Flair Airlines
Flair Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 in the 2021 livery
IATA ICAO Callsign
F8[1] FLE[2] FLAIR[2]
FoundedAugust 19, 2005 (2005-08-19)
(as Flair Air)
Commenced operations2017 (2017)
(as Flair Airlines)
AOC #Canada: 14941[3]
United States: F8RF148F[4]
Operating bases
Fleet size20[5]
Destinations34[6]
Parent company777 Partners (25%)[7]
HeadquartersEdmonton, Alberta, Canada
Key peopleStephen Jones (president and CEO)
Employees772 (April 2022)[8]
Websitewww.flyflair.com

Flair Airlines is a Canadian ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta.[9] The airline operates scheduled passenger and chartered services with a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. The company slogan is Plane and Simple. The airline promotes itself as being Canada's first and only independent ULCC.[9]

History

2005–2008

Flair Air logo, 2005–2017

The airline began operations as a privately owned company on August 19, 2005, under the name Flair Air. In January 2006, Transport Canada authorised the airline to operate scheduled all-cargo services between Cuba and Canada, on behalf of Cubana de Aviación, until April 7, 2006. It also operated some passenger flights on behalf of Cubana. Flair Air operated two Boeing 727-200 aircraft, one for passenger movements and the other for freight services. During this period, Flair also began providing workforce transportation services to several natural resources and major construction companies across Canada.

2008–2019

A former Flair Air Boeing 737-400 in the pre-2017 livery

Flair began adding Boeing 737-400s to its fleet in 2008 to replace the 727-200s. The airline continued to add these aircraft until delivery of a fifth aircraft in 2015. In January 2014, Flair acquired a VIP Embraer ERJ-175 and a VIP Dornier Do-328. Both were retired in September 2016. In June 2017, Flair announced it had purchased the assets of Manitoba-based discount travel company NewLeaf, of which it had been the operator of NewLeaf's flights, as it was not licensed as an airline.[10] Flair retained 85% of former NewLeaf staff in the acquisition,[11] and the NewLeaf brand was retired on July 25, 2017, with flights subsequently operated under the Flair name thereafter.[12][13]

In late 2017, Flair Air rebranded as Flair Airlines, in which it unveiled a new magenta and blue livery, acquired additional aircraft, and announced plans to add more in 2018 and 2019. Two more 737-400s arrived at the airline in December 2017. In 2018, Flair moved its headquarters from Kelowna International Airport to Edmonton International Airport,[14] and 777 Partners invested in Flair with the goal of building a Canadian low-fare carrier. In December 2018, Flair received three leased Boeing 737-800s. These were returned to lessor Smartwings in 2019 as a separately leased trio of 737-800s arrived at the airline.

2019 rebranding–present

A Flair Airlines Boeing 737-800 in the 2019 livery

In February 2019, Flair went through a "top to bottom" makeover, changing its signature colours from purple and red to acid green and black. This reflected the airline's new "Plane and Simple" branding. The brand makeover included a new livery that remains on the airline's 737-800s. New flight attendant uniforms were also rolled out in September 2019.

In February 2020, Flair offered unlimited travel in the form of a one-time fee 90-day pass valid between February 13 and May 13, 2020.[15] In August 2020, Flair retired their final Boeing 737-400 aircraft in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[16]

In January 2021, Flair announced an order for 13 Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets from financing partner 777 Partners, with plans to grow to 50 aircraft within 5 years. The first of these aircraft arrived in May 2021, with a total of 8 scheduled to arrive over the summer months. The remaining five were planned to arrive before 2022.[17] This order came at a crucial time for Boeing, as it restarted MAX operations following a months-long grounding of the type.[18] All future aircraft deliveries to Flair were to be painted in an updated livery, which includes the airline's signature acid green and black colours, as well as subtle highlights of light purple. In December 2021, Flair ordered an additional 14 Boeing 737 MAX 8s.[19]

Regulatory concerns

In March 2022, the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) ruled that Flair may be in violation of the law that requires it to be controlled by Canadians, and stated that the airline's operating licence may be suspended. Flair denied that it was in violation of Canadian laws and asked for an 18-month exemption to address regulatory concerns.[20] Jones stated that the company would overhaul its board and refinance its debt to reduce foreign influence on the company.[21] The National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Air Canada, Air Transat, and WestJet released a statement asking the CTA to reject Flair's request.[22] In a statement issued on April 21, Jones stated that the airline had a "zero chance" of losing its operating licence and criticised the lack of competition in the Canadian airline industry.[23] On June 1, 2022, the CTA allowed Flair to keep its operating licence after concluding the airline is Canadian.[24]

Passenger complaints

According to the Canadian Transportation Agency, Flair had the highest number of complaints per 100 flights of the major airlines in Canada, averaging 15.3 complaints per 100 flights over the period of April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. In comparison, the largest two airlines in Canada, Air Canada and WestJet, had 4.3 and 6.6 complaints per 100 flights, respectively.[25]

The Canadian Transportation Agency again reported that Flair had the highest numbers of complaints in the first quarter of 2023, with 20.9 complaints per 100 flights. Low-cost leisure carrier Sunwing Airlines was second-worst with 17.4 complaints per 100 flights, while low-cost carrier Lynx Air registered 5.2 complaints per 100 flights over the same period.[26]

Aircraft seizures

On March 11, 2023, Airborne Capital Ltd. seized four of its planes operated by Flair over alleged non-payment. In a press conference, Flair CEO Stephen Jones suggested the seizures were motivated by competitors, and that the airline owed around US$1 million on the leases, and was in the process of making payment when the seizures occurred.[27][28] The lessor, Airborne alleged that Flair had repeatedly missed payments amounting to several millions of dollars over a period of five months. Flair used other aircraft to continue to operate its schedule.[29] In Jan 2024 it was reported that the lessors had filed claims at the UK High Court for costs and that there had been outstanding payments of $1.8 million on the four aircraft when notice of default was served.[30]

Destinations

This is a list of destinations that Flair Airlines has operated to as of January 2024.[6] It includes destinations served after the airline began scheduled flights in 2017 following the acquisition of Canadian travel company NewLeaf, but does not include or specify destinations served by charter flights that the airline mainly operated between 2005 and 2017.

Destinations as of January 2024

Country Province/state City Airport Notes Refs
CanadaAlbertaCalgaryCalgary International AirportBase
EdmontonEdmonton International AirportBase
British ColumbiaAbbotsfordAbbotsford International Airport
KelownaKelowna International Airport
VancouverVancouver International AirportBase
VictoriaVictoria International Airport
ManitobaWinnipegWinnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
New BrunswickSaint JohnSaint John AirportSeasonal
Newfoundland and LabradorDeer LakeDeer Lake Regional Airport[31]
St. John'sSt. John's International AirportBegins May 6, 2024[32]
Nova ScotiaHalifaxHalifax Stanfield International Airport
OntarioKitchener/WaterlooRegion of Waterloo International AirportBase[33]
LondonLondon International Airport[34]
OttawaOttawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport
Thunder BayThunder Bay International Airport[35][36]
TorontoToronto Pearson International AirportBase
WindsorWindsor International AirportSeasonal[37]
Prince Edward IslandCharlottetownCharlottetown AirportSeasonal
QuebecMontrealMontréal–Trudeau International Airport[38]
Quebec CityQuébec City Jean Lesage International Airport [39]
SaskatchewanSaskatoonSaskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport
Dominican RepublicLa AltagraciaPunta CanaPunta Cana International AirportSeasonal[40]
JamaicaSurrey CountyKingstonNorman Manley International Airport
MexicoJaliscoGuadalajaraMiguel Hidalgo y Costilla Guadalajara International AirportBegins May 31, 2024
Puerto VallartaLicenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International AirportSeasonal[41][42]
Quintana RooCancúnCancún International Airport[43]
United StatesArizonaPhoenixPhoenix Sky Harbor International AirportSeasonal[44]
CaliforniaLos AngelesLos Angeles International Airport[45]
Palm SpringsPalm Springs International AirportSeasonal[46]
San FranciscoSan Francisco International Airport[47]
FloridaFort LauderdaleFort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport[46]
OrlandoOrlando Sanford International AirportSeasonal[46][48]
NevadaLas VegasHarry Reid International Airport[46]
New YorkNew York CityJohn F. Kennedy International AirportSeasonal[49]
TennesseeNashvilleNashville International Airport[47]

Terminated destinations

Country Province/state) City Airport Notes Refs
CanadaAlbertaFort McMurrayFort McMurray International AirportTerminated[50]
Grande PrairieGrande Prairie AirportTerminated[51]
British ColumbiaComoxCFB ComoxTerminated[52][53]
KamloopsKamloops AirportTerminated
Prince GeorgePrince George AirportTerminated
OntarioHamiltonJohn C. Munro Hamilton International AirportTerminated[54]
SaskatchewanReginaRegina International AirportTerminated[55][48]
MexicoBaja California SurSan José del CaboLos Cabos International AirportTerminated
United StatesAlaskaAnchorageTed Stevens Anchorage International AirportTerminated[56][48]
ArizonaPhoenixPhoenix–Mesa Gateway AirportTerminated[46][44]
TucsonTucson International AirportTerminated
[57]
CaliforniaBurbankHollywood Burbank AirportTerminated[58][45]
ColoradoDenverDenver International AirportTerminated
FloridaMiamiMiami International AirportTerminated[46]
OrlandoOrlando International AirportTerminated[46][48]
St. PetersburgSt. Pete–Clearwater International AirportTerminated[46]
IllinoisChicagoO'Hare International AirportTerminated[49][48]

Charters

Workforce transportation

Between 2007 and 2010, Flair was the exclusive supplier of large aircraft to Shell Canada's project at Albian Sands where, at its peak, the airline was moving over 10,000 construction workers per month from 14 points across Canada into Shell's project site, north of Fort McMurray, Alberta.

On October 7, 2013, Flair announced a ten-year agreement with Shell Energy Canada to provide air charter transportation services within Canada. Flair provided logistics planning, passenger reservations, and third-party charter aircraft procurement through a new subsidiary called North Sands Air Services.[59]

Around the world tours

In September 2010, Flair was approached by an Ontario-based tour company to operate a world tour program to 14 countries. Flair reconfigured one of its Boeing 737-400s from 158 economy class seats to 76 business class seats.

In 2011, Flair operated another world tour to 14 new destinations.

In October 2013, Flair operated a South American tour to 10 destinations.

Government charters

Flair has provided ongoing personnel movement for the Department of National Defence and other departments of the Canadian federal government.

ACMI charters

Flair also offers aircraft, complete crew, maintenance, and insurance (aircraft, complete crew, maintenance, and insurance or ACMI) charters which provide customers with a 'turn-key' aircraft package.

Passenger charters

Flair used to operate flights on behalf of other Canadian airlines, such as Air Transat.[60]

Fleet

Current fleet

As of October 2023, Flair Airlines operates the following aircraft:[5]

Flair Airlines fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers[9] Notes
Boeing 737-800 2 — 186
Boeing 737 MAX 8 18 — 189 Two aircraft, including C-FLKC, are wet leased to Bonza[61]
Total 20 —

Former fleet

A former Flair Airlines Boeing 737-400 in the 2017–2019 livery

Flair Airlines has previously operated the following aircraft types:[62]

Flair Airlines former fleet
Aircraft Total Introduced Retired
Boeing 727-200 2 2005 2010
Boeing 737-400 8 2008 2020
Cessna 340 1 2009 2015
Dornier 328 1 2014 2016
Embraer 175 1 2014 2016

Cabin and services

Flair's aircraft are configured with 186 or 189 economy class seats in a 3–3 layout. As a low-cost carrier, the airline charges additional fees for various services and amenities, including additional baggage allowances and in-flight catering.[9] Flair offers in-flight entertainment via mobile app or web browser; however, the airline does not offer in-flight Wi-Fi internet access.

References

  1. ↑ "Airline and Location Code Search". International Air Transport Association.
  2. 1 2 "ICAO Designators for Canadian Aircraft Operating Agencies, Aeronautical Authorities and Services" (PDF). Nav Canada. May 4, 2023. p. 4. Retrieved February 26, 2023. Flair Airlines: FLE, FLAIR
  3. ↑ Transport Canada (August 31, 2019), Civil Aviation Services (CAS) AOC. wwwapps.tc.gc.ca.
  4. ↑ "Airline Certificate Information – Detail View". Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Quick Search Result for Flair Airlines". Transport Canada. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Where we fly". Flair Airlines. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  7. ↑ Tennant, Callum (June 1, 2022). "Canada Confirms Flair Airlines Is Sufficiently Canadian". Simple Flying. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Flair Airlines Holds Press Conference About Ongoing Situation - Your Region This Week". Rogers TV. YouTube. April 21, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022. 2:57: Flair employs 772 people directly today; that's pilots, flight attendants and support staff.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "About". Flair Airlines. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Flair Airlines purchases assets of no-frills flight service NewLeaf". CTV News Winnipeg. The Canadian Press. June 7, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  11. ↑ Aumell, Christian (June 7, 2017). "Flair Airlines buys NewLeaf Travel to become one company". Global News. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Airline turning over a 'NewLeaf' on anniversary". CTV News Winnipeg. July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  13. ↑ McNeil, Shane (July 25, 2017). "NewLeaf begins 'new chapter' with name change". BNN. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  14. ↑ Bartko, Karen (June 19, 2018). "Flair Airlines moving headquarters from Kelowna to Edmonton". Global News.
  15. ↑ "Flair Airlines introduces 90-day pass for unlimited spring flights". CTV News Calgary. February 5, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  16. ↑ McMurtry, Ian (March 13, 2021). "777 Partners and Flair Airlines Confirmed for Boeing 737 MAX". AirlineGeeks.com. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  17. ↑ Lampert, Allison (March 18, 2021). "Flair goes frugal as 737 MAX buyer plans European-style relaunch". Reuters. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  18. ↑ Morley, Daniel (January 28, 2021). "Flair Airlines Announces Boeing 737 MAX Order". AirlineGeeks.com. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  19. ↑ Singh, Jay (December 15, 2021). "Flair Airlines Goes Big With Plans For 14 More Boeing 737 MAX 8s". Simple Flying. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  20. ↑ Atkins, Eric (April 6, 2022). "Flair Airlines faces possible loss of operating licence after Canadian control of company questioned". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  21. ↑ Lord, Craig. "Flair Airlines says it will keep operating in Canada. Here's how". Global News. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Canada's Major Airlines Respond to Exemption Request made by Flair Airlines". National Airlines Council of Canada. April 19, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  23. ↑ Wolfsteller, Pilar (April 24, 2022). "Canada's Flair confident it will not lose its licence". FlightGlobal. DVV Media Group. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  24. ↑ Antoneshyn, Alex (June 1, 2022). "Flair Airlines allowed to keep licence after transportation regulator rules company 'is Canadian'". CTV News Edmonton. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  25. ↑ Saba, Rosa (June 5, 2023). "Flair tops Canadian airlines for complaints per 100 flights: Canadian Transportation Agency". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Flair is Canada's worst airline when it comes to passenger complaints, federal data shows". CBC News. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Flair apologizes for cancellations after plane seizures, says leasing company in talks with competitor". CTVNewsEdmonton. March 14, 2023.
  28. ↑ Atkins, Eric (March 11, 2023). "Flair Airlines has four airplanes seized after failing to pay the leasing company, causing several cancelled flights". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023.
  29. ↑ Mulcahy, Karyn (March 14, 2023). "Flair apologizes for cancellations after plane seizures, says leasing company in talks with competitor". CTV News. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Lessors chase 777 Partners for $28m alleging non-payment for Flair 73…". January 10, 2024. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Deer Lake Airport secures new twice-weekly flight to Ontario". CBC News. December 3, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Ultra-low-cost carrier Flair Airlines bringing Ontario flights to St. John's and Deer Lake". CBC. November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Flair Airlines inks deal to fly out of Waterloo region's airport". CBC News. February 10, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Flair Airlines announces sunny destination from London". CTV News London. June 4, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Low-cost airline to begin offering flights out of Thunder Bay in June". CBC News. February 1, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  36. ↑ Rinne, Gary (April 5, 2022). "Runway work will disrupt Flair Airlines service in Thunder Bay (2 Photos)". Thunder Bay News. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  37. ↑ "Flair Airlines to jet from Windsor to Tucson, Halifax and Montreal". CBC News. April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  38. ↑ Tomesco, Frédéric (March 30, 2021). "Ultra-low-cost airline Flair will offer several routes from Montreal". Montreal Gazette.
  39. ↑ Raymond, Paul-Robert (November 29, 2022). "Flair Airlines ajoutera des liaisons vers Halifax et Edmonton à partir de Québec" [Flair Airlines will add connections to Halifax and Edmonton from Quebec]. Le Soleil (in French).
  40. ↑ "FLAIR AIRLINES SCHEDULES PUNTA CANA LAUNCH IN NW23". AeroRoutes. May 30, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  41. ↑ Gastón, Sena (May 5, 2022). "Flair to have flights to Puerto Vallarta from Edmonton and Vancouver". Aviacionline. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  42. ↑ "First Flair Airlines flight arrives from Vancouver, Canada to Puerto Vallarta". Mexico Daily Post. October 26, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  43. ↑ "Flair Airlines expands again with new service to Mexico". CBC News. November 16, 2021.
  44. 1 2 "Winter 2023 heats up with release of Flair Airlines Winter Schedule". Flair Airlines (Press release). Cision. March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  45. 1 2 "Flair Airlines Adds Affordable Non-Stop Sun Service Between Toronto and Cancun, Moves Los Angeles Service to LAX". Flair Airlines (Press release). AccessWire. August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  46. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Flair Airlines Expands to the USA". Flair Airlines (Press release). GlobeNewswire News Room. December 17, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  47. 1 2 Karp, Aaron (October 21, 2020). "Canada's Flai Airlines To Add Denver, Nashville, SFO To Network". Routes. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  48. 1 2 3 4 5 Liu, Jim (June 14, 2022). "Flair Airlines NS22 Network Adjustment Update - 12JUN22". AeroRoutes. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  49. 1 2 "Flair Airlines Launches to the Big Apple and the Windy City: New Service to New York City and Chicago". Yahoo News Canada. December 21, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  50. ↑ "YMM Safely Expands Domestic Air Service with Flair Airlines". Fort McMurray International Airport. July 23, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  51. ↑ Knull, Danielle (June 16, 2021). "Flair Airlines Announces Service to Grande Prairie". Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  52. ↑ "Flair Airlines arriving at the Comox Valley Airport". Comox Valley Record. October 19, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  53. ↑ Farrell, Terry (July 7, 2022). "Flair fails to catch on in Comox". Saanich News. Black Press Group Ltd. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  54. ↑ "Flair Airlines leaving Hamilton's airport, will fly out of Toronto". Global News. August 3, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  55. ↑ "Flair Airlines grows schedule 33% in Canada and the U.S. with four new aircraft". Flair Airlines (Press release). GlobeNewswire. October 19, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  56. ↑ "Flair Joins Calgarians in their Distaste for High Fares at YYC; Increases Schedule by Over 25% to Give Canadians More Options". Flair Airlines (Press release). AccessWire. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  57. ↑ "Flair Airlines Establishes Winter Base in Tucson Arizona, Bringing Non-Stop Sun at Affordable Prices to Underserved Canadian Markets". Flair Airlines (Press release). Yahoo! Finance. March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  58. ↑ "Flair now flying to Los Angeles / Burbank, CA". Travelweek. November 22, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  59. ↑ "Shell Canada dissolves corporate aviation department". Skies Mag. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  60. ↑ "The 'Mexican game': How Air Transat misled passengers and aviation officials". CBC News. May 31, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  61. ↑ Nelson, Jake. "Bonza's first wet-leased MAX arrives from Flair". Australian Aviation. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  62. ↑ "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: History Search Result". Transport Canada.

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