My Experience Flying with Flair Airlines
(F8521 YKF-YYC, 21-Sep-2025 | F8520 YYC-YKF, 26-Sep-2025)
I usually do not write reviews, but my recent experience with Flair Airlines was so disappointing and hurtful that I feel it needs to be shared--not just for future passengers, but also for the airline authorities to understand what is happening on their flights. While I acknowledge that some employees were genuinely trying to do their jobs, the overall treatment I received across both flights (Waterloo Calgary and Calgary Waterloo) left me feeling disrespected, mistreated, and even indirectly discriminated against.
1. Departure from Waterloo (Flight F8521 - 21-Sep-2025)
At the baggage check-in in Waterloo, both my carry-on and check-in bag were under the allotted weight. However, because my bag appeared slightly "fluffy," I was forced to place it in the airline's size-check device. This equipment was extremely dirty, rusty, and poorly maintained. As a result, my bag got scratched and stained--my black bag literally turned brown from the dust and rust inside.
The staff handling this were also rude, unfriendly, and dismissive. There was no courtesy, no attempt to explain politely--just a harsh attitude that immediately set a negative tone for the trip.
2. Return from Calgary (Flight F8520 - 26-Sep-2025)
The return trip was even worse and left me with an extremely negative impression of Flair Airlines.
Repeated bag checks: At Calgary airport, my bag was checked, weighed, and tagged at the counter. However, upon reaching the gate, despite already having the official tag, I was singled out and forced to place the bag again in the size-check cage. When I asked why, the staff brushed me off and insisted it was required. This wasn't just done to me but to several passengers, creating a long line and delaying boarding. It honestly felt like the staff were intentionally targeting people, looking for excuses to declare bags "non-compliant" so they could charge extra fees.
This practice felt unnecessary, unfair, and to me, indirectly discriminatory--almost as if certain passengers were being picked out deliberately for stricter checks.
Cabin condition: The seats on this flight were very old, stitched in places, and even torn in some spots. For an airline that charges extra for everything, the condition of the seating was shocking and unacceptable. It gave the impression of poor maintenance and complete disregard for passenger comfort.
Safety demonstration: During the mandatory safety instructions, one flight attendant was literally using the safety manual as a paper fan to protect her makeup while giving the demonstration. This was in full view of passengers, and it came across as careless, unprofessional, and disrespectful.
Cabin comfort: The plane was uncomfortably warm throughout the flight, with the AC barely functioning. Passengers were visibly uncomfortable.
Noise levels: I was seated near the back, and throughout this midnight flight, several crew members were extremely loud, laughing, giggling, and having personal conversations during takeoff and the flight itself. Passengers who wanted to rest--including myself--were disturbed and unable to sleep because of the noise.
All of these incidents combined showed a lack of professionalism, poor training, and no concern for passenger experience.
3. Overall Impression
Both flights left me with the feeling that I was not respected as a paying passenger. While I understand not every employee behaves this way, the majority of staff I interacted with were rude, careless, and unprofessional. The way my belongings were treated, the repeated bag harassment at boarding, the terrible seat conditions, and the dismissive behavior of the crew all created an environment that felt hostile and unwelcoming.
I cannot ignore the impression that some of this treatment bordered on indirect racial bias, as I noticed a pattern in who was being stopped repeatedly for checks versus who was allowed through with ease. While this may not be openly acknowledged, as a customer I felt the difference--and it left me deeply hurt.
Final Words
For the same fare, other airlines not only treat passengers with dignity but also provide complimentary snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi. Flair Airlines, on the other hand, charges for every little thing while delivering the lowest standard of service I have ever experienced.
This experience has convinced me never to fly with Flair Airlines again, and I will strongly advise friends, family, and colleagues to do the same. A few hardworking employees cannot make up for an overall culture of rudeness, negligence, and unfair treatment.
Passengers deserve respect, fairness, and professionalism--not humiliation, harassment, and indifference. read more