Flair Airlines is a Canadian ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta.[9] The airline operates scheduled passenger and chartered services with a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. The company slogan is Plane and Simple. The airline promotes itself as being Canada's first and only independent ULCC.[9]
The airline began operations as a privately owned company on August 19, 2005, under the name Flair Air. In January 2006, Transport Canada authorised the airline to operate scheduled all-cargo services between Cuba and Canada, on behalf of Cubana de Aviación, until April 7, 2006. It also operated some passenger flights on behalf of Cubana. Flair Air operated two Boeing 727-200 aircraft, one for passenger movements and the other for freight services. During this period, Flair also began providing workforce transportation services to several natural resources and major construction companies across Canada.
2008–2019
A former Flair Air Boeing 737-400 in the pre-2017 livery
Flair began adding Boeing 737-400s to its fleet in 2008 to replace the 727-200s. The airline continued to add these aircraft until delivery of a fifth aircraft in 2015. In January 2014, Flair acquired a VIP Embraer ERJ-175 and a VIP Dornier Do-328. Both were retired in September 2016. In June 2017, Flair announced it had purchased the assets of Manitoba-based discount travel company NewLeaf, of which it had been the operator of NewLeaf's flights, as it was not licensed as an airline.[10] Flair retained 85% of former NewLeaf staff in the acquisition,[11] and the NewLeaf brand was retired on July 25, 2017, with flights subsequently operated under the Flair name thereafter.[12][13]
In late 2017, Flair Air rebranded as Flair Airlines, in which it unveiled a new magenta and blue livery, acquired additional aircraft, and announced plans to add more in 2018 and 2019. Two more 737-400s arrived at the airline in December 2017. In 2018, Flair moved its headquarters from Kelowna International Airport to Edmonton International Airport,[14] and 777 Partners invested in Flair with the goal of building a Canadian low-fare carrier. In December 2018, Flair received three leased Boeing 737-800s. These were returned to lessor Smartwings in 2019 as a separately leased trio of 737-800s arrived at the airline.
In February 2019, Flair went through a "top to bottom" makeover, changing its signature colours from purple and red to acid green and black. This reflected the airline's new "Plane and Simple" branding. The brand makeover included a new livery that remains on the airline's 737-800s. New flight attendant uniforms were also rolled out in September 2019.
In February 2020, Flair offered unlimited travel in the form of a one-time fee 90-day pass valid between February 13 and May 13, 2020.[15] In August 2020, Flair retired their final Boeing 737-400 aircraft in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[16]
In January 2021, Flair announced an order for 13 Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets from financing partner 777 Partners, with plans to grow to 50 aircraft within 5 years. The first of these aircraft arrived in May 2021, with a total of 8 scheduled to arrive over the summer months. The remaining five were planned to arrive before 2022.[17] This order came at a crucial time for Boeing, as it restarted MAX operations following a months-long grounding of the type.[18] All future aircraft deliveries to Flair were to be painted in an updated livery, which includes the airline's signature acid green and black colours, as well as subtle highlights of light purple. In December 2021, Flair ordered an additional 14 Boeing 737 MAX 8s.[19]
Regulatory concerns
In March 2022, the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) ruled that Flair may be in violation of the law that requires it to be controlled by Canadians, and stated that the airline's operating licence may be suspended. Flair denied that it was in violation of Canadian laws and asked for an 18-month exemption to address regulatory concerns.[20] Jones stated that the company would overhaul its board and refinance its debt to reduce foreign influence on the company.[21] The National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Air Canada, Air Transat, and WestJet released a statement asking the CTA to reject Flair's request.[22] In a statement issued on April 21, Jones stated that the airline had a "zero chance" of losing its operating licence and criticised the lack of competition in the Canadian airline industry.[23] On June 1, 2022, the CTA allowed Flair to keep its operating licence after concluding the airline is Canadian.[24]
Passenger complaints
According to the Canadian Transportation Agency, Flair had the highest number of complaints per 100 flights of the major airlines in Canada, averaging 15.3 complaints per 100 flights over the period of April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. In comparison, the largest two airlines in Canada, Air Canada and WestJet, had 4.3 and 6.6 complaints per 100 flights, respectively.[25]
The Canadian Transportation Agency again reported that Flair had the highest numbers of complaints in the first quarter of 2023, with 20.9 complaints per 100 flights. Low-cost leisure carrier Sunwing Airlines was second-worst with 17.4 complaints per 100 flights, while low-cost carrier Lynx Air registered 5.2 complaints per 100 flights over the same period.[26]
Aircraft seizures
On March 11, 2023, Airborne Capital Ltd. seized four of its planes operated by Flair over alleged non-payment. In a press conference, Flair CEO Stephen Jones suggested the seizures were motivated by competitors, and that the airline owed around US$1million on the leases, and was in the process of making payment when the seizures occurred.[27][28] The lessor, Airborne alleged that Flair had repeatedly missed payments amounting to several millions of dollars over a period of five months. Flair used other aircraft to continue to operate its schedule.[29] In Jan 2024 it was reported that the lessors had filed claims at the UK High Court for costs and that there had been outstanding payments of $1.8 million on the four aircraft when notice of default was served.[30]
Destinations
This is a list of destinations that Flair Airlines has operated to as of January 2024[update].[6] It includes destinations served after the airline began scheduled flights in 2017 following the acquisition of Canadian travel company NewLeaf, but does not include or specify destinations served by charter flights that the airline mainly operated between 2005 and 2017.
Between 2007 and 2010, Flair was the exclusive supplier of large aircraft to Shell Canada's project at Albian Sands where, at its peak, the airline was moving over 10,000 construction workers per month from 14 points across Canada into Shell's project site, north of Fort McMurray, Alberta.
On October 7, 2013, Flair announced a ten-year agreement with Shell Energy Canada to provide air charter transportation services within Canada. Flair provided logistics planning, passenger reservations, and third-party charter aircraft procurement through a new subsidiary called North Sands Air Services.[59]
Around the world tours
In September 2010, Flair was approached by an Ontario-based tour company to operate a world tour program to 14 countries. Flair reconfigured one of its Boeing 737-400s from 158 economy class seats to 76 business class seats.
In 2011, Flair operated another world tour to 14 new destinations.
In October 2013, Flair operated a South American tour to 10 destinations.
Government charters
Flair has provided ongoing personnel movement for the Department of National Defence and other departments of the Canadian federal government.
Flair's aircraft are configured with 186 or 189 economy class seats in a 3–3 layout. As a low-cost carrier, the airline charges additional fees for various services and amenities, including additional baggage allowances and in-flight catering.[9] Flair offers in-flight entertainment via mobile app or web browser; however, the airline does not offer in-flight Wi-Fi internet access.
.svg){kind=logo}
