‘Give us $600 and we’ll hate you, too’: WestJet’s new UltraBasic fares draw criticism online

If there’s one thing people can all agree on right now, it’s that flying sucks.

And in Delays and Cancellations,extreme Turbulenceand jet aircraft Falling apart in the skyIt seems some people have had enough of the flying experience, which has not only not gotten better, but has gotten worse.

This may partly explain why WestJet launches new UltraBasic faresand you can board the plane there.

Announcement Tuesdaythe new “No Extras Fare Option” does not allow for carry-on bags (unless you’re flying overseas), seats are at the back of the plane, and passengers who choose this fare will board last. They also cannot earn WestJet awards.

Even so, an UltraBasic round-trip ticket from Toronto to Calgary in late June cost about $650.

“UltraBasic is designed to expedite the boarding process and provide the most competitive pricing,” a WestJet spokesperson told CBC News in an email on Tuesday.

Sarcastic comments immediately appeared on the Internet, including satirical news websites Beaverton satirized the company with an article describing a fare where passengers would just stay home and give them the money, and people The new fares were described on social media as “Give us $600 and we’ll hate you too” and “Just sit and shut up.”

Beaverton’s article Reddit’s r/Canada Similar questions were raised in Canada’s aviation community this week, with commenters offering their own ideas that airlines could use to attract passengers and spark competition in Canada’s aviation industry, including extra oxygen fees and discounts for pushing your own plane.

One person wrote in a review: “For just $99, WestJet will print walking directions to your destination via MapQuest.”

On Friday, content producer Stewart Reynolds, aka Brittlestar, posted His response to X In one video, he mockingly impersonated a WestJet employee.

“Changing clothes is a luxury now,” he said in the video, before adding, “Your seat will be pre-assigned to the back of the plane, the smelliest, most uncomfortable place we could think of, just for fun.”

“WestJet’s rewards program,” he continued. “Rewards for what? Poor? Get out.”

Air Canada and Porter join forces

The morning after WestJet made the announcement, Air Canada made its own The result was even happier: free drinks.

“Cheers to summer! We’re offering free beer, wine and premium snacks in our Economy Class experience on flights within Canada and the U.S.,” the airline wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.

Many online pointed out the timing of Air Canada’s announcement, calling it “perfectly timed.”

One person said: “Free beer on Air Canada…free change of clothes on WestJet?” Written on Xusing slang to suggest that they must hide their luggage where the sun doesn’t shine.

Not to be outdone, Porter Airlines, another major Canadian airline, noted that it has been offering free wine and beer on its flights.

The company wrote on X: “Thank you for joining us in our mission to help make the economy truly affordable for everyone! What’s next? A raccoon mascot?”

Remember standing seats?

WestJet is certainly not the first airline to cut costs and maintain only essential services, nor is it the first airline to face backlash for doing so.

European Airlines RyanairFor example, it was proposed to sell only standing tickets and to charge an additional fee for using the toilet.

Low-cost airlines Viva Colombia Also expressed interest in standing room seats, although Washington post In 2019, it was reported that no airline had yet ordered the vertical seats designed by Aviointeriors.

CNN reports This year, airlines around the world will be updating their fleets, which could mean some changes for economy class passengers, for better or worse. According to the network, some airlines will add a 10th seat to each row of economy class.

But CNN predicts the new planes could bring some positive changes to the masses, like better seat cushions and “mood lighting.”

WestJet announced in a news release on Monday that it will be adding more aircraft as part of its “ambitious growth strategy.”

But the release noted that the aircraft “will not immediately reflect the WestJet Group’s cabin interior experience.”

Meanwhile, at the other end of the air travel experience, for tens of thousands of dollars you can sip champagne and eat lobster dinners while stretching out in your own double bed. Private Suite Singapore Airlines.