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Original poster

Flights to Vancouver - Air Canada or British Airways

30 replies

PoolSquid · 04/08/2022 14:00

I need to fly to Canada at the end of the month, if I want to fly direct (which I'm assuming is the least risky strategy in terms of likely cancellations and the knock on effects of that) it looks like it needs to be Air Canada or British Airways. Both out of Heathrow, similar prices for the dates I need, is one a safer bet than the other?

OP posts:
chipsandpeas · 04/08/2022 14:05

id say its much the same ive flown both this year and theres not much difference least in economy from what i experienced

gogohmm · 04/08/2022 15:02

I've flown both, both on time. Go with the times that suit you best.

gogohmm · 04/08/2022 15:04

I think air Canada's food was slightly better but got more complimentary alcohol out of ba

aftonwater · 04/08/2022 15:05

I agree that there isn't much to choose between them so go with the timings that suit you best.

Original poster
PoolSquid · 04/08/2022 15:51

The timings are pretty much identical, within an hour of each other. With all the news about BA and Heathrow I just wasn't sure if one was a safer bet in terms of risk of being cancelled.

I'm coeliac so my expectations of airplane food are super low! Maybe I'll just check out the options for food in T5 v T2 and decide that way.

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 04/08/2022 15:57

Air Canada out the the choice of the two. Have a lovely trip.

Elefunt · 04/08/2022 19:12

British Airways - T5 for the coeliac win.

FairyBatman · 04/08/2022 19:46

All else being equal I would book the earlier one, that way if it does get cancelled you stand a chance of getting move over.

Rtmhwales · 04/08/2022 19:51

I'm Canadian in Vancouver. I'd book British airways. Air Canada and WestJet (our two biggest) have been canceling flights at an alarming rate for the past 3 weeks. Just to be safer, unless BA is also canceling long haul, I'd go BA.

BritWifeInUSA · 06/08/2022 02:25

Air Canada have been cancelling so many flights lately. Two separate friends have been stranded in Toronto overnight in the last 10 days due to cancelled flights.

PatriciaHolm · 06/08/2022 02:28

Going through T5 this week was a breeze!

Nateismine · 06/08/2022 03:26

We've just flown Westjet from Gatwick. No complaints and food and drink were much better than BA.

CanadianJohn · 06/08/2022 04:41

Air Canada's unofficial motto is "We're not happy till you're not happy".

Flyer beware.

IzzyWizzyFizzy · 06/08/2022 05:21

Recently flew BA to vancouver. It was fine, Heathrow was easy, hardly any queues. Slight delay on the way out, but only 20 minutes or so.

Original poster
PoolSquid · 08/08/2022 12:46

Good to hear getting through Heathrow hasn't been a problem. I'm hopefully booking tickets today, just trying to decide whether to spend more and book directly with the airline or go through a third party site like expedia which is a bit cheaper but I guess more hassle to sort things out if things go wrong.

OP posts:
Lordofmyflies · 08/08/2022 13:37

I'd go BA. Air Canada is pretty poor in my experience, though BA is only slightly better.

Weepingwillows12 · 08/08/2022 13:41

I think t2 has struggled more recently than t5 on the baggage front so I would go BA.

bestbefore · 08/08/2022 13:54

We flew westjet and it was good! Mind you we went from Gatwick!

TizerorFizz · 08/08/2022 15:07

@PoolSquid
We have flown both Air Canada and BA to Vancouver. Mostly recently in June/July with BA. Most Canadians are complaining about Air Canada! Various unflattering adjectives used! When we used it a few years ago it was dire. They also have a hybrid First/Business class which is more expensive than BA business. BA are currently using huge A380s to Vancouver as they had amalgamated flights. If you can get upstairs it’s worth it! So is T5.

When we went BA did not cancel any long haul flights. However are you actually sure they are selling tickets at all? I thought there was a moratorium on sales. You might not get much choice on who to use.

Original poster
PoolSquid · 08/08/2022 15:16

They seem to have flights on sale so I hope they're still selling. One of the reasons I'd prefer to book direct with the airline, I'm a bit concerned some of the third party sites may sell tickets that don't actually exist.

On the dates I want, it's only about 30 more each way for premium economy right now so will probably go for that. I flew premium economy with BA some years ago and wasn't particularly impressed but for a small difference in price it's worth the extra room.

OP posts:
loopylindi · 08/08/2022 15:24

We flew 1st class on Air Canada and it was brilliant. Mind you that was some time ago!!

Original poster
PoolSquid · 08/08/2022 15:46

Business class with both is around 8 grand, so safe to say that won't be happening!

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 08/08/2022 17:25

Air Canada do Signature class. It’s not quite BA first class. If BA have got premium for £30 pp extra each way, take it. As soon as you can, see if you can get PE seats on the top floor. Smaller cabin and better.

onlyconnect · 08/08/2022 17:31

Poolsquid I have PMed you

onlyconnect · 08/08/2022 17:32

PoolSquid I have PMEd you

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