft, which would maintain sustainable service in otherwise unprofitable markets,” they say in a joint filing with the US Department of Transportation on July 2.
Related: Delta Air Lines Says Boston Is Now One of Its Hub Cities
While the airlines did not define “smaller short-haul markets” in the filing, WestJet only flies its De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400s, previously the Bombardier Q400, on transborder routes up to 700 miles, according to Diio by Cirum schedules. Its longest flight is between Myrtle Beach (MYR), South Carolina, and Toronto (YYZ) at 691 miles.
Delta flies a mix of Bombardier CRJ and Embraer 175 regional jets on 19 transborder routes, schedules show. Of those, two-thirds are 700 miles or shorter.
Potential routes that Delta could shift to WestJet-operated Dash 8s are:
Related: Choosing the Best Credit Card for Delta Flyers
- Cincinnati (CVG) - Toronto, 413 miles
- Detroit (DTW) - Montreal (YUL), 529 miles
- Detroit - Ottawa (YOW), 439 miles
- Detroit - Toronto, 214 miles
- Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) - Toronto, 679 miles
- Minneapolis/St. Paul - Winnipeg (YWG), 394 miles
- New York JFK - Montreal, 333 miles
- New York JFK - Toronto, 366 miles
- New York LaGuardia (LGA) - Halifax (YHZ), 597 miles
- New York LaGuardia - Montreal, 323 miles
- New York LaGuardia - Ottawa, 326 miles
- Seattle (SEA) - Calgary (YYC), 452 miles
- Seattle - Vancouver (YVR), 127 miles
WestJet bases the majority of its Dash 8 fleet in Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver, suggesting that any initial expanded transborder flying with turboprops could be on Delta routes to one of these airports.
As an added bonus to the airlines, WestJet's Dash 8s seat 78 passengers whereas Delta's regional jets are capped at 76 seats allowing them to economically add seats. However, WestJet's turboprops are not fitted with first class cabins -- only "premium fare seats" with complimentary snacks and beverages -- as Delta's larger regional jets are.
Delta and WestJet argue that an immunised partnership would allow them to better compete with Air Canada's market dominance. Air Canada carried 45% of the 30.9 million passengers that flew between Canada and the USA in 2018, DOT data provided by Diio shows. Delta carried 11.4% of passengers and WestJet 15.8% over the period.
Related: Delta Brings Cocktails, Hot Towels and Better Food to International Economy
Air Canada has antitrust immunity, but not a joint venture, with United Airlines in the transborder market. The carriers have repeatedly said they are considering a closer partnership.
Swapping aircraft is not the only improvement Delta and WestJet promise under a joint venture. The airlines say they are already working on streamlined procedures that would allow a customer of one airline flying on the other to check in for their entire itinerary on either carrier's app or website.
“Delta and WestJet recognize the high value that their customers place on the ability to check in online and to select their seats across carriers on multi-carrier itineraries," the carriers say in their filing.
In addition, the airlines are working towards reciprocal elite frequent flier benefits and lounge access under their proposed partnership.
Delta and WestJet received Canadian approval for their joint venture at the end of June. US authorities continue to evaluate the tie up.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.