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Calgary International Airport

Westjet is finally retrofitting all their Swoop/Lynx/Sunwing planes with a new configuration that essentially has Swoop at the back, standard Westjet in the middle, a big Extended Comfort Section and the same size Premium at the front.


Not YYC related but since they're our biggest airline, still somewhat relevant.
 
Pic from YYC press release

View attachment 683353
so from what I gather regarding concourse B rebuild, and please for those in the know, clarify...
1) Removal of previous elevated walkway
2) complete rebuild of interior at existing jetbridge locations, new f&b, ect ect
3) Exterior??? It's obviously very dated, any chance we see new windows and exterior cladding

It will be overwhelming the amount of space gained, less so the overhead walkway, but the access stairs/escalators/elevators at the gates.
 
They have an RFP out right now for terminal redevelopment. Probably related to the Terminal B renovations.

Probably!

Unrelated-ish….with the new central screening area, can we expect all pre-security commercial spaces to now be airside….including the upper food court area between B and C, and removing the glass curtain wall between A and B. I dont see any other way to involve those areas, if you can no longer access them pre security!??
 
Probably!

Unrelated-ish….with the new central screening area, can we expect all pre-security commercial spaces to now be airside….including the upper food court area between B and C, and removing the glass curtain wall between A and B. I dont see any other way to involve those areas, if you can no longer access them pre security!??
I had an appointment at the airport a couple of months ago, and that upper food court was D E A D dead! Sure the airport staff need a place to go and sit and eat and relax but I like your idea of incorporating it into the secure side!
 
I had an appointment at the airport a couple of months ago, and that upper food court was D E A D dead! Sure the airport staff need a place to go and sit and eat and relax but I like your idea of incorporating it into the secure side!
Had the same experience. But I also saw Mucho Burrito and Chachi just opened there in the last few months so there must be a business case?
 
I'm curious as to why Airport travel has changed so much. I remember going to the Montanas, Kelseys, and food court all the time when we used to drop off / pick up my dad from business trips, plus going to that space themed park thing for several birthdays 15+ years ago, but all of that has died off now, and its not just Calgary, all the airports in Canada have basically nothing pre-security anymore.
 
I'm curious as to why Airport travel has changed so much. I remember going to the Montanas, Kelseys, and food court all the time when we used to drop off / pick up my dad from business trips, plus going to that space themed park thing for several birthdays 15+ years ago, but all of that has died off now, and its not just Calgary, all the airports in Canada have basically nothing pre-security anymore.
Definitely the trend these days. I remember flight habits being a bit different 25 years ago, for example, it was more common for people to drop someone at the airport and come in with them to see them off. I don't see that as these days. I'm not sure if it's because there's nothing in the precheck-in part of the airport, or there's nothing in the precheck-in area because of that trend.
I also find my self spending a lot more time in the post-check-in waiting area than I used to 25 years ago, and with all that extra time usually end up spending more.
 
I don't fly often, so this anecdotal evidence is not very well sourced, but for me personally I haven't viewed the airport as somewhere enjoyable for basically my entire adult life (could be a post 9/11 thing). It always goes smoothly and isn't a "bad" experience, but it is just a bit of an anxiety thing because we here constant news about long line-ups at security, etc... So, it is viewed as get there early enough to be sure not to miss your fight, but immediately get through security (and customs if it is a USA bound flight) to make sure you are on time. No thought to casually lounge pre-security.

And if you are just dropping someone off, it is a drop-off at the curb. You wouldn't pay to park short term to eat at a chain restuarant in the mall.
 
Travel is romanticized; travelling is not romantic. I fly economy so maybe that's part of my issue, but we take two vacations a year and maybe end up having a beer before the flight.

Talking about YYC specifically, the major renovations really stole a lot of the airport's charm. It's become very plain and cold. What use to be a large waiting area that overlooked the tarmac and downtown is now somewhere you transit through. The new terminal is better than the old sections but unless you're boarding near the main concourse, you're off on a deserted island.

Also, as someone who flies economy, I am very excited for new WestJet economy seats, I always found it funny people would even recline such a small amount.
 
The "arrive two hours before your flight" to avoid delays at security is what has done it IMO. When I fly, especially internationally, I immediately go through security so I can find my gate, relax, and then figure out food. If I'm being dropped off, I just get dropped off at Departures and when being picked up, I usually text family while going through customs so that they are pulling up to Arrivals at around the time I am ready to go. There really isn't reason to linger in the pre-security part of the airport.
 
The result is likely two fold. First being what many have mentioned with post-security and with many food options post-security, there isn't really a reason to stay pre-security. Travel is also much more common now. The sheer number of flight seats per person in the population has skyrocketed. Travel is no longer as much of a luxury as it used to be, so it's no longer seen as an "event" where the whole family goes to send someone off. People take a cab and fly and it's not a big deal. There's also been more development just off the airport in many Asian cities and even in Vancouver, there's an outlet mall with food options before you get to the airport. Don't need to pay the expensive airport lease for pre-security.
 
I don't fly often, so this anecdotal evidence is not very well sourced, but for me personally I haven't viewed the airport as somewhere enjoyable for basically my entire adult life (could be a post 9/11 thing). It always goes smoothly and isn't a "bad" experience, but it is just a bit of an anxiety thing because we here constant news about long line-ups at security, etc... So, it is viewed as get there early enough to be sure not to miss your fight, but immediately get through security (and customs if it is a USA bound flight) to make sure you are on time. No thought to casually lounge pre-security.

And if you are just dropping someone off, it is a drop-off at the curb. You wouldn't pay to park short term to eat at a chain restuarant in the mall.
Before 9-11 it used to be that you didn't worry about arriving so early. I used to fly a lot on the 90's...like about 40 times a year, sometimes more. I recall many times going to the airport to drop people off, or people dropping me off, and going to one of the pre-check in restaurants and hanging out visiting for a while killing time as the flight neared. There wasn't much if anything once you got past security and were at the gates. Parking at the airport was not cheap, but not near as expensive as today. That's one of the reason's I like to drop people at the curb.
 

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