Discussions

How on time is Westjest departures from the Brandon airport in the Winter? Is there generally a delay to de-ice? Does the flight get cancelled a lot due to bad weather? Thinking of using it to catch a connection in Calgary to head down south but wondering if it's too much of a risk to try to try and catch the connection flight in Calgary in the morning.

Its usually always on time or very close. No different than any other Canadian airport in the winter. Weather however can be unpredictable so try and leave yourself a little time... You also still have to navigate YYC airport (take the little shuttle train) and security on that end which may delay you a few minutes as well.  
 
Edited by Ms.Daisy, 2018-02-05 00:38:11

when you check your bag in bdn and catch a westjet flight in calgary your bags are transfered for you easy to make connections to cancun

We've used it a few times and only had one issue. Our flight in February 2016 was messed up apparently due to over booking of luggage. (It's what we were told). The fifteen of us who were still waiting to be checked in were given the option to wait until the next day, drive in to Winnipeg, or cancel. Those of us who had connections in Calgary opted to drive to Winnipeg and caught a later flight. Thankfully for us our connector was far enough out we were able to do it and continue with our trip. Others came back the next day apparently.  
 
On speaking to another traveller issues like that are rare. Westjet was quite good with us (save for the overbooking), they gave us a 250 credit on our account plus 200 to cover our forced parking in Winnipeg. Sure it meant we had 450 we could only use on future flights, but hey.  
 
Nice to know that Winnipeg is that close if you need to drive in to catch a connector , but if it is something stupid like Westjet error, do make sure to fight for some freebies.

gmn said "when you check your bag in bdn and catch a westjet flight in calgary your bags are transfered for you easy to make connections to cancun "

Yes assuming it's a connection then your bags will carry on and you will just either have to ride the little train (5 min) or walk (12-15min) to I believe it's terminal D or E. There are signs and people available to help you if need be. Then you'll just have to go through security and you'll be at the gates. If you are just flying to Calgary to catch a different flight you booked out of there your bags will go to the carousel and youll have to do the whole process again. But if it's a connection it's pretty easily done.

more than likely encounter delays in Calgary and other airports. The flight into Brandon could be delayed which would push back a departure in Brandon.

Bdn,calgary,mazatlan last week. No issues

You said that "Then you'll just have to go through security and you'll be at the gates." ?? Just wondering what you meant by this? I have flown Westjet in to Calgary from Brandon before to catch a domestic to Vancouver but have never gone through security again. Yes, you are out in the annex and have to truck it to the main terminal to catch the connections but not through security. Maybe if you have to change terminals to catch a different airline??  
 
I had initial thought of catching the early morning flight from Brandon - no concerns about the plane getting in late as I believe it does overnight in Brandon. My concern is it getting in the air on scheduled departure time as the connection to Huatulco leaves only 52 minutes. Not sure if I want to risk it because if I miss that then I think it may be a day or so later to get there. I just saw the announcement they are adding additional flights to Mexico City but not sure if that would be much of a help.  
 
I know there would be an overnight on the way home but trying to decide if it's worth the gamble of trying for the early flight that day to avoid the overnight on the way down.

What was your layover time in Calgary? Did you overnight it?  
 
So second question for those that did the overnight in Calgary, which hotel did you use? Did you claim your baggage in Calgary and recheck the next morning?

GGWow said "You said that "Then you'll just have to go through security and you'll be at the gates." ?? Just wondering what you meant by this? I have flown Westjet in to Calgary from Brandon before to catch a domestic to Vancouver but have never gone through security again. Yes, you are out in the annex and have to truck it to the main terminal to catch the connections but not through security. Maybe if you have to change terminals to catch a different airline??     I had initial thought of catching the early morning flight from Brandon - no concerns about the plane getting in late as I believe it does overnight in Brandon. My concern is it getting in the air on scheduled departure time as the connection to Huatulco leaves only 52 minutes. Not sure if I want to risk it because if I miss that then I think it may be a day or so later to get there. I just saw the announcement they are adding additional flights to Mexico City but not sure if that would be much of a help.     I know there would be an overnight on the way home but trying to decide if it's worth the gamble of trying for the early flight that day to avoid the overnight on the way down. "

Even taking an early morning Winnipeg-Calgary flight might land you in the same situation. Other then flying out from Brandon on the afternoon flight the day before and staying overnight in Calgary. So I guess either risk it, or fly out the day before and stay over night. And 52 min isn't much leeway. The plane could hit a headwind, delayed departure, weather, delay in Calgary taxiing to terminal, disembarking all could eat into that 52 min. While Westjet could hold the Mexico plane because of their flight delays, that's still a risk.

I just went Brandon, Calgary, Vegas and what I mean is you have to do the put your bag on the belt, take your shoes off and walk through the metal detector deal in Calgary again. Plus US Customs is done in Calgary before you depart. Flying domestic you won't have to.

Ah got it... you were heading to the US and had to pre-clear through US Customs. That makes sense now.

Trevor B said "    GGWow said "You said that "Then you'll just have to go through security and you'll be at the gates." ?? Just wondering what you meant by this? I have flown Westjet in to Calgary from Brandon before to catch a domestic to Vancouver but have never gone through security again. Yes, you are out in the annex and have to truck it to the main terminal to catch the connections but not through security. Maybe if you have to change terminals to catch a different airline??     I had initial thought of catching the early morning flight from Brandon - no concerns about the plane getting in late as I believe it does overnight in Brandon. My concern is it getting in the air on scheduled departure time as the connection to Huatulco leaves only 52 minutes. Not sure if I want to risk it because if I miss that then I think it may be a day or so later to get there. I just saw the announcement they are adding additional flights to Mexico City but not sure if that would be much of a help.     I know there would be an overnight on the way home but trying to decide if it's worth the gamble of trying for the early flight that day to avoid the overnight on the way down. " Even taking an early morning Winnipeg-Calgary flight might land you in the same situation. Other then flying out from Brandon on the afternoon flight the day before and staying overnight in Calgary. So I guess either risk it, or fly out the day before and stay over night. And 52 min isn't much leeway. The plane could hit a headwind, delayed departure, weather, delay in Calgary taxiing to terminal, disembarking all could eat into that 52 min. While Westjet could hold the Mexico plane because of their flight delays, that's still a risk. "

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