I'm forever amazed at the insane tax rates on the Canadian charter flights now. Used to be charter flights were the cheapest deal around...now a $57 round trip still costs you $400. That's just nutty.

I can't quite figure out how the charter's fuel somehow costs more than a regular carrier...since a regular carrier charges less than half the tax. That's some spectacular math, gotta say. LOL

Well, The taxes on Canadian based airlines, Air Canada and WestJet as you know, have pretty much the same taxes. Sunwing just introduced a $30 dollar increase in there taxes and surcharges.It happens to be the American airline companies that the taxes are a heck of a lot cheaper. When we flew in February, the taxes out of Calgary on a Canadian company was about $300 for a DIRECT flight, and allof the American airlines where at least half. We flew USAirways, and the taxes where $113, and that included 2 stops in the US going down, and one stop in the US coming back. I find it absolutely ridiculous what we get hosed for "taxes and surcharges".

I agree - I could understand the "taxes and surcharges" if they made sense, but what's so different about them in comparison to other airlines? What extra taxes are applicable? The itineraries don't give any detail and when you call the airlines, they tell you nada. It's certainly not like Scare Canada is giving you better service for the money they charge (they never have, likely never will).

Big news out of AB yesterday though, WestJet agreed to a codeshare partnership with Southwest Airlines, which is intended to open up more markets to WJ south of the border and open up the international capability for SW up north here. I like it - two low cost carriers teaming up which opens up a plethora of new flying opportunities.

Now here's hoping the taxes stay reasonable. (-;

We booked 5 packages to PV for Nov 3 on Sunwing yesterday and taxes were $323 per seat. No other surcharges.

There was a report somewhere that Westjet were starting direct flights to PV? Be great to have an option to the Alaska flights (no cash flights soon doncha know) or the other multi-stop flights.

Actually, WestJet has been Flying to PV Direct out of Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver for quite some time now. Only problem is, you can't book it with them. It is an Air Transat Vacation or Charter service, operated by Westjet. It sure would be nice for them to open up flights there, as it has been and still is a VERY popular travel Destination. IMO, more people from north of the 49th go to PV than to Cabo, which WestJet flys to regularly.

But hey, What do I know, I am just a customer...

Bigeye:

Thinking about it we did an Scare Transat charter out of Vancouver 3 years ago and Westjet were the carrier. Not bad by comparison to some Transat flights we have had.

Jenny: didn't catch all of your sub - sorry.

SW and Westjet teamed up? Wud give a few other airlines something to worry about. The biggest drawback to PV is the lack of direct flights. We have done some horrendous flights on Alaska, layovers for 4/5 hours plus, 12/14 hours to get back to Vancouver. Means that charter/AI type stuff is about all you can do unless you enjoy spending halfg a day in an airport. This year we managed direct flights for last week march/first week april with Skyservice, but actually booked the flights in Sept/07.

WJ received their government designations in early June to start flights to certain Mexican destinations, and they will start doing their own flights to PV from certain cities as early as this coming high season - no tour package charter affiliation anymore so you won't have to buy them through Transat or Signature or someone else.

Which means if you collect WJ mileage, you can start collecting on PV flights and booking PV flights directly from the WestJet website or with the airline directly by calling.

Here is the list:

www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php…

WestJet received the following designations effective immediately:

Vancouver-Mazatlan

Calgary-Puerto Vallarta

Edmonton-Cancun

Edmonton-Puerto Vallarta

Winnipeg-Mazatlan

Winnipeg-Puerto Vallarta

Halifax-Cancun

WestJet received the following designations effective December 2009:

Vancouver-Cancun

Vancouver-Puerto Vallarta

Calgary-Cancun

Winnipeg-Cancun

Toronto-Cancun

Toronto-Puerto Vallarta

Montreal-Cancun

Last charter I flew was in 2005, and it was WestJet. Excellent flight, excellent service - loved the seat back tv's, made the flight seem shorter. Still the usual charter leg room (as in, none) but maybe that will change now that they won't be doing the typical charter "cattle runs". (-;

Vancouver/PV direct is posted for dec/09 but hey - wud prefer to fly Vancouver to Calgary for peanuts and then do Calgary PV direct than one of the grocery store flights all over hither and yon.

That will be the route for March/April/09.

The Westjet peforming for Scare Transat flight we did was fine. I'm 6'1'' and 235 pounds and was comfortable. You can take almost anything for 4/5 hours if you know you're going to PV.

Might want to call WJ to determine when they are starting the YYC/PVR route, nothing yet on the website...

I do expect a seat sale when they announce the new route though - they always do that, so keep an eye peeled.

Thanks - will do. Wud be worth checking their website every day or so. Can always scam a week or so off work. . . .

When Aloha announced direct YVR/Honolulu flights a couple of years back we managed to get 2 seats for $208 return. We did similar when Westjet started the direct flights to Hawaii, and saved enough to stay at the Outrigger Reef.