Want to fly to Europe but don’t really like the idea of being crammed in with 200+ others on a huge plane? It turns out that a number of airlines are now making it easier for travelers to hop on a smaller flight across the Atlantic, often at lower costs, too. Earlier this week I wrote a story for Fodor’s about WOW Air’s plans to use A320 aircraft for seasonal service connecting Boston to Europe via their hub in Reykjavik. It turns out there will be more.
WestJet announced today that they are launching seasonal service from St. John’s to Dublin on 737-700s. The new flights will offer through-service from Toronto on the same aircraft and connections from several other cities in Canada. The flight is blocked at 4:15 eastbound – a miserably short redeye flight – and 5:05 westbound. Both are shorter than most transcon flights in North America. Fares are starting at $200 one-way from St. John’s and $300 from Toronto.
Air Canada also has seasonal service (and has for a few years) out of St. John’s, using an A319 to London. The trip is only slightly longer than WestJet’s Dublin service will be.
And then, of course, there is British Airways and their A318 service between London’s City Airport and JFK. The smallest of the planes actually flying the furthest. And with the fewest people on board.
Sun Country has flown to London in the past on their 737s as well but that service doesn’t seem to be on the schedule for 2014 yet. We’ll have to keep an eye out for that to show up again.
And, of course, the United Airlines, Delta & American Airlines 757s will continue to fly as well. They seem downright jumbo compared to these other options.
So, anyone else interested in a party flight for the inaugural YYT-DUB??
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Wow! YYT-DUB is just a bit over 2000 miles. Perhaps, I could put this to good use if there are not award seats available mid-july over the Atlantic.
Very cool!!!! Total price is only $168.99 CAD from DUB to YYT one-way all-in mid-July.
I have never been to Newfoundland, any tips for a quick stopover?
And don’t forget the BA OpenSkies hops to Paris. Basic seats down the back in economy, but premium economy is the same seat as AA’s domestic 767-200 business recliner and is often cheaper than flying to London in economy (thanks, APD).
And (Oprah voice!) everyone gets an iPad with preloaded content for entertainment. It’s a pretty good deal.
Ahhh, yes; I forgot about OpenSkies. Been meaning to try them out one of these days.
I flew one of those several years ago. Don’t remember the details, but I;m guessing LCY to Dublin for fuel and US pre-clearance etc. All BC, not all that long and truly superior meal and service. And the cost was not crazy. (I think that service has ended, or soon will.) Other routes, even in coach are not bad, shorter than most and give flyers bound for elsewhere a great way to avoid the misery and obscene fees imposed when connecting in/near London. And heavens yes, with careful routing and timing, the total trip length is not a lot more, sometimes you get a pleasant break and the potential savings can be substantial. Better than a 747/380 direct to LHR? Heck yes!! Great post, Seth. I hope more folks, perhaps those not in some urgent rush can take advantage of these two-leg pond jumpers.
The option via Shannon is the BA A318. It isn’t typically cheap but the all business class layout is nice. And it is nonstop from JFK in to LCY; the SNN stop is only westbound.
Seth,
Have you watched this video? It’s shows how Air Canada prepared for the YYT-LHR A-319 service. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JQq1HjyVKA
It looks like WoW has some flights from Iceland to places like Paris for around $150 which isn’t bad really. Could be an economy backdoor opportunity.
I followed your link to WOW and then to this article re Norwegian Air’s inexpensive flights– http://www.fodors.com/news/more-affordable-transatlantic-flights-low-cost-carriers-7271.html — and at the Norwegian site, it looks like they have access to extremely cheap car rentals. I compared one rental at 45 Euros for a week in Malaga in March of a small cheap car to $189 at Europcar, the site I usually use.
Who will be the first to fly a regional jet to Europe?
Technically Air Greenland does it with a Dash-8 today. 😮
Iceland Air operates with single aisle 757 and soon 739s, Ryanair has been eyeing 737 service since a while. LX, KL and LH had BBK service on 738 and 319s for a while too.