Airlines
Discover Airlines takes off into the future with new long-haul cabin
Discover Airlines has announced that its equipping its long-haul fleet -- a total of 16 Airbus A330-300s -- with a completely new cabin. The move comes five years after its founding, the young leisure carrier is sending a clear message of what the future holds as it introduces the latest product generation in all three travel classes, creating a customer experience of the highest standard for its guests. The first aircraft with the new cabin will take to the skies in April 2027, with the rest of the Airbus A330 fleet to be retrofitted gradually thereafter. All aircraft are scheduled...
Porter takes off transborder from YVR, adds more sun from YOW
Porter Airlines continues to grow its network, celebrating the launch of nonstop service between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), with the seasonal service marking the airline’s first transborder route from Western Canada. The flights will operate daily until April 19, 2026. Andrew Pierce, vice president, network planning and reporting, Porter Airlines, said: “Being able to give travellers more convenient options to travel from Vancouver is a pivotal moment for Porter. This route makes Phoenix’s unique desert and mountain...
IATA reports strong 2025 passenger demand, raises capacity constraints concerns
IATA has released its 2025 full-year and December 2025 passenger market performance, revealing record high demand. Highlights of the report show that: Total full-year demand in 2025 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 5.3% compared to 2024. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 5.2% in 2025. The overall passenger load factor (PLF) reached 83.6%, up 0.1 ppt and a record for full-year traffic. International full-year demand in 2025 increased 7.1% compared to 2024, and capacity rose 6.8%. The full year international load factor was...
Etihad Airways, Calgary Airports announce Abu Dhabi service
Calgary Airports and Etihad Airways have announced a direct route to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, currently the only direct flight between Western Canada and the UAE. Flying four days a week beginning Nov. 3, the route connects Canada’s energy capital and gateway to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, with another global energy capital, a city of rich cultural heritage, vibrant opportunity, and desert adventure. Chris Dinsdale, President and CEO of Calgary Airports, said that: “Calgary Airports is proud to partner with Etihad Airways to link two great cities. This direct route is...
Porter continues to expand summer schedule with new flights
Porter Airlines has announced its 2026 summer schedule with new destinations, new routes, added frequencies and the continuation of popular winter markets. Porter’s U.S. network continues to expand with new flights to Nashville International Airport (BNA)—served from Toronto City (YTZ). Boston (BOS) also sees new service from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL). Further enhancing service across Canada, Porter is introducing six new routes across Toronto Pearson, Hamilton (YHM) and Ottawa (YOW). Beginning May 1, service in Sudbury (YSB) and Windsor (YQG) moves to Ottawa from...
Air Canada takes off with more choice, more cities, more sunshine
Air Canada is taking off with a strategically expanded winter network that includes the addition of Quito to its network; year-round service to Manchester and Copenhagen; two sun destinations from Calgary; and increased winter services to Latin America destinations. The carrier notes that the winter route expansions follow the plan it announced earlier this month to launch the only non-stop flights from North America to Sapporo. Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President of Cargo at Air Canada, said that: “With a comprehensive network...
TravelBrands Launches FlexAir by Encore
To help Canadian travel agents protect and close more cruise bookings with confidence, TravelBrands Encore Cruises has launched FlexAir by Encore. The new air booking solution allows advisors to hold qualifying flights with $0 due at time of booking, giving them more time to finalize their clients’ cruise plans without risking today’s airfare or losing momentum on the sale. Key benefits of FlexAir by Encore include: $0 due at time of booking* Hold flights for up to 30 days prior to departure* Protect today’s pricing* Sell with confidence, not pressure FlexAir...
Welsh tourism execs promising Canadians a warm welcome in Cardiff
Tourism executives from Wales were in Canada last week, getting the word out about WestJet's upcoming launch of its new seasonal flights to Cardiff in May of this year and letting Canadian travel advisors and tour operators know just exactly what Wales has to offer their clients. Visit Wales’ Stephen Nase and Cardiff Airport’s Lee Smith and Wayne Moye delivered that message to travel trade types in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto and they were well pleased with the reception they received from the travel trade here in Canada. And there is certainly lots of excitement about...