Flair Airlines

{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2023}}

File:Flair Airlines Logo.png

The airline began operations as a privately owned company on August 19, 2005, under the name Flair Air. In January 2006, Transport Canada authorized the airline to operate scheduled all-cargo services between Cuba and Canada, on behalf of Cubana de Aviación, until April 7, 2006. It also operated some passenger flights on behalf of Cubana. Flair Air operated two, 200 series Boeing 727 aircraft, one for passenger movements and the other for freight services. During this period, Flair also began providing workforce transportation services to several natural resources and major construction companies across Canada.

File:C-FLEN Flair Airlines B737 400.jpg in the pre-2017 livery]]

Flair began adding 400 series 737s to its fleet in 2008 to replace the 200 series 727s. The airline continued to add these aircraft until delivery of a fifth aircraft in 2015. In January 2014, Flair acquired a VIP Embraer ERJ-175 and a VIP Dornier 328. Both were retired in September 2016. In June 2017, Flair announced it had purchased the assets of Manitoba-based discount travel company NewLeaf, of which it had been the operator of NewLeaf's flights, as it was not licensed as an airline.{{cite news|url=http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/flair-airlines-purchases-assets-of-no-frills-flight-service-newleaf-1.3448150|title=Flair Airlines purchases assets of no-frills flight service NewLeaf|date=June 7, 2017|work=CTV News Winnipeg|access-date=July 5, 2017|agency=The Canadian Press}} Flair retained 85% of former NewLeaf staff in the acquisition,{{cite news|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/3509892/flair-airlines-newleaf-absorbed/|title=Flair Airlines buys NewLeaf Travel to become one company|last1=Aumell|first1=Christian|date=June 7, 2017|work=Global News|access-date=July 5, 2017}} and the NewLeaf brand was retired on July 25, 2017, with flights subsequently operated under the Flair name thereafter.{{cite news|title=Airline turning over a 'NewLeaf' on anniversary|url=http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/airline-turning-over-a-newleaf-on-anniversary-1.3518085 |access-date=July 29, 2017|work=CTV News Winnipeg|date=July 25, 2017}}{{cite news|last1=McNeil|first1=Shane|title=NewLeaf begins 'new chapter' with name change|url=http://www.bnn.ca/newleaf-begins-new-chapter-with-name-change-1.813057 |access-date=July 29, 2017|work=BNN|date=July 25, 2017}}

In late 2017, Flair Air rebranded as Flair Airlines, in which it unveiled a new magenta and blue livery, acquired additional aircraft, and announced plans to add more in 2018 and 2019. Two more 737-400s arrived at the airline in December 2017. In 2018, Flair moved its headquarters from Kelowna International Airport to Edmonton International Airport,{{cite web |last1=Bartko |first1=Karen |title=Flair Airlines moving headquarters from Kelowna to Edmonton |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4283687/flair-airlines-edmonton-headquarters/ |publisher=Global News |date=June 19, 2018}} and 777 Partners invested in Flair with the goal of building a Canadian low-fare carrier. In December 2018, Flair received three leased 800 series Boeing 737s. These were returned to lessor Smartwings in 2019 as a separately leased trio of 737-800s arrived at the airline.

File:C-FFLJ@YVR 26Oct19.jpg in the 2019 livery]]

In February 2019, Flair went through a "top to bottom" makeover, changing its signature colours from purple and red to acid green and black. This reflected the airline's new "Plane and Simple" branding. The brand makeover included a new livery that remains on the airline's 737-800s. New flight attendant uniforms were also rolled out in September 2019.

In February 2020, Flair offered unlimited travel in the form of a one-time fee 90-day pass valid between February 13 and May 13, 2020.{{cite web|date=February 5, 2020|title=Flair Airlines introduces 90-day pass for unlimited spring flights|url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/flair-airlines-introduces-90-day-pass-for-unlimited-spring-flights-1.4798050 |access-date=February 5, 2020|website=CTV News Calgary}} In August 2020, Flair retired their final Boeing 737-400 aircraft in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|date=March 13, 2021|title=777 Partners and Flair Airlines Confirmed for Boeing 737 MAX|url=https://airlinegeeks.com/2021/03/13/777-partners-and-flair-airlines-confirmed-for-boeing-737-max/ |last=McMurtry|first=Ian|access-date=July 1, 2021|website=AirlineGeeks.com}}

In January 2021, Flair announced an order for 13 of the MAX 8 variant Boeing 737 MAX jet from financing partner 777 Partners, with plans to grow to 50 aircraft within 5 years. The first of these aircraft arrived in May 2021, with a total of 8 scheduled to arrive over the summer months. The remaining five were planned to arrive before 2022.{{Cite news|last=Lampert|first=Allison|date=March 18, 2021|title=Flair goes frugal as 737 MAX buyer plans European-style relaunch|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-airlines-flair-idUSKBN2BA15X |access-date=July 1, 2021}} This order came at a crucial time for Boeing, as it restarted MAX operations following a months-long grounding of the type.{{Cite web|date=January 28, 2021|title=Flair Airlines Announces Boeing 737 MAX Order|url=https://airlinegeeks.com/2021/01/28/flair-airlines-announces-boeing-737-max-order/ |access-date=July 1, 2021|last=Morley|first=Daniel|website=AirlineGeeks.com}} All future aircraft deliveries to Flair were to be painted in an updated livery, which includes the airline's signature acid green and black colours, as well as subtle highlights of light purple. In December 2021, Flair ordered an additional 14 Boeing 737 MAX 8s.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

In March 2022, the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) ruled that Flair may be in violation of the law that requires it to be controlled by Canadians, and stated that the airline's operating licence may be suspended. Flair denied that it was in violation of Canadian laws and asked for an 18-month exemption to address regulatory concerns.{{Cite news |last=Atkins |first=Eric |date=April 6, 2022 |title=Flair Airlines faces possible loss of operating licence after Canadian control of company questioned |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-flair-airlines-faces-possible-loss-of-operating-licence-after/ |access-date=April 8, 2022}} Jones stated that the company would overhaul its board and refinance its debt to reduce foreign influence on the company.{{Cite web |title=Flair Airlines says it will keep operating in Canada. Here's how |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8775020/flair-airlines-ownership-review/ |last=Lord |first=Craig |access-date=April 24, 2022|website=Global News }} The National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Air Canada, Air Transat, and WestJet released a statement asking the CTA to reject Flair's request.{{Cite web |date=April 19, 2022|title=Canada's Major Airlines Respond to Exemption Request made by Flair Airlines |url=https://airlinecouncil.ca/canadas-major-airlines-respond-to-exemption-request-made-by-flair-airlines/ |access-date=April 24, 2022 |website=National Airlines Council of Canada }} In a statement issued on April 21, Jones stated that the airline had a "zero chance" of losing its operating licence and criticized the lack of competition in the Canadian airline industry.{{Cite web |last=Wolfsteller |date=April 24, 2022 |first=Pilar |title=Canada's Flair confident it will not lose its licence |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/strategy/canadas-flair-confident-it-will-not-lose-its-license/148358.article |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=FlightGlobal |publisher=DVV Media Group }} On June 1, 2022, the CTA allowed Flair to keep its operating licence after concluding the airline is Canadian.{{Cite web |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Flair Airlines allowed to keep licence after transportation regulator rules company 'is Canadian' |url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/flair-airlines-allowed-to-keep-licence-after-transportation-regulator-rules-company-is-canadian-1.5927629 |last=Antoneshyn |first=Alex |access-date=June 1, 2022 |website=CTV News Edmonton }}

According to the Canadian Transportation Agency, Flair had the highest number of complaints per 100 flights of the major airlines in Canada, averaging 15.3 complaints per 100 flights over the period of April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. In comparison, the largest two airlines in Canada, Air Canada and WestJet, had 4.3 and 6.6 complaints per 100 flights, respectively.{{Cite web |last=Saba |first=Rosa |date=June 5, 2023 |title=Flair tops Canadian airlines for complaints per 100 flights: Canadian Transportation Agency |url=https://ottawasun.com/news/national/flair-tops-canadian-airlines-for-complaints-per-100-flights-canadian-transportation-agency |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Ottawa Sun}}

The Canadian Transportation Agency again reported that Flair had the highest numbers of complaints in the first quarter of 2023, with 20.9 complaints per 100 flights. Low-cost leisure carrier Sunwing was second-worst with 17.4 complaints per 100 flights, while low-cost carrier Lynx Air registered 5.2 complaints per 100 flights over the same period.{{Cite web |title=Flair is Canada's worst airline when it comes to passenger complaints, federal data shows |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/flair-worst-airline-complaints-1.6863897 |access-date=November 28, 2023 |website=CBC News }}

On March 11, 2023, Airborne Capital Ltd. seized four of its planes operated by Flair over alleged non-payment. In a press conference, Flair CEO Stephen Jones suggested the seizures were motivated by competitors, and that the airline owed around US$1{{nbsp}}million on the leases, and was in the process of making payment when the seizures occurred.{{cite web|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/flair-apologizes-for-cancellations-after-plane-seizures-says-leasing-company-in-talks-with-competitor-1.6312579|title=Flair apologizes for cancellations after plane seizures, says leasing company in talks with competitor|website=CTVNewsEdmonton|date=March 14, 2023 }}{{cite web |last1=Atkins |first1=Eric |title=Flair Airlines has four airplanes seized after failing to pay the leasing company, causing several cancelled flights |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-flair-airlines-boeing-planes-lease/ |website=The Globe and Mail |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311191410/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-flair-airlines-boeing-planes-lease/ |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |date=March 11, 2023 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}} The lessor, Airborne alleged that Flair had repeatedly missed payments amounting to several millions of dollars over a period of five months. Flair used other aircraft to continue to operate its schedule.{{cite web|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/flair-apologizes-for-cancellations-after-plane-seizures-says-leasing-company-in-talks-with-competitor-1.6312579|title=Flair apologizes for cancellations after plane seizures, says leasing company in talks with competitor|last=Mulcahy|first=Karyn|website=CTV News|date=March 14, 2023|access-date=March 14, 2023}} In January 2024, it was reported that the lessors had filed claims at the UK High Court for costs and that there had been outstanding payments of $1.8 million on the four aircraft when notice of default was served.{{cite web | title = Lessors chase 777 Partners for $28m alleging non-payment for Flair 73… | url = https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/lessors-chase-777-partners-for-28m-alleging-non-payment-for-flair-737s/156425.article | date = January 10, 2024 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20240110152202/https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/lessors-chase-777-partners-for-28m-alleging-non-payment-for-flair-737s/156425.article | archive-date = January 10, 2024 }}

This is a list of destinations that Flair Airlines has operated.{{cite web|url=https://flights.flyflair.com/en-ca/where-we-fly |title=Where we fly|website=Flair Airlines|access-date=January 10, 2024}} It includes destinations served after the airline began scheduled flights in 2017 following the acquisition of Canadian travel company NewLeaf, but does not include or specify destinations served by charter flights that the airline mainly operated between 2005 and 2017.

File:Countries served by Flair Airlines.svg

In December 2017, an interline agreement between Hahn Air and Flair Airlines was announced.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hahnair.com/en/press-release/8129/2017-12-13/flair-airlines-enters-interline-agreement-with-hahn-air#:~:text=Flair%20Airlines%20enters%20Interline%20Agreement%20with%20Hahn%20Air&text=The%20Canadian%20low%2Dcost%20carrier,benefit%20from%20its%20distribution%20services |title=Flair Airlines enters Interline Agreement with Hahn Air |date=December 13, 2017 |access-date=March 24, 2025}} According to iFly.com, Flair Airlines has codeshare agreements with Air Transat, KLM, and Air Europa.{{cite web|url=https://www.ifly.com/airlines/flair-airlines/partner-alliances |title=Flair Airlines Partnerships & Alliances |access-date=March 24, 2025}}

Between 2007 and 2010, Flair was the exclusive supplier of large aircraft to Shell Canada's project at Albian Sands where, at its peak, the airline was moving over 10,000 construction workers per month from 14 points across Canada into Shell's project site, north of Fort McMurray, Alberta.

On October 7, 2013, Flair announced a ten-year agreement with Shell Energy Canada to provide air charter transportation services within Canada. Flair provided logistics planning, passenger reservations, and third-party charter aircraft procurement through a new subsidiary called North Sands Air Services.{{Cite web |title=Shell Canada dissolves corporate aviation department |url=https://skiesmag.com/news/20086-shell-canada-dissolves-corporate-aviation-department-html/ |access-date=August 14, 2023 |website=Skies Mag }}

In September 2010, Flair was approached by an Ontario-based tour company to operate a world tour program to 14 countries. Flair reconfigured one of its Boeing 737-400s from 158 economy class seats to 76 business class seats.

In 2011, Flair operated another world tour to 14 new destinations.

In October 2013, Flair operated a South American tour to 10 destinations.

Flair has provided ongoing personnel movement for the Department of National Defence and other departments of the Canadian federal government.

Flair also offers aircraft, complete crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) charters which provide customers with a 'turn-key' aircraft package.

Flair used to operate flights on behalf of other Canadian airlines, such as Air Transat.{{Cite news |date=May 31, 2017 |title=The 'Mexican game': How Air Transat misled passengers and aviation officials |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/flair-newleaf-airtransat-aircanada-westjet-airlines-cancun-vacation-discount-airlines-1.4096090 |access-date=August 13, 2023}}

{{As of|2025|3}}, Flair Airlines operates the following aircraft:{{TCregister|FLAIR+AIRLINES|Flair Airlines|March 30, 2025}}

On March 11, 2023, the fleet size was reduced by four Boeing 737s (one 737-800 and three 737 MAX 8) due to seizure by the aircraft lessor.{{cite web |title=WHY Airlines are STEALING each others Airplanes! | date=April 6, 2024 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0sAr2QToEo |publisher=Mentour Pilot |access-date=April 6, 2024}}

File:FlairAirlinesBoeing737-400C-FLHE YWGJuly2019.jpg in the 2017–2019 livery]]

Flair Airlines has previously operated the following aircraft types:{{cite web|url=https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/RchHsRes.aspx?st=2&m=%7C%7C&cn=%7C%7C&mn=%7C%7C&sn=%7C%7C&cnn=%7CFLAIR%20AIRLINES%7C&tn=%7C%7C&ln=%7C%7C&fn=%7C%7C&rfr2=RchHs.aspx&print=y |title=Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: History Search Result|website=Transport Canada|date=August 28, 2013 }}

Flair's aircraft are configured with 186 or 189 economy class seats in a 3–3 layout. As a low-cost carrier, the airline charges additional fees for various services and amenities, including additional baggage allowances and in-flight catering. Flair does not offer in-flight entertainment or in-flight internet access (Wi-Fi).

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category-inline|Flair Airlines}}

• {{URL|www.flyflair.com}}

{{Airlines of Canada}}

{{Edmonton Businesses}}

Category:2005 establishments in British Columbia

Category:Air Transport Association of Canada

Category:Airlines established in 2005

Category:Canadian companies established in 2005

Category:Companies based in Edmonton

Category:Low-cost carriers

Category:Charter airlines of Canada

Category:Cargo airlines of Canada

Category:Privately held companies of Canada