Swoop (airline)

Swoop is a Canadian ultra low-cost carrier (ULCC) owned by WestJet. It was officially announced on September 27, 2017,[4] and began flights on June 20, 2018.[5] The airline is based in Calgary, Alberta,[4] and was named after WestJet's desire to "swoop" (or jump) into the Canadian market with a new business model.[4] Shortly after launch, WestJet announced that Swoop would not be based in Calgary, but in another nearby market like Edmonton, Abbotsford, Hamilton or Winnipeg.[6] On February 1, 2018,[5] 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.[7]

Swoop
IATA ICAO Callsign
WO WSW SWOOP
Founded2017
Commenced operationsJune 20, 2018
AOC #Canada 18771,[1] United States 5OOF541F[2]
Hubs
Fleet size9[3]
Destinations23
Parent companyWestJet
HeadquartersCalgary, Alberta, Canada
WebsiteFlySwoop.com

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,[8] 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. [9]

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.[4]

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.[10]

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.[11] 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.[12] On October 20, 2018, Swoop delayed launch of American flights until October 27, 2018, due to a lack of U.S. approval.[13] Starting April and May 2019, Swoop began launching service to London and Kelowna.[14] On June 24, 2019, Swoop announced Los Cabos as a new destination, which commenced in November 2019.[15] On December 19, 2019, Swoop announced three new summer seasonal destinations including Victoria, Kamloops, and one U.S. destination, San Diego.[16] On January 9, 2020, Swoop expands its East Coast network with three new destinations to St. John's, Charlottetown, and Moncton.[17]

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 2020.[3][4][18]

Swoop fleet
Aircraft In
service		 Orders Passengers Notes/sources
Boeing 737-800 9 1 189 39 seats with extra legroom
Total 9 1

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.[19]

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.[20] 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. [20]

Swoop's fleet is equipped with AC power and USB ports at every seat on each of their aircraft.[19]

Destinations

Swoop focuses on point-to-point flying, not offering connections. In terms of destinations, Swoop's eastern hub is Toronto Pearson International Airport, and its western hub is Edmonton International Airport[21][22] Some destinations, such as Sangster International Airport are served seasonally.[23][24] Swoop has an agreement with travel company Sunwing that allows passengers out of Hamilton, Abbotsford, Winnipeg and Edmonton to book Sunwing vacation packages with Swoop flights.[25] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of destinations have been suspended.

The current destinations are:[26]

Country Province/state City Airport Notes Refs
CanadaAlbertaEdmontonEdmonton International AirportWestern hub
CanadaBritish ColumbiaAbbotsfordAbbotsford International AirportLaunch destination
CanadaBritish ColumbiaKelownaKelowna International AirportStarted May 24, 2019
CanadaNova ScotiaHalifaxHalifax Stanfield International AirportLaunch destination

Suspended as of January 11, 2021 [27]
CanadaOntarioHamiltonJohn C. Munro Hamilton International AirportLaunch destination
CanadaManitobaWinnipegWinnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International AirportLaunch destination
CanadaOntarioTorontoToronto Pearson International AirportEastern hub
CubaMatanzasVaraderoJuan Gualberto Gómez AirportBegins February 12, 2021[28]
Jamaica Saint James ParishMontego BaySangster International AirportStarted December 16, 2018
MexicoJaliscoPuerto VallartaLicenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International AirportStarted January 8, 2019
MexicoQuintana RooCancúnCancún International AirportStarted January 14, 2019
MexicoSinaloaMazatlánMazatlán International AirportStarted January 20, 2019
United StatesArizonaPhoenixPhoenix–Mesa Gateway AirportStarted October 27, 2018
United StatesFloridaOrlandoOrlando International AirportStarted October 27, 2018
United StatesFloridaTampaTampa International AirportStarted October 27, 2018
United StatesNevadaLas VegasMcCarran International AirportStarted October 27, 2018

Former destinations:

Country Province/state City Airport Notes Refs
CanadaOntarioLondonLondon International AirportStarted April 28, 2019Destination Terminated as of Winter 2020
MexicoBaja California SurLos CabosLos Cabos International AirportStarted November 2, 2019Destination Terminated as of Winter 2020
United StatesFloridaFort LauderdaleFort Lauderdale–Hollywood International AirportStarted November 2, 2018Destination Terminated as of Winter 2020

References
  1. Transport Canada (2019-08-28), Civil Aviation Services (CAS) AOC. wwwapps.tc.gc.ca.
  2. "Federal Aviation Administration - Airline Certificate Information - Detail View". av-info.faa.gov. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  3. "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Quick Search Result for Swoop". Transport Canada. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  4. "Meet Swoop". Swoop. September 27, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  5. "Swoop is on sale". Swoop. February 1, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  6. Tucker, Erika (August 7, 2017). "New WestJet discount airline 'may be based outside of Calgary'". Global News. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  7. "Route Map: See where we fly". Swoop Airlines. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  8. "WestJet plans to launch new discount airline". Maclean's. August 31, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  9. "WestJet delays launch of discount airline until 2018". CBC News. August 31, 2018.
  10. "Low-cost airline Swoop's maiden flight lands in Abbotsford". Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  11. "U.S. gets service from Canada's ultra-low-fare airline, Swoop". Swoop. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  12. "Swoop announces service to Mexico". Swoop. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  13. "Swoop airlines waiting on U.S. approval". CHCH. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  14. Swoop Inc. (May 24, 2019). "Swoop lifts-off with three more inaugural summer routes". Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  15. "2019 Winter Schedule". FlySwoop.com. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  16. Swoop Inc. (December 13, 2019). "Swoop Continues North American Expansion with Release of 2020 Summer Schedule". Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  17. Swoop Inc. (January 9, 2020). "Swoop grows its East Coast network". Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  18. "Global Airline Guide 2019 (Part One)". Airliner World. October 2019: 9.
  19. "Our fleet | Swoop". Swoop. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  20. "Swoop makes travel easy with their new mobile app | Swoop". Swoop. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  21. "Ultra Low Cost Airline". Swoop. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  22. Heidenreich, Phil. "Low-cost airline Swoop to offer direct flights between Edmonton and Winnipeg this fall". Global News. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  23. "Swoop adds Jamaica service with seasonal flights to Montego Bay from Hamilton". CTV News. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  24. "Where We Fly, Destinations, Route Map | Swoop". Swoop. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  25. "Sunwing partners with Swoop". Swoop.
  26. "Swoop Airlines". Swoop Airlines. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  27. "Twitter- FlySwoop".
  28. Liu, Jim. "Swoop intends to add Toronto – Varadero route in Feb 2021". Routesonline. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
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