Flair Airlines Review [2024]: Why I'd Never Fly Flair Again!

I'm always excited to start planning upcoming trips... that is until that costs hit me! Are you the same?

While food and activity expenses accumulate fast, flights and accommodations account for the bulk of the high cost. That's why the best way to save money while traveling is to focus on finding cheap flights and staying at hostels.

Your best bet when looking for affordable flights is to book with a budget airline. They offer crazy low prices compared to traditional airlines while still getting you to the same destination.

If you're in Canada, you may think we don't have very many low-fair airlines. After all our 2 biggest air carriers are Air Canada and Westjet, each company having its own points program, Aeroplan and Westjet rewards, to try and make flights more affordable.

But in recent years, budget airfare has started to become available in Canada. While not all of the are consider an ultra-low-cost carrier, there are companies like Lynx and Porter that provide more affordable options for us Canadians.

And you've also probably heard of Flair Airlines, a budget airline for North American travelers. But are budget airlines as much of a steal as they say they are?

I've flown with the low-cost carrier a couple of times, and I wanted to help other potential flyers by writing a Flair Airlines review combining my firsthand experience and lots of research. I'll let you know important details like Flair's destination, quality of services, and how it compares to its competitors.

These are things you'll want to know before you decide whether to buy tickets with Flair Airlines or not...

What Is Flair Airlines?

Flair Airlines, more commonly known as Flair Air, is a Canadian Airline company launched in 2017. The company is one of the pioneers in the realm of ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCC) in North America.

Flair Air strives to offer more affordable air travel for Canadians while not compromising on safety.

But first, let's address Flair Air's recent controversies and issues.

What's Up With the Ownership Issue?

Flair air is 58% owned by Canadians and 42% owned by non-Canadians. The percentage held by non-Canadians cannot exceed 49% to be considered a Canadian airline.

This is important because there are Canadian laws that do not allow foreign airlines to fly domestic routes, which caused an issue with regulators in 2022 that almost caused Flair to cease its operations in Canada.

Did a Flair Plane Go Off the Runway?

A Flair Airlines flight that took off from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) bound to Waterloo International Airport (YKF) in Ontario ran off the Waterloo's airport runway at around 6:30AM local time November 25th, 2022.

Fortunately no injuries occurred and all 134 travelers exited the plane safely. The accident caused Waterloo International Airport to close down for the day and many Flair flights to be canceled due to maintenance and scheduling errors.

So, Is Flair Airlines Safe?

When it comes to safety, Flair Airlines does tick the boxes. Even if you've only heard about its Waterloo incident, it's just as safe to fly with Flair as other airlines in Cnada.

Like all airlines operating in Canada, Flair Airlines must adhere to strict safety regulations laid out by the Canadian Transportation Agency and Transport Canada. This involves routine inspections and rigorous safety procedures that are designed to ensure passenger safety.

So, while Flair may be a budget airline, it doesn't cut corners where safety is concerned. Despite its bare-bones service, you can take to the skies with peace of mind.

Where Does Flair Airlines Fly?

I've included a list so that you have easy access. But I recommend you also check Flair's official website in case it's updated its domestic and international destinations.

Canadian Destinations

• Abbotsford (YYX), British Columbia
• Calgary (YYC), Alberta
• Charlottetown (YYG), Prince Edward Island
• Comox (YQQ), British Columbia
• Deer Lake (YDF), New Foundland and Labrador
• Edmonton (YEG), Alberta
• Fort McMurray (YMM), Alberta
• Halifax (YHZ), Nova Scotia
• Kelowna (YLW), British Columbia
• Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF), Ontario
• London (YXU), Ontario
• Montréal (YUL), Québec
• Ottawa (YOW), Ontario
• Prince George (YXS), British Columbia
• Saint John (YSJ), New Brunswick
• Saskatoon (YXE), Saskatchewan
• Thunder bay (YQT), Ontario
• Toronto (YYZ), Ontario
• Vancouver (YVR), British Columbia
• Victoria (YYJ), British Columbia
• Windsor (YQG), Ontario
• Winnipeg (YWG), Manitoba

International Destinations

• Cancun (CUN), Mexico
• Denver (DEN), Colorado
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Florida
• Los Angeles (LAX), California
• Burbank (BUR), California
• Las Vegas (LAS), Nevada
• Los Cabos (SJD), Mexico
• Nashville (BNA), Tennessee
• New York (JFK), New York
• Orlando Sanford (SFO), California
• Palm Springs (PSP), California
• Phoenix-Mesa (AZA), Arizona
• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (PVR)
• San Francisco (SFO), California
• Tucson (TUS), Arizona

What Airline Is Flair Associated With?

Flair Air is an independent carrier, which means Flair is not associated with any other airline and is not part of any airline alliances.

Purchasing Your Flights

Flair Airlines flight tickets can be purchased online through their website.

Just follow these 3 easy steps to book your flight:

1. Flair’s website search function is similar to many other travel booking sites. Simply enter your departure and destination points, travel dates, and the number of travelers to get started.
2. After pressing search, a range of flight options within your travel dates will appear. Select the “show prices from…” button for the flight you would like to book. Be sure to consider how much baggage allowance you will need when choosing bundle options.
3. Fill in each passenger's traveling information and you’re set. Check your inbox for a confirmation email from the airline and remember to check in online.

You could also go another route... Check a comparison site like SkyScanner to find the cheapest flights available on the market.

Flying With Flair Air

Although I'll be talking more about my entire Flair experience a little later in my review, I also thought it'd be important to mention some of the things you're probably dying to know about.

I wouldn't be doing a good job if I didn't mention some of the in-flight factors, baggage allowance, and other similar factors.

To ensure you get well-rounded info, I didn't only rely on my firsthand experience here. I also did research so that you didn't need to go hunting for the important details...

Baggage Requirements & Fees

Flair Airline baggage requirements are quite strict with Flair and you'll be paying extra for everything except a small personal item.

If you're looking to take along a carry-on luggage with you, you must ensure its a maximum dimension of 23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm (9 in x 15.5 in x 21.5 in) and 10 kgs, or 22 lbs. The cost of carry-ons vary, but here are some generalizations for you:

• Online: ~US$22 to ~US$45 plus taxes
• Airport Counter: ~US$45 to ~US$49 plus taxes
• At Gate: ~US$56 plus taxes

Now if you want to take checked bags, that gets expensive, especially if you have more than one! Your check in bags must be 158 cm or 62 in in total linear dimensions and 23 kg or 50 lb in weight—otherwise they'll be considered oversized or overweight.

I'll give you a quick rundown on all of the possible options and pricing that Flair has available on its website...

• First and second checked bag: ~US$33 to ~US$64 plus taxes depending on whether you buy online, the airport counter or gate
• Additional checked bag: ~US$41 to ~US$87 plus taxes depending on whether you buy online, the airport counter or gate
• Overweight or oversized bags must be purchased at the airport and will be charged around US$75 per bag

All of these prices were valid at the time of publication, but please check Flair's baggage page for the most updated pricing and information.

Check-In & Boarding Process

It's only fair to give you a heads up about their check-in and boarding process, which, to be quite honest, has room for some improvement.

The online check-in system is a handy feature that Flair Air offers. It allows you to check in from 24 hours up to an hour before your flight, letting you skip the long lines at the airport.

But, bear in mind that the website can sometimes be a bit glitchy, so it might require some patience.

Once you've completed online check-in, you can choose to print your boarding pass or use an electronic one on your phone. It sounds simple, but do ensure you've got it handy when you reach the airport to avoid any last-minute hiccups.

Now, onto boarding.

While Flair Air's intentions are to make the process smooth and efficient, the reality often falls short of expectations. This is not only my experience, but many of my friends also have nightmare experiences with Flair.

Delays in boarding are a regular occurrence, and the process can be somewhat chaotic at times. Keeping an ear out for announcements and regularly checking the departure screens is crucial, as changes can happen without much notice.

Seats & Legroom

It's a budget airline, so don't expect much. When it comes to seating and legroom, Flair Air leans more towards a no-frills experience.

Flair Air's seat pitch, which is the measure of legroom, is fairly standard for budget airlines. And, if you're tall or prefer more room to stretch out, you may find the legroom a tad tight.

As for the seats themselves, they're very basic and not very comfortable in my opinion. The seats are definitely designed with functionality over luxury in mind.

The biggest bummer for me? The seats don't recline, at all! If you're like me and enjoy trying to catch up on sleep during flights, Flair is not the way to go...

All of this is pretty standard for a low-cost carrier, except for maybe the lack of reclining seats.

But Flair Air is all about getting you from A to B on a budget so it makes sense that they take a no frill approach. That being said, if a super-comfy seat and extra legroom are high on your list, it may be worth considering purchasing seat selection or looking into airlines that focus more on these in-flight comforts.

In-Flight Entertainment & Service

First off, let's talk about the inflight entertainment—or the lack thereof.

On Flair Air flights, you won't find seat-back screens, WiFi, or an inflight magazine to flip through. It's definitely a bit of a throwback to simpler times.

So if you're the type who prefers to stay connected or be entertained by a selection of movies and music, you might want to come prepared. Pack your own devices, download your favorite movies, books, or music, and don't forget your headphones!

As for Flair Air's in-flight service, the cabin crew does their best to ensure a safe and comfortable journey, but don't expect a lot. There is no full meal service, complimentary drinks, or snacks.

You can, however, purchase snacks and drinks onboard if you get the munchies. It's pretty much a self-sustained affair on Flair Air flights, so it might be a good idea to have some snacks handy and a water bottle filled post-security.

Budget Airline vs Commercial Airline

So what's the difference between a budget airline and a full-service airline? Budget airlines offer significantly lower prices, hence the name, but also provide fewer services than you would usually find on a full-service airline.

No Free Carry-ons

Checked luggage is not usually included with budget airline tickets, even for long-haul flights. With Flair Air, this is true, but it's also the policy to charge an additional fee for every carry-on bag as well!

With Flair, you're only able to take a small personal item with you for free.

Be sure to triple-check that each of your baggage items fits under the weight allowance for both free and paid bags. Purchasing any extra baggage allowance at the airport counter is a lot pricier than buying them online beforehand.

No In-Flight Meals

Full meals are typically not provided on budget airlines. Flair Air does offer small snacks and drinks at a cost and they must be purchased using their app.

A good rule of thumb is anything that requires human interaction, requires extra fees when flying with budget airlines.

Smaller Airports

Another inconvenience with budget airlines is they tend to fly out from smaller airports.

Luckily Flair Flair typically flies between major airports, but this may not be the case for you. So it's always good practice to check the airport before booking your flights.

Most of these issues can be avoided by flying commercial, but of course, at the cost of your wallet.

Flair vs. Lynx vs. Sunwing

There is a couple of options for cheap Canadian flights. While I’ve flown with both Flair and Lynx, I have yet to experience the services of Sunwing Airlines. My expectations aren’t exactly high for budget airlines and yours shouldn’t be either.

My experience with Lynx was significantly better compared to Flair. Half of it was luck and the other half was Lynx providing free water in flight. The 5-hour delay with Flair was also not exactly an award-winning experience—more on that later.

Based on the reviews online, I wouldn’t say there's much of a difference between Flair and Lynx. However, Sunwing does seem to deliver better, while it can be hit-or-miss with Flair and Lynx.

So if you’re looking for a reliable budget flight, maybe opt for Sunwing or a deal with a regular commercial airline.

My Personal Experiences Flying Flair Air

My trip with Flair was far from perfect. A short 1.5-hour flight from Calgary (YYC) to Vancouver (YVR) turned into a well over 6-hour uncompensated endeavor.

Communication with the airline was horrendously difficult and aside from some granola bars and water bottles we received for "snack and beverages" for the delay, nothing else was provided.

No compensation or accommodation was offered and I was put on a waitlist upon calling Flair Airline customer service. I did receive a call back... only it was 3 days after the flight!

An earlier Flair flight was also canceled before mine and unfortunately, their flight would take off barely 30 minutes before mine did. Long story short, the boarding gate was packed with frustrated and sleep-deprived travelers.

An important note about Flair Airlines is that they don’t have in-house staff in most (if not any) of the airports they fly out from. So, if you’re looking for an agent to talk to about your canceled or delayed flight, you’re out of luck.

I was given 3 different reasons for my delayed flight from 3 different sources. First from the email Flair sent regarding the delay, another from a YYC airport staff member, and the third from a Flair air flight attendant while boarding my flight.

Needless to say, I still don’t know why my flight was delayed...

My suspicion was that Flair Airline's poor management and flight scheduling system caused them to push back multiple flights, and so to take advantage of the Canadian Air Passenger Regulation Act loophole, they had to come up with an explanation outside of the Airline's control to avoid compensations.

Another thing to keep in mind before boarding a Flair Airlines flight is to download the Flair: Inflight app. This is essentially Flair’s take on in-flight entertainment without attaching it to the back of your seat.

What Others Have to Say

So you've heard what I have to say, but what about other Flair Airline reviews?

On top of the many complaints about delayed flights, their tendency to cancel flights is another reason not to fly with Flair air.

In the event of a cancelation, Flair air will recommend you either rebook a different flight with Flair or book with another airline at your own cost. Do not book a new flight with another airline!

Many expect the original carrier to reimburse the difference between the original and new flight, but the maximum reimbursement Flair air will provide is roughly $98USD.

The difference in ticket prices with most commercial airlines will be much higher than this. So unless you’re ready to pay the difference out of pocket, I do not recommend this option.

In times of cancelation or delay, most commercial airlines will allow you to rebook with an allied airline without hassle. This will not be an option with Flair air. They are an independent carrier that is not associated with any other airline.

Previous Flair travelers also mentioned that Flair air’s chat support and phone support are not very responsive.

How to Cancel a Flight

Flair flights can be canceled within 24 hours of purchase, free of charge. A fee will be applied for any changes or cancelations made after 24 hours. Refer to their flexibility policies for applicable fees.

Flair Airlines Customer Support

There are a couple of ways to contact Flair Airlines. The Flair Airlines customer support number is 1-833-711-2333. For updates on flight delays, email flightdelay@flyflair.com. They can also be reached through the online chatbot on their website.

Be mindful that they'll most likely return/reply your calls or emails a few days later, if at all.

Is Flair Airlines Worth It?

Flair Air is not worth the hassle if you value your sanity.

If you're looking for a purely budget airline and are okay with Flair canceling or delaying your flight without any valid explanation or compensation, I'd hesitantly recommend Flair and strongly recommend you look at other low-cost airlines like Lynx or Sunwing.

Flair Air offers cheap fares in Canada and select international destinations, but that's about the only thing it offers. Anything beyond a seat on the plane is an add-on that costs more than a budget traveler like yourself can justify.

Unless you’re traveling on an extremely tight budget and have lots of flexibility in your itinerary, Flair Air is not worth the arbitrary delays and cancelations.

My Rating: 1.2/5

Pros:

• Cheap flights
• Frequent flight deals
• Diverse list of Canadian destinations
• Does fly internationally

Cons:

• Frequent delays & cancelations
• No employees available at airports
• Terrible phone customer support
• High fees for carry-on baggage
• No free in-flight entertainment or snacks

Other FAQs About Flair Air

Why Are Flair Air Flights So Cheap?

Flair Air operates as an ultra-low-cost carrier, but how does it do it?

It keeps its fares low by minimizing operating costs and offering the bare minimum with the base ticket price.

Flair Air charges for additional services like checked luggage, seat selection, and even in-flight meals. On the planes, there are also no entertainment consoles or plug ins for electronics.

By offering a no-frills, bare-bones ticket, Flair is able to keep ticket prices lower than traditional airlines.

Who Owns Flair Airlines?

Flair Airlines is a privately owned company. It was initially a part of the Flair Air charter company, but it was sold in 2005 to Jim Rogers, a former airline pilot.

Since then, Flair Airlines has continued to operate as an independent airline.

What Is a Basic Bundle on Flair Airlines?

The Basic Bundle is the cheapest fare options that Flair Airlines offers. It typically includes the airfare and only a singular a personal item.

Extras like checked baggage, larger carry-on bags, and seat selection are not included in the Basic Bundle and can be added on for an additional fee.

What Aircraft Does Flair Airlines Use?

Flair Airlines operates a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. More recently, the company added the Boeing 737 MAX 8 to their fleet, helping the airline increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

But aircrafts can change. If you want to ensure you get the most updated info, always refer to their official website for the most current fleet information.

Does Flair Have a Loyalty Program?

Yes. Although it doesn't operate like similar Canadian programs like Aeroplan with Air Canada and Westjet Rewards.

Instead of collecting points, you can sign up for free to be part of the Flair Fliers Club where you'll get perks like exclusive offers on Tuesday, entry into a monthly free flight draw, and members receiving higher discounts.

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