26 replies to this topic

[Bernard]

Harbour Air is the largest float plane operator in the world and the Twin Otter is the largest float plane currently in use globally.   Much larger than the Twin Otter and a flying boat design makes more sense.   There have been no major new flying boat designs since World War 2 other than the Bombardier 415 which is only designed to be a water bomber but it is twice the size of the Twin Otter

[Salt Spring Air]

Just thought I would jump in and let you know, we are listening if anyone has a great idea we are open to it. We, Salt Spring Air, fly out of Pat Bay (beside Victoria airport) 3-4 times a day to both YVR and downtown Vancouver. We provide free parking at Pat Bay and a shuttle at YVR to the sky train. We have been doing so for several years and the traffic can be light but we have regulars all year and the expected bump in traffic in summer.
We fly Beavers, seats six, the Otter is an amazing aircraft but if you are only flying with minimal passengers on part of the route the unused capacity can increase costs.
Harbour Air, whilst they are competition do run a tight ship and offer an unbeatable service from Victoria to Vancouver, I know, if it was beatable we would be trying.
We charge from PatBay to YVR $136 all taxes included with 50% off deals on occasion via twitter and FaceBook.

[Mike K.]

Thanks for the input, SSA.

 

We have heard through the grapevine that Harbour Air is charging in excess of what it needs to charge in order to turn a healthy profit, but due to the lack of direct float plane competition they charge a premium, particularly since Helijet charges even more.

 

Can someone remind me how Harbour Air came to be? At one point we had Air Canada flying a floatplanes out of the Inner Harbour, then West Coast appeared with Harbour Air, or how was it? Did one of those two buy up AC?

[VicHockeyFan]

Just thought I would jump in and let you know, we are listening if anyone has a great idea we are open to it. We, Salt Spring Air, fly out of Pat Bay (beside Victoria airport) 3-4 times a day to both YVR and downtown Vancouver. We provide free parking at Pat Bay and a shuttle at YVR to the sky train. We have been doing so for several years and the traffic can be light but we have regulars all year and the expected bump in traffic in summer.
We fly Beavers, seats six, the Otter is an amazing aircraft but if you are only flying with minimal passengers on part of the route the unused capacity can increase costs.
Harbour Air, whilst they are competition do run a tight ship and offer an unbeatable service from Victoria to Vancouver, I know, if it was beatable we would be trying.
We charge from PatBay to YVR $136 all taxes included with 50% off deals on occasion via twitter and FaceBook.

 

Oh, hey SSA thanks for chiming in, and welcome to the forum.  I had mentioned earlier in this thread that SSA had provided us a flight from Pat Bay, to SSI for a little town tour, with a one-stop return too (port Washington), earlier this year, it was a great ride! 

 

Oh, OK, this is also confirmation that Pat Bay to YVR is a route they can fly.

[concorde]

People should also remember that the float planes are horribly unreliable during the non summer months with fog and high winds.  Many people I know consider them so unreliable they fly YVR to YYJ or take the ferry when timing is important

[Bernard]

People should also remember that the float planes are horribly unreliable during the non summer months with fog and high winds.  Many people I know consider them so unreliable they fly YVR to YYJ or take the ferry when timing is important

From about mid October to mid April I will not use a float plane if I have to be in downtown Vancouver for a meeting and can not miss

[G-Man]

Same here and also the cost of the seaplanes on a regular basis is too high in comparison to Pacific Coastal for those that have to watch a budget.