The low-cost airline Flair Airlines is entering Quebec. Starting today, it offers cheap flights between Quebec Jean-Lesage International Airport (YQB) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). This connection will be provided three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
“Connecting Quebec to Toronto is the latest step in our ongoing commitment to bringing Canadians closer together at a lower cost. Two major cities can now benefit from uninterrupted direct flights at low prices,” says Flair Airlines commercial director Garth Lund.
One-way fares start at $52. But rare are these tickets so inexpensive. It’s impossible to fly away for this price during peak season. The cost of a flight rises to $197 during the busy holiday period in July, according to what is posted on the Flair Airlines website as of May 6, 2024.
Added to this is also the cost of luggage, because at the prices mentioned above, you will only be entitled to have a small bag weighing less than 7 kg that fits under the seat. Suffice to say that you can only bring a computer to avoid paying any additional costs.
“Flair reduces the base ticket price by offering Canadians the option to choose to add or remove baggage, purchase food and drinks on board, etc.,” the organization says. It is therefore with extras that low-cost airlines make money.
Flair Airlines offers a baggage package. The basic one, including cabin and hold baggage, costs between $58.64 and $64.39. That’s practically more than the price of the ticket itself.
The more expensive competition
Still, after a brief search, one conclusion jumps out: traveling with Flair Airlines is inexpensive. This airline offers the best prices, whether with baggage or without baggage.
This is particularly what is noted The sun after a small comparison exercise carried out with holiday dates determined by chance. The trip takes place from July 8 to 15, during high season. Please note that the price of selected tickets includes baggage.
So, traveling from Quebec to Toronto with Flair Airlines will cost you $352.83. That’s more than $100 less than with Air Canada ($498.21) and more than $200 less than with Porter ($568.45).
Aside from the reduction in the base ticket price, what explains this gap between the different companies?
“Flair has a 100% fleet utilization rate, which reduces daily operating costs and saves consumers money,” says the airline.
Flair Airlines may have the lowest prices on the market, but is also one of the airlines with the highest number of complaints. Between January 2023 and March 2024, the low-cost air carrier accumulated an average of nearly 16 complaints per 100 flights, according to the Canadian Transportation Agency.
Air Canada and Porter have much better records with respectively averages of 5.2 and 1.4 complaints per 100 flights. This shows that the price can have an impact on the service provided.
