Airlines
Lufthansa Improves Its On Board Experience
Passengers travelling on Lufthansa’s short- and medium-haul routes will now enjoy a new experience aboard the carrier’s first Airbus 321neo, which departed recently from Frankfurt for Fuerteventura, and featured the modern Airspace Cabin. In addition to Lufthansa, the new cabin will also be implemented by SWISS, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings, in new aircraft from the Airbus 320 family. The cabin design and entrance area have been redesigned and now appear brighter and more welcoming. Human Centric Lighting, a specially programmed, flexible lighting system, illuminates the...
Air Canada Expands Travel Ready Hub
Air Canada has unveiled its expanded Travel Ready hub, an interactive online tool to help customers plan and prepare for upcoming trips. Customers can use it to easily and conveniently obtain such information as necessary travel documentation, COVID-19 test requirements and country travel restrictions for any global destination. Lucie Guillemette, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Air Canada, said: “We continue to develop practical solutions to help our customers be travel-ready, wherever they want to go. This includes assisting them in navigating the changing...
Vaccinations Mandatory For WestJet Group Employees
The WestJet Group has announced that effective Oct. 30, 2021, all WestJet Group employees will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition, full vaccination status will be a requirement of employment for all future employees hired by the WestJet Group. Mark Porter, WestJet executive vice-president of people, said that: “Protecting the health and safety of our guests and employees remains our number one priority and vaccinations are our best line of defense.” Porter noted that: “Aviation has been one of the hardest hit industries and we believe requiring...
Air Canada Rouge Is Back
Air Canada Rouge has resumed service with flights operating between Toronto and Las Vegas, Orlando, and Regina, with other destinations being introduced in September, including Cancun and Tampa. Jon Turner, vice president inflight services and president, Rouge Operations at Air Canada, said that: “Air Canada Rouge remains integral to Air Canada's overall strategy. As we emerge from the pandemic, we anticipate increased demand for vacation travel and from customers flying to enjoy overdue visits with family and friends.” Turner continued: “Air Canada's leisure airline is...
The 2021 Air Canada Race In Switzerland Signals Hope For The Industry
Although there have been multiple Air Canada Races held since its inception in 2006, arguably the most monumental is the 2021 edition which just wrapped up in Switzerland from August 28-Sept. 2. The competition signalled a restart of travel as it marked the first international trip for the majority of the 36 travel advisors who participated since the pandemic had a detrimental impact on the industry. “While this is the eighth Air Canada Race, this particular one is very special in my view,” Lisa Pierce, Vice President, Canada & USA Sales at Air Canada, told Canadian Travel...
Porter Airlines Is Back And Flying High
Porter Airlines is celebrating today (Sept. 8) as it resumes service from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport close to 18 months after it suspended its flights due to COVID-19 public health and travel restrictions. The carrier's flights to Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Thunder Bay are the first to restart; with service to Halifax, Quebec City, St. John’s, NL, and Moncton resuming in the next 10 days. Beginning Sept. 17, Porter will resume its operations to U.S. destinations, including Boston, Chicago, New York and Washington. Flights to other year-round destinations are set to...
Europe’s Summer Travel Season Sees Mixed Results
In new research, ForwardKeys reports that international flights to European destinations in July and August reached 39.9% of pre-pandemic levels; which is significantly better than last year (which was 26.6%), when the COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread lockdowns; and vaccines were not yet approved. However, ForwardKeys notes that the picture was very mixed, with some destinations doing considerably better than others; adding that the outlook is not improving, as bookings slowed towards the end of the summer period. Looking at performance by country, Greece was the stand-out. It...
Flash: Air Transat Launches Fall Seat Sale
Air Transat has launched what it’s calling its 10,000 Seats Under $299 flash sale and it’s inviting Canadian travellers to book their fall travels to the South or Florida, or within Canada. The promotion is valid for new individual bookings made between Sept. 3 and Sept. 13, 2021 for flights departing from Montreal, Quebec City or Toronto for travel between Sept. 20 and Dec. 16, 2021, to the South (Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, St Maarten), Florida (Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Miami, Orlando) and within Canada (Calgary, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto,...