Air Canada plans elite 40-seat jets. – Air Canada is set to launch yet another flying brand, called Elite, that will turn normal jets into luxury cruisers for expense-account-equipped business travellers.Elite will be a separate airline — one of five smaller brands spun off from the main airline — whose Airbus A-319 jets will contain about 40 seats, substantially less than the 120 or seats found in a regular A-319, Robert Milton, Air Canada’s chief executive officer, said yesterday.
Air Canada’s problem is not brand. They have a huge debt, and no meaningful competition, which equates to high prices and no incentive for individuals to travel. Example: Over the past week I have been in Las Vegas. The US Air fare was around $700. Air Canada’s was in excess of $2,000. Guess who I flew?
