Why Alberta's Busiest Air Route Exists

Calgary and Edmonton are the two largest cities in Alberta, located about 300 kilometres apart, and 3 hours by car. Yet, there are a substantial number of flights between the two.

So why are there so many flights between these two relatively close cities?

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Calgary/Edmonton Populations:

Passenger statistics:

WestJet hub:

“Stop The Calgary Habit”:

Edmonton’s International Connections:

Alberta High Speed Rail:

Alberta Hyperloop:


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[roundandroundmyworld]

Surprised you didn't mention the key role of the old Edmonton Industrial (city centre) Airport in developing the fly-through-Calgary habit. Flights were only allowed from that smaller airport to other airports in Alberta, but Edmontonians loved it because it saved them the drive out to the international airport, so their fastest option was a quick flight from Industrial to Calgary, and then connect on to wherever. Even after that smaller airport closed, the habit has remained strongly ingrained.

[CarusKyle]

Tbh the route is really Calgary to Leduc, when you land you still need to spend $70 on a cab to downtown Edmonton. Just take a red arrow bus and you don't have to deal with all the extra of dealing with airports.

[gworfish]

A high speed rail link was a hot topic when I first moved to Calgary. In 1997 😂. I really do hope it come together some day, but I don't think I'll live to see it.

[carsondupont]

"if it means less time on the QE2 I'm all for it" I think this is a message all Albertans can get behind.

[airdaddy]

its honestly surprising that there arent many international flights from Edmonton, the klm and icelandair flights are always packed

[ThePowerofJames]

Would love to hear more about the Montréal-Ottawa-Toronto trips too man! These Sunday info videos are awesome!

[bother]

I saw this title and immediately just thought Money.

[bearcubdaycare]

Edmonton actually has good air service for a metropolis of 1.3 million. My nearest airport serves a bit more than half that, and has quite modest service. People drive two hours to the bigger city airport up the way, not that much closer than YYC, on the north side of Calgary, is from Edmonton.

What's astonishing is the level of service that WestJet built up at Calgary. When I moved there, Air Canada flew a lot of routes there with regional jets or propeller aircraft. WestJet came in and flew those routes with 737s, successfully and profitably, and just kept expanding. That's what's bizarre.

As for Calgary-Edmonton air traffic, there's a lot too between, say, Boston and New York. Flying gives most of a day in the other city. Driving gives a few hours. The train between Boston and New York is liked by some, but still not as fast, only comparable for city center to city center, not if one end of the trip is in the burbs, or anywhere outside the very center.

[haweater]

The last rail service between the two cities used Budd RDCs, little better than riding an old school bus.

[dmfraser]

I remember in the 1960s, my mother and I would take the Budd RDC Dayliner from Edmonton to Calgary and back on some long weekends as much of our relatives were in Calgary. In 1968 I made my first car trip driving on Highway 2 to Calgary. long before it got named the QE2. Many trips afterward until I moved to Vancouver in 1981. Made more than one day trip by road to Calgary and back to Edmonton for customer calls. Got my last speeding ticket on that highway in 1979.

I took the plane just once on a very short turnaround trip to repair something for a customer in Calgary. Flew on the Airbus from Edmonton Municipal to Calgary and back the same day on Piggly Wiggly. That was the nickname for Pacific Western. The takeoff out of Calgary was the hottest takeoff I have ever experienced and the pilot stood that 737 on its tail after giving us a short warning. Back in the days when jet fuel was cheap. The PW 737s were flying hourly on some days.

[TheNorthernAlex]

Hey Alex, greetings from the North. I just found your channel and I love what you are doing. Keep up the good work!
Also, I am curious if we'll ever see the Hyperloop between YEG and YYC becoming reality.

Cheers,

Alex

[TheLunacyofOurTimes]

A terminus at either end that stopped close to downtown Calgary and Edmonton would definitely help. The QE2 is close to capacity at many time of the day near either city, and an accident can result in a shut down and long detours. I flew from YEG to YYC a couple of weeks ago and getting through security was efficient but the time for the entire flight including traveling to the airport and disembarking in Calgary was still over 3.5 hours.

I really don't think it would take much to justify a high speed corridor here if it properly links with established infrastructure.

[jessemillington]

very informative, imagine the days gone by when we had so many smaller air lines to chose from to do the route, especially with all the cool old prop liners.

[AustinSersen]

High speed passenger rail makes too much sense. Not only could it help the airports reduce the redundant travel between Edmonton and Calgary, but it could also open up Red Deer to Air Canada and Westjet as another destination.

Additionally, imagine all of the sports travel that could be absorbed by a train. Every time the Flames or Stampeders play in Edmonton, they could take the train there and have their own private train car. Same thing for the Hitmen when they play in Edmonton or Red Deer, and likewise at the minor and university levels: plenty of inner-provincial travel by the likes of the University of Calgary, University of Alberta, MacEwan, Mount Royal, Red Deer, NAIT, SAIT, etc.

As a fan, I would love to be able to travel up to Edmonton to see the Stampeders play at Commonwealth and return same-day without the hassle and cost of driving. I even rode my bicycle up to Edmonton to see an Elks game a couple weeks ago, and that was a memorable experience!

[owenpatal]

From Slave Lake we just drive on both, takes 3 hours to Edmonton (with a quick break in Westlock) and another 3 hours if we were going to Calgary, and yes another quick break in Edmonton, its crazy for us to think that there’s a flight between the two 😂

[douglasnorth]

It's a huge candidate for fast rail.

[zhaohanxu]

For a Calgarian I prefer the vibe of EIA, I flown there couple times, the airport maintained fairly well and has its own features

[EgilWar]

Actually driving is about the same travel time when you factor in the time from your home or business to your final destination.

[calvinduchaine]

I can make it driving in 2.5 hrs its quicker, by the time you drive to airport, clear security land and deplane its quicker to drive.

[ATIMELINEOFAVIATION]

I’ve flown to Edmonton the tower is so cool!