Flair Airlines Reviews: Pros and Cons [Reviewed in 2022]

Overview

This airline’s humble beginnings occur in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (2005), under Flair Air. However, the air company will later go through a rebranding (2017) and become Flair Airlines.

The primary idea behind Flair Airlines is to make flying more affordable and accessible to everyone. No wonder why these types of airlines are often referred to as “no-frills” or “budget” airlines. That’s the case because they offer lower fares by cutting out unnecessary extras, or, in other words – you pay for the ticket itself, with everything else to be paid for.

What’s even more impressive is the fact that after the establishment and period of changes, Flair Air Canada has quickly expanded to include numerous domestic and cross-border destinations. Despite being a relative newcomer to the industry, this airline has made quite a name for itself, ranking among the likes of Canada Jetlines and Porter Airlines.

Furthermore, its employees are trained professionals focusing on safety and customer service. Their impressive track record is what makes Flair Airlines flights stand out from the rest.

Flair Airlines Features

I’m sure you’re eager to check out the features now, right? Let’s jump into them!

Booking

You can book tickets on Flair Airlines’ official website or through a relevant third-party site. You can choose between one-way and round-trip tickets and the specifics of your travel dates and times.

Furthermore, as with all airlines, Flair requires your full payment before issuing/confirming your air ticket. You don’t have to memorize all the details of the upcoming flight since the company sends out a confirmation email containing everything you need to know (from check-in and boarding to flight details).

Check-In

The Flair Online check-in is available for all flights. You’ll especially want to do this since each passenger is charged a $25 fee at airports for check-in + taxes – it’s worth doing it in advance.

It’s also recommended that you do so to avoid any possible delays or complications and save up on certain expenses.

Note: Remember that you must do online check-in 24 hours prior to your flight.

Seating and Boarding

The Flair Airlines seat map allows you to pick your favourite seat on the plane, given that you purchase a seat selection in advance. If not, the airline will automatically assign you a seat when you check in online or at the airport.

For instance, you can look at the Flair Airline Boeing 737 seat map and find details like pitch, width, and recline of seats.

Employees

According to the latest company reports (2022), Flair currently has 772 employees on board to keep everything in order and maintain the organization of passengers and flights going in and out.

Airflair Airlines Fleet

The two main Flair airplanes in circulation are Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Boeing 737-800. Both are twin-engine, single-aisle aircraft with a standard configuration of 189 and 186 passengers, respectively.

Since they’re aiming toward becoming Canada’s most sustainable airline, their planes are equipped with the latest fuel-efficient engines. Carbon dioxide emissions are significantly lower than on other similar aircraft, making for an eco-friendlier flying experience.

Note: The Boeing 737 MAX 8 contributes to a safer environment by significantly reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, i.e. emitting 14% less CO2 than today’s most efficient single-aisle aircraft.

Seats and Cabins

When selecting your tickets, you should be able to get a pretty good idea of the seating arrangement. However, you need to remember that the plane’s single-aisle configuration means no middle seats and no worries about being crammed between passengers.

Entertainment

Once you’ve completed the Flair check-in, found your seat, and are all buckled up – sit back and enjoy the flight.

The in-flight entertainment system includes various movies and TV shows to choose from and interactive games for children and adults. Hence, if you get bored, there’s always the good old-fashioned emergency card to keep you entertained.

However, you must download the Flair app to get access and make the best of Flair’s entertainment offers + see the menu offerings (food and beverages).

Food and Beverages

Complimentary food and drink options are readily available, should you get peckish during the flight. The menu includes a variety of snacks and beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

If you have any specific dietary requirements, you can make a request when booking your ticket, and the airline will do their best to accommodate you.

Air Crew

The flight crew on board is packed with experienced professionals licensed to deal with potential emergencies. They’re also trained and ready to deliver the utmost customer service, so don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.

Rebranding

It wasn’t until 2019 that Flyfair in Canada went through a complete makeover, i.e. rebranding.

Let’s see what changes have taken place:

• 2019 — the air company switched signature colours, from purple and red to bright green and black.

They have adjusted their exterior to fit with their ‘plane and simple’ philosophy. And this can be seen in flight attendants’ uniforms too, which are now more streamlined and modern.

• 2020 — the company introduced unlimited travelling. This offering was actually a single $90 payment valid for 90 days of travelling, from February 13th to May 13th.
• 2021 — the year when the company announced the arrival of the Boeing 737 Max 8 among their air fleet. What’s more, Flair ordered thirteen of the Max 8 jets.

Service Options

Whether or not customers are satisfied with Flair Airlines often comes down to their service options. Though most features are similar to other airlines of the same ballpark, including Air Canada Rouge and Swoop Airlines, there are a few key areas where Flair stands out. Let’s find out which are those!

Destinations

Most Flair flights are geared towards domestic destinations within Canada, with the main focus on major cities like

As such, you can get cheap flights from Toronto whenever you want, but you’ll have to choose from a smaller variety of destinations if you live elsewhere in the country. The good news is that they’re constantly expanding their route network, so more options should be available soon.

If you’re looking to travel internationally, you’ll be tight on options, with the U.S. and Mexico serving as the only real possibility.

These are some of the international destinations you can fly to with Flair Airlines:

The choice of destinations Flair offers is limited indeed. However, whether you’re looking to stay within North America or venture abroad, maybe somewhere in Mexico, Flair Airlines can help you get there.

Seat Classes

Given the low-cost airline nature of Flair, there’s only one seat class available on their flights. As such, don’t expect fancy perks or first-class treatment; instead, look forward to getting some comfortable essentials.

Fees and Charges

Despite the minimum frills approach, there are still a few charges you should be aware of before booking a flight. Though not substantial and pretty much in the same range as those of Lynx Air or Sunwing Airlines, they can add up if you’re not careful.

The charges that normally apply when booking all kinds of Flair flights include:

Type of Service	Fee
Call Centre Booking Fee	$15+Tax
Government Fees	Included
Airport Improvement Fees	Included

When it comes to baggage, the low fares include one personal item that’s within the size requirements and can be positioned at your feet. But, if you need/have extra bags to bring along, expect to pay a bit more to cover the costs.

Type of Bag	Online Fee (per passenger and flight)	Airport Fee (per passenger and flight)
Personal Item	$0	$0
Carry-On Bag	$29 to $49+Tax	$59+Tax
First Checked Bag	$49 to $96+Tax	$79+Tax
Second Checked Bag	$49 to $69+Tax	$79+Tax
Additional Checked Bag	$79+Tax	$99+Tax
Overweight Bag	/	$99+Tax
Oversized Bag	/	$99+Tax
Pet In Cabin	$49 to $79+Tax	/

If you’re aiming to save even more, you can look up Flair’s unique bundles. These are available ONLY at the time of purchase; they are accessible within 24 hours from when you reserve and up to 24 hours from departure.

Bundle	Online	Airport	Description
Basic	$49.30 to $83.30+Tax	/	One personal item One carry-on bag One checked bag
Big	$62.40 to $94.40+Tax	/	One personal item One carry-on bag One checked bag Priority Boarding Flexibility to change/cancel (up to 3 hours before departure)

When it comes to seating and boarding, the pool of seating options available to you includes:

Type of Seat	Fee
Standard	$10 to $20+Tax
Front	$15 to $25+Tax
Extra legroom	$25 to $45+Tax
Emergency exit	$35 to $45+Tax
Priority boarding	$10+Tax

Cancellations and flight changes are pretty common in the airline industry, but that doesn’t mean they don’t come with a cost.

The main numbers of the Flair cancellation policy that you should be aware of are listed below:

Service	Fee (per passenger and flight)
flight change of 7+ days prior to departure	$29+tax & fare difference
flight change within 7 days of departure	$49+tax & fare difference
flight change with travelFLEX or Big Bundle	$0+fare difference
cancellation of 7+ days prior to departure	$39+tax
cancellation within 7 days of departure	$59+tax
cancellation with Big Bundle	$0
cancellation within 24 hours of booking	$0
travelflex	$10+tax

As for onboard services, the Flair app is the way to go if you want to keep boredom at bay. As we’ve mentioned, you can watch videos, play games and even order food or drinks.

The app is available for download on iOS and Android devices, offering a seamless experience on your pocket screen device.

Is Flair Airlines Safe?

It’s only fair to wonder how safe the airline you’re flying with is; in this case, that’s Flair Airlines. Especially when we’re facing such unusual conditions, with COVID pandemia taking a hit worldwide. We’ve divided this particular section to embrace different safety segments and regulations.

Regulatory Concerns

The Canada Transportation Act serves as the primary legislation regulating the country’s aviation industry, and Flair Airlines fully complies with it. The airline has the necessary certificates and licenses to operate in Canada and abroad.

Condition Of The Fleet & Cabin Safety

The fleet and cabin conditions are inspected regularly to ensure they meet the highest safety standards. By doing regular maintenance checks and investing in new technologies, they aim to keep their passengers as safe as possible.

Not to mention the fact that the company is intensely focused on preventing potential accidents of any kind.

Dangerous Goods & Cargo

As for dangerous goods, Flair baggage policy strictly forbids the transportation of any items (live animals, firearms, cold weapons, etc.) that could pose a threat.

Among other things on the list of dangerous goods are also

Pandemic Precautions & Protocols

COVID-19 protocols are also in place to minimize the risk of infection for passengers and Flair personnel, i.e., crew members.

Such as

Note: As an extra precaution, Flair uses fresh, outside air to ventilate all their aircraft. Or air that has been cycled for at least four to six minutes via high-quality HEPA filters.

Customer Support

Following the example of Air Canada Rouge and Swoop Airlines, Flair pays close attention to its customer service department.

You can get in touch with them via

You can also subscribe to their newsletter to stay up-to-date with the latest news and special offers. Getting notified about a seat sale is always nice, especially if you’re on a budget.

And it’s good to know that if your flight is cancelled or your baggage is lost, you may be entitled to special compensation under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations. As such, these rules apply to all Canadian airlines, including Flair.

Comparison With Other Low-Cost Airlines in Canada

If you’re not all that impressed with the Flair cheap flights in Canada, maybe you should consider other options. Though most offer the same basic services, some differences still could be a real deal-breaker for some people.

Flair Airlines vs Air Canada Rouge

These are two quite similar airlines. They both target the low-cost market and focus on providing primary services at a reasonable price. However, according to some passenger reviews, Flair edges ever-slightly ahead, thanks to its more flexible cancellation policy and slightly better food offerings.

Air Canada Rouge has its own perks, too, such as a more extensive seat selection and the ability to earn Aeroplan Miles. Additionally, you can redeem these for free flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses.

Flair Airlines vs Swoop Airlines

Swoop is another low-cost carrier that has been making waves in the Canadian aviation industry. They are known for their no-frills and low-fare approach – making them a popular choice among budget-conscious travellers.

The services offered fall in the exact estimation more or less, with in-flight entertainment and food and beverages plans appearing in both cases. But seeing as they’re both on the cheaper side, you shouldn’t expect too much in terms of luxury.

Flair Airlines vs Sunwing Airlines

Sunwing Airlines is a well-established leisure carrier, offering flights to 45+ destinations across the US, Canada, and Mexico. The fleet consists of the latest Boeing models (the 737-800), just like Flair’s.

Furthermore, Sunwing offers state-of-the-art cabin conditions and in-flight entertainment. This is something you’ll enjoy with Flair, too: free entertainment and smooth order of various foods and drinks to keep your spirits throughout the flight.

Sunwing’s focus is to provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience without sacrificing quality or price. You’ll also enjoy a unique selection of food and beverages with them.

Moreover, you’ll meet the flight attendants, who go above and beyond to ensure everyone is happy. Both companies don’t hold their breath when it comes to the amiable and professional crew they have on board.

Flair Airlines vs Canada Jetlines

Next up is a value-focused airline with its fair share of positive passenger experiences. Its basic philosophy is to make air travel more affordable and accessible for all Canadians like Flair Airlines.

To that end, Jetlines offer various services such as seat selection, baggage allowance and in-flight entertainment, all at very reasonable prices. The airline is also expanding rapidly, with new routes being added regularly. More, or less, we can say that Jetlines’ ambitions and Flair’s match in most segments of the business.

Flair Airlines vs Porter Airlines

One thing that makes Porter Airlines stand out is its no change or cancellation fee policy (available for a limited time). This is a huge perk, especially if you tend to be spontaneous or like to change your plans at the last minute.

Though, we have to admit that Flair, too, has a flexible cancellation policy up to a certain point; afterward, there are reasonable fees you need to pay in case you step over their relaxed boundaries.

Porter also has a very generous baggage allowance, allowing you to pack everything you need without worrying about paying extra fees. And if you’re flying with kids, or you’re keen on movies/shows, there’s a decent in-flight entertainment system with both airlines to enjoy throughout the journey.

Flair Airlines vs Lynx Air

Last but not least is an airline that’s been around the block almost as long as Flair Airlines. And in the meantime has built up a solid reputation in the industry. Lynx Air offers flights to a wide range of destinations, domestic and international.

They also have a nicely lined and somewhat flexible cancellation policy, which allows you to change or cancel your flight without incurring any penalties. The only downside is that they don’t have a loyalty program. On the other hand, Flair outranks Lynx by enabling their passengers the joy of using travel points for travelling.

Finishing Thoughts

At the end of the day, Flair’s prices are hard to beat. They offer a decent selection of services at a low cost, and their inflight experience is generally favourable. The airline is also known for its excellent customer support, which is always a valuable asset.

Their limited pool of countries to travel to is in line with its affordable price point, but this could only be a problem if you’re looking to fly to a far-off location.

In a nutshell, this Flair Airlines review shows that this company is more than capable of offering safe and affordable travel to its passengers. Therefore, if you’re looking for a no-frills flying experience at a low price, Flair is the airline for you.