A new option for the budget-conscious traveller is now off the ground.
Swoop, an offshoot of WestJet Airlines, made its maiden flight Wednesday on a pink and white aircraft flying from Hamilton to Abbotsford, B.C.
"From my perspective coming into this fresh, I've been in Canada four months now, I personally believe there's a huge opportunity in Canada," said Swoop president Steven Greenway.
Greenway is an Australian native who has worked in executive positions at airlines including Japanese low-cost carrier Peach, Virgin Blue, Virgin Atlantic and Qantas.
Swoop marks his sixth airline startup.
By discounting travel, Swoop, Flair Airlines and others are trying to repatriate the more than five million Canadians who cross the border to catch flights from airports in Buffalo and Plattsburgh, N.Y., and Bellingham, Wash.
Initial one-way flights start at $49 tax included from Abbotsford to Winnipeg, $129 between Hamilton and Abbotsford and $99 between Hamilton and Halifax.
The fares don't include a range of fees, including for carry-on luggage and checked bags starting at $26.25, seat selection starting at $5, and an additional $15 to contact the call centre if service can't be carried out on the website.
The only luggage you can bring without paying extra is a bag that will fit under the seat in front of you. No pets aside from guide dogs are allowed on board and any credits are only valid for 90 days. No loyalty points will be awarded.
Swoop is starting with two planes, with plans to roll out six by year-end and 10 in 2019.
Instead of flying from Toronto Pearson International, flights will fly out of Hamilton's lower-cost airport. Other initial cities are Winnipeg, Edmonton, Halifax and Abbotsford.
Additional destinations will be added, including international flights likely by the end of 2018, said Greenway. Flair plans to fly to Orlando and Palm Springs next winter.
While there is a real concern that passengers could feel being "nickled and dimed" by a series of ancillary fees, experience in Europe over the past 20 years suggests passengers ultimately focus on the fares, said Greenway.
"It is an education process and I think people will adapt over time."
Swoop is entering an area of the airline business that doesn't have a stellar history of success in Canada: Jetsgo, Air Canada's Tango, Canada 3000 and Roots Air have all floundered in the past.
Canada is the only G7 country without a true ultra low-cost carrier (ULCC) and the model has been successful in Europe, Australia and the United States, said transportation analyst Chris Murray of AltaCorp Capital.
"I don't think we've ever seen a true ULCC model in the Canadian marketplace before so I think we're in somewhat uncharted territory," he said.
But marketing expert Tony Chapman thinks Canada may be ready.
"We're in a world where there's a race to zero, the price is the only thing that seems to be getting our attention." Chapman told NEWSTALK 1010 Wednesday.
"The value segment is growing everywhere. It's growing in grocery, you're seeing it with No Frills. It's growing in banking with things like Tangerine. And it's certainly going to grow in airlines."
Chapman admits Swoop will not appeal to business travellers or people looking for a luxury experience.
"This is someone that's going to treat it like a flying bus."
Chapman says the low cost could translate into some Swoop passengers acting out.
"When you have a commodity like that, you often treat it that way. You lose a little bit of respect for it," Chapman explains. "I'm giving you you the least amount of money, you're giving me the least amount of service and very often, you get the behaviour that follows it."
with files from the Canadian Press and Siobhan Morris