On August 20, Flair Airlines shook things up by bringing in three new executive leaders, including Eric Tanner as the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). Before his promotion, Tanner shared some interesting insights on the Time On The Wing podcast. He argued that the ultra-low-cost-carrier (ULCC) model doesn’t quite fit Flair and isn’t really effective in the North American market. Founded in 2005, Flair has been on a growth spree, thanks to its budget-friendly fares and dependable service. Tanner, who previously held roles as vice president of revenue management and network planning, and director of network planning and scheduling, is no stranger to the airline’s operations.
Tanner highlighted in his podcast interview that Flair’s aircraft seating is comparable to WestJet’s, and its baggage policies are similar to those of Porter Airlines. This is a big deal because WestJet has even introduced an “Ultra Basic” fare to compete with Flair’s pricing. Tanner emphasized that the competition in Canada and North America is much tougher than what European ULCCs like Ryanair face. This fierce competition pushes service quality up, offering customers a better experience than the no-frills approach of airlines like Spirit and Frontier. While Flair no longer labels itself as a ULCC, it still leads the pack in affordable air travel for Canadians. Tanner even mentioned on LinkedIn that Flair is committed to keeping air travel affordable in Canada, working with industry stakeholders to lower prices for everyone.
Flair Airlines is also making strides with its FWD platform, launched in April 2025, which serves as a comprehensive customer service portal. It offers features like “Immfly” for in-seat food and drink ordering and “iCoupon” for meal credit redemption. Tanner noted that their buy-on-board and duty-free shopping experience is on par with Air Canada’s offerings. Despite having more basic services compared to Air Canada, Flair’s focus on affordability and reliability makes it a hit among budget-conscious Canadian travelers. Plus, with its unique On-Time Guarantee (OTG), passengers are compensated if their flight is delayed by more than 60 minutes. Flair’s growth is a testament to its popularity and commitment to customer satisfaction. #FlairAirlines #AffordableTravel #CanadaAviation
Originally reported by Simple Flying Read More
