Canadian ultra low-cost carrier Swoop Airlines will add San Diego, California to its list of destinations this winter, offering a total of six flights a week from two Canadian cities.
Swoop plans three flights a week from Edmonton and three from Abbotsford, British Columbia, starting in early October. The announcement makes San Diego, along with Los Cabos, Mexico, one of only two additions to Swoop’s list of destinations this fall.
San Diego will be the airline’s 28th sun destination in the United States, Mexico, and Jamaica, and its second attempt at launching service to California. Swoop quietly dropped service this spring from Edmonton to Oakland, California before a single flight was flown, after it drew poor sales.
“San Diego is an excellent addition to our winter line-up with a schedule that encourages weekend excursions by air,” said Swoop representative Karen McIsaac. “With some of the best beaches in California and plenty of attractions, San Diego is another example of how Swoop is bringing desirable locations at an affordable price within reach of Canadians.”
Swoop parent Westjet flies to San Diego from its hubs in Calgary and Vancouver. Unlike Westjet, however, Swoop does not rely on connections, and instead operates point-to-point service, meaning travellers in both Canadian cities are expected to fill the planes.
MAP BELOW shows Swoop Winter 2019/20 routes with continuing routes in pink, and new or returning routes in purple.
With the additional flights, Edmonton will have 54 departures every week this winter with Swoop, and Abbotsford 41.
“Our passengers and community are thrilled with a non-stop flight to San Diego,” said Tom Ruth, President and CEO, Edmonton International Airport. “San Diego is a great, in-demand, destination and we look forward to this flight taking off in the fall.”
“San Diego International Airport is thrilled to welcome Swoop to the best gateway in Southern California,” said Kimberly J. Becker, San Diego International Airport’s President and CEO, noting her airport is a little more than four kilometres from downtown.
“Swoop passengers will be quickly on their way to the numerous San Diego attractions including beaches, nightlife, spas, parks and museums. It will also encourage San Diegans to visit the amazing cities of Edmonton and Abbotsford that bookend the beautiful Canadian Rockies.”
Swoop will have a total of 10 planes by the end of the year, operating 274 weekly flights, a majority of them to sun destinations favoured by Canadians during the cold winter months.
As a low-cost carrier, Swoop charges a base fare for the flight, then charges for every little extra, right down to a printed ticket.