Swoop (airline)
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| Founded | 2017 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commenced operations | June 20, 2018 | ||||||
| AOC # | 5OOF541F[1] | ||||||
| Hubs | |||||||
| Fleet size | 7[2] | ||||||
| Destinations | 16 | ||||||
| Parent company | WestJet | ||||||
| Headquarters | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | ||||||
| Website | FlySwoop.com | ||||||
Swoop is a Canadian ultra low-cost carrier (ULCC) owned by WestJet. It was officially announced on September 27, 2017,[3] and began flights on June 20, 2018.[4] The airline is based in Calgary, Alberta[3] and was named after WestJet's desire to "swoop" (or jump) into the Canadian market with a new business model.[3] Shortly after launch, WestJet announced that Swoop would not be based in Calgary, but in another nearby market like Edmonton, Abbotsford, Hamilton or Winnipeg. [5] On February 1, 2018[4], Swoop officially began selling tickets to the public, announcing John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport as their main hub and Edmonton International Airport as their western hub.[6]
History
In April 2017, WestJet announced that it was planning to launch a new airline to enter the growing ultra low-cost carrier (ULCC) market and compete against NewLeaf (now Flair Airlines). The airline was planned to launch in late 2017[7], but in August 2017 it was delayed to June 2018 after switching to a lower-cost booking system. The delay also allowed WestJet to reconfigure aircraft for Swoop over the Spring 2018 season. [8]
Swoop was officially announced on September 27, 2017, and was expected to have base fares 40% lower than WestJet's fares. It was announced that Swoop would launch with six Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Tickets first became available for sale on February 1, 2018.[3]
On June 20, 2018 Swoop officially launched with two Boeing 737-800 aircraft in its fleet. The first flight was from John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport to Abbotsford International Airport, with passengers paying an average of $103 for the flight. Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, Edmonton International Airport, and Halifax Stanfield International Airport were also launch destinations. The fleet of 2 aircraft was planned to be expanded to 6 by the end of 2018 and to 10 in 2019.[9]
On August 2, 2018, Swoop announced that it was to become the first Canadian ultra low-cost airline to fly to the United States, launching service to Las Vegas, Phoenix (Mesa), Tampa, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale throughout the month of October 2018.[10] However, prior to launching service in October, Swoop announced service to four more Mexican and Caribbean destinations launching in December 2018 and January 2019; Puerto Vallarta, Montego Bay, Cancun and Mazatlan.[11] On October 20, 2018, Swoop delayed launch of American flights until October 27, 2018 due to a lack of U.S. approval.[12] Starting April and May 2019, Swoop began launching service to London and Kelowna.[13] On June 24th, 2019, Swoop announced Los Cabos as a new destination launching in November 2019.[14]
Fleet
Current fleet
Swoop operates a fleet composed entirely of Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, specifically the Boeing 737-800. Swoop plans to operate a fleet of six aircraft in 2018, scaling up to 10 aircraft by spring 2019.[2][15]
| Aircraft | In service |
Orders | Passengers | Notes/sources | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-800 | 7 | 0 | 189 | 39 seats with extra legroom | |
| Total | 7 | 0 | |||
Swoop's current fleet is equipped with Recaro BL3520 leather seats and pink antimacassars over the headrests. Each seat includes a tray-table, seat pocket, an adjustable headrest, and movable armrests (except in row 1).
Livery
Swoop's fleet of aircraft are painted with the Swoop logo large across the fuselage, and a pink tail with a white line leading up to a silhouette of an aircraft. The winglets are painted in a similar pattern to the tail, pink with a white stripe through it. This pattern is the same on the inside and outside of the winglets. Each aircraft is given a name painted in pink below the windows of the cockpit on both sides of the aircraft.[16] The current names for Swoop's aircraft are:
| Name | Registration |
|---|---|
| #Hamilton[17] | C-GDMP |
| #Abbotsford[17] | C-FPLS |
| #Bob[18] | C-GXRW |
| #Jon[19] | C-FONK |
| #Chinook[20] | C-FLBV |
| #OhCanada[21] | C-FYBK |
| #Bruce[22] | C-FLSF |
In-flight entertainment, WiFi, and in-seat power
Swoop offers in-flight entertainment and internet through their mobile app. The Swoop app can be accessed on any web-based mobile device, including phones, tablets and laptops. The in-flight entertainment portion of the app is called "Swoop Stream". Through Swoop Stream, guests are able to watch the latest movies and television shows streaming on Swoop flights.[23] However, effective March 1, 2019, Swoop began removing the free in-flight entertainment services from its fleet of Boeing 737 NG aircraft. Swoop continues to offer internet on all flights; the internet can be accessed through Swoop Stream and is available for a fee based on time. [23]
Swoop's fleet is equipped with AC power and USB ports at every seat on each of their aircraft.[16]
Destinations
Swoop focuses on point-to-point flying, not offering connections. In terms of destinations, Swoop's biggest hub is John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, offering service to almost all destinations.[24] Swoop's western base is Edmonton International Airport.[25] Some destinations, such as Sangster International Airport are served seasonally.[26][27]
The current destinations are:[28]
References
- ^ "Federal Aviation Administration - Airline Certificate Information - Detail View". av-info.faa.gov. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- ^ a b "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Quick Search Result for Swoop". Transport Canada. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Meet Swoop". Swoop. September 27, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ a b "Swoop is on sale". Swoop. February 1, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Tucker, Erika (August 7, 2017). "New WestJet discount airline 'may be based outside of Calgary'". Global News. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
- ^ "Route Map: See where we fly". Swoop Airlines. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
- ^ "WestJet plans to launch new discount airline". Maclean's. August 31, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
- ^ "WestJet delays launch of discount airline until 2018". CBC News. August 31, 2018.
- ^ "Low-cost airline Swoop's maiden flight lands in Abbotsford". Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "U.S. gets service from Canada's ultra-low-fare airline, Swoop". Swoop. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
- ^ "Swoop announces service to Mexico". Swoop. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
- ^ "Swoop airlines waiting on U.S. approval". CHCH. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
- ^ Smith, Ainsley (January 22, 2019). "Canada's ultra-low-cost carrier now flying to 3 new destinations". Daily Hive.
- ^ "2019 Winter Schedule". FlySwoop.com. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- ^ "Meet Swoop". Swoop. September 27, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ a b "Our fleet | Swoop". Swoop. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
- ^ a b "Swoop Fleet Details and History". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
- ^ "FlySwoop". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Swoop Fleet Details and History". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
- ^ "Flikr". www.flikr.com. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- ^ "Flikr". www.flickr.com. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- ^ "Flightaware". www.flightaware.com. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
- ^ a b "Swoop makes travel easy with their new mobile app | Swoop". Swoop. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
- ^ "Ultra Low Cost Airline". Swoop. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
- ^ Heidenreich, Phil. "Low-cost airline Swoop to offer direct flights between Edmonton and Winnipeg this fall". Global News. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "Swoop adds Jamaica service with seasonal flights to Montego Bay from Hamilton". CTV News. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
- ^ "Where We Fly, Destinations, Route Map | Swoop". Swoop. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ "Swoop Airlines". Swoop Airlines. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
- ^ "Fly away with Swoop to San Diego this winter" (Press release). Calgary: CNW. July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2019.