This is fascinating — a new(ish) Canadian airline will seat passengers depending on whether they’re single, in a relationship, or traveling with their family.
In this post:
OWG, a new airline by Nolinor Aviation
Nolinor is a charter airline based in Montreal. The carrier operates quite a fleet, ranging from some old Boeing 737s, to Learjet 45s, to Convair 580s. There’s a lot that makes this fleet fascinating, including:
- Some of the 737s are equipped to land on gravel airstrips (Nolinor operates a lot of charters to Northern Canada)
- Nolinor operates the world’s oldest 737 that’s still flying; specifically, the airline has a 737-200 that has been flying for over 47 years, since 1974
- Nolinor even has a Boeing 737 that can be converted into an all-business class configuration
In 2020 Nolinor announced plans to start a new airline that’s named OWG (“Off We Go”). The airline is based in Quebec, and will offer flights to Southern destinations (think Cuba and Mexico). You might be thinking “oh great, another ultra low cost carrier,” since that’s all the rage nowadays.
However, that’s not the direction the airline is taking. Here’s how the airline describes itself:
In recent years, different categories of airlines have emerged. After a lengthy look at the profile of each of these categories, we have come to the conclusion that OWG is not a LOW COST or ULTRA LOW COST type airline. The vision of these airlines is to reduce an air transport service to its simplest components. We at OWG believe that no matter what fare formula is in place, the priority must remain to provide an experience, and to do so, our passengers must be at the heart of our priorities. Our vision is to give you a hefty dose of love and that’s why OWG is an airline in the HIGH LOVE category.
The airline will operate a fleet of Boeing 737s, including 737-400s with 158 seats, and the airline is also acquiring a 737-800 (as it’s described, the airline is acquiring older planes “in order to offer competitive rates”).
OWG’s “HIGH LOVE” inflight product
In March 2022, OWG will launch flights between Montreal (YUL) and Los Cabos (SJD). The service will initially operate three times on weekends over spring holiday periods, but presumably the flight has the potential to be extended. At over 2,500 miles in each direction, that’s quite a long flight. OWG is selling this service as the “HIGH LOVE” experience.
These flights will offer quite an experience, at least compared to what you may expect. Passengers will receive “complimentary gourmet meal service” on these flights, and will also get complimentary “unlimited” open bar service.
Even more interesting is that passengers can be seated in one of three zones, in order to ensure a “different” experience for passengers:
- Singles can travel in the “High Zone”
- Couples can travel in the “Love Zone”
- Families can travel in the “Heart Zone,” at the back of the aircraft
How interesting to see an airline separate passengers based on whether they’re single, in a relationship, or traveling as a family. While I’m sure some single people will love sitting next to other singles, others may not. After all, just because you’re single doesn’t mean you necessarily want to be hit on by another passenger, who you’re stuck in a metal tube with for over five hours.
OWG is partnering with all-inclusive resorts in Los Cabos to sell these flights as part of package holidays. Passengers have different hotel price points they can choose from, and then the idea is that this is an all-inclusive package, starting from the moment you step onto the plane.
Bottom line
OWG is a new airline by Nolinor Aviation. The airline will operate a fleet of Boeing 737s to destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico. The airline has put its “HIGH LOVE” flights to Los Cabos on sale, offering complimentary meals and drinks, as well as separate seating zones for singles, couples, and families.
It’s certainly cool to see an airline try something different. I’m curious to see if people are willing to pay for a better inflight soft product, especially when the hard product isn’t that great.
What do you make of OWG’s inflight experience?
Everything sounds great EXCEPT, apparently they have absolutely no USB or power outlets to charge devices. I know my Samsung phone will maybe play one movie before the battery is dead.
why offer food on a 3.5 hour flight to Cuba instead of charging ports?
Just returned from vacation. Everything about owg was fantastic. Can’t say enough about service or on time flying. Definitely my airline
Wow. I have traveled quite a bit with airlines such as Air Canada, WestJet, and Swoop, Flair so called low cost airlines.
But OWG. I had not even heard that name. But all I can is WOW. Ten Stars. Five would be an insult. Free drinks (hey offered water even before departure) and few food. Probably the only one for a 3 1/2 hour trip. Seats spacy. Staff, 10.
I keep getting cancelled by this airline--4 times in the last 2 yrs!! My money has been held by them since March 2020 and will not offer a refund. I have had to pay for 3 trips to Cuba with Air Canada. Don't trust them.
Does owg offer business class at front of plane? (wider seats, more leg room etc.)
BigG:
Correction - If you ever seen (sic) the people from Canada who go to Cuba on package vacations to Cuba in the dead of winter you would understand this . It’s basically SUN tourism.
Sounds like Wardair light - started as a Canadian charter with 'gourmet meal' and free flowing liquor for everyone
Except no 747 and I'm guessing no champagne, filet mignon or lobster
This ranks up there with promotions along the lines of United touting their "upcoming supersonic service" around the world. Grab attention and offer exactly the same as anyone else in the end. Which is nothing.
Nolinor almost exclusively serviced the diamond and gold mines in the Arctic . Flew workers and gear in on rotation ergo the skis on the 737 . If you ever seen the people from Canada who go to Cuba on package vacations to Cuba in the dead of winter you would understand this . It’s basically sex tourism .
Oh how feeble minded you are! "Its basically sex tourism." I have been visiting Cuba for decades and while I am sure sex is available in Cuba, it is also available in any destination,,,,Thailand, Las Vegas just to mention a few. The Cuban people are genuinely warm hearted and are having a tough go in life. Anything you bring them, fishing nets, asprins, bandaids, bras, jeans, you nameit, it is well appreciated
What is wrong with you. I travel to Cuba often. 13 of my 15 trips I have travelled alone. What is sex tourism?
I look forward to trying out this airline next month..
@Bob if she's still coming on the trip, you're not doing it right
If she's 'coming' on the trip, you are definitely 'doing it' right.
@Lucky - That photo you posted of a 737-200 is *not* a 200. It's a 400. You of all people don't get a pass for this. Do better.
Based on the tail number (C-GNLQ), it's actually a 737-300. You can tell it's not a -100/-200 due to the high bypass turbofan engines.
This is such a bizarre concept that I'm tempted to try it.
Can you change your section after booking? What if you are single when you book but find true love before you board the flight?
What if after booking you become single.... do you still have to sit next to your ex?
If she's still going on the trip, you're doing it wrong
SPOILER ALERT:
By the end of this flight, we'll be hearing the following in the "High" zone:
"I'm not your friend, buddy!"
"He's not your buddy, guy!"
"I'm not you guy, friend!"
Seems like a very common, normal Canadian charter airline. Think SunWing, Canjet, etc. The package concept is very entrenched in Canada, much more than in USA. The majority of Canadians visiting sunspots fly on carriers that don't sell flights directly or through normal booking channels, don't publish "air-only" fares. The gimmick here is the seat selection marketing, which seems relatively trivial. This is a nothingburger to Canadians and they'll likely prosper and give up the...
Seems like a very common, normal Canadian charter airline. Think SunWing, Canjet, etc. The package concept is very entrenched in Canada, much more than in USA. The majority of Canadians visiting sunspots fly on carriers that don't sell flights directly or through normal booking channels, don't publish "air-only" fares. The gimmick here is the seat selection marketing, which seems relatively trivial. This is a nothingburger to Canadians and they'll likely prosper and give up the silly seating eventually.
Considering that Sunwing now charges $25 each way for a carry-on bag, and anything food related onboard, this is a welcome change.
"Hey, Baby. You're turnin' my 737 into a 777."
OMG!!!! I cracked up after reading this. Thanks for making my day!
This 737 has been flying for 47 years and is still up for the task.
This has FAIL written all over it. (if it ever actually happens)
Travelling alone doesn’t mean your single. Stupid idea
What sort of psychotic family would volunteer to be on this flight where, in addition to a cabin filled with drunk creeps, they know in advance they will be stuck sitting way in the back, where people in line to pee after a bunch of beers are also falling over onto their kids.
Exactly my thought... though I thought their attempt at upselling it was hilarious "families would be close to the bathrooms and flight attendants"
Yeah, so... why?
Will these 734s be equipped with extra large bathrooms branded as the Mile High zone?
This plus an open bar = What could possibly go wrong? Sheesh.
It would be nice if all airlines adopted sitting families with kids way in the back. Preferably behind a soundproof wall.