Zoom across the Atlantic: Low-cost airline coming London-New York?
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For several years, Canadians have flown their home-grown international discount airline, Zoom, to Europe at prices that often severely undercut Air Canada and the European carriers.
Now, Zoom wants to be let out of its cage and be allowed to fly to Europe from the United States as well.
Zoom’s desired inaugural U.S. route is the busy London-New York corridor. This is the same city pair that all-business class carriers like Maxjet, Eos, and Silverjet are flying, competing with the major airlines for the big bucks, but this is at the opposite end of the luxury spectrum. Travel Weekly (sub) reports that a UK-based Zoom subsidiary — Zoom UK — has applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation to start flights on June 22 between JFK and London-Gatwick.
But beware: Zoom functions more like a European discount airline than an American one. Assuming that they keep the same model as their Canadian operations, you’ll get a low fare, but there may be add-ons. (They do feed you, though.) For example, Zoom has a low weight limit per suitcase for its luggage, and requires a pretty hefty surcharge if you go over the limit. Seat assignments will cost you a fee.
The premium economy option may be worth it, depending on the upcharge, since it gives higher luggage limits, more legroom, seating assignments, free headsets, and free booze. There’s no first or business class.
Not the posh experience of an Eos, to be sure, but if you’re young, cheap, and not spoiled rotten, this could a cheap way to hop the pond.
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January 27th, 2007 at 5:40 am |
Flown Zoom (Gatwick to Toronto & Toronto to Stansted) they were OK. No complaints here. New aircraft, OK food, plenty of movies. Better than American Airlines for sure.
April 4th, 2007 at 6:25 pm |
i dont agree with your comment about zoom. I think if you have the chance to fly with them it will be a little different. The baggage size is the same as air canada, British airline’s, and same with some american airline’s too. Im also sure if you go over an american airline’s baggage size they will charge you too. In the end your probably paying more for then what you would pay for flying with zoom. Plus most of the people who work for the Zoom are young and really fun people. I think people should give them a try.
April 4th, 2007 at 6:43 pm |
What part of my post do you disagree with, Jeffery? I don’t think I’m particularly critical of Zoom, frankly.
And I disagree vehemently with you on one point: baggage.
Zoom’s economy baggage limit is 44 lbs. TOTAL per passenger. American and United allow 2 pieces at 50 lbs. each, or 100 lbs. total. That’s a BIG difference.
http://www.flyzoom.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=pubDsp.dspTraveling&intPageID=3
As far as staff is concerned, I’m hearing good things! Sounds like you work for them, and your enthusiasm shows.
April 13th, 2007 at 2:58 pm |
[…] the Canadian-British discounter, has jumped its earlier hurdles and received approval to fly from London-Gatwick to New York-JFK. Flights are scheduled to start […]
April 29th, 2007 at 11:29 pm |
[…] Bmi offers improved catering in their version of premium economy, while United doesn’t. Zoom, a discount airline that recently started a New York-London route, also has an improved legroom […]