Airlines
Air Canada celebrates arrivals of its first Airbus A321XLR
Air Canada has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, marking a milestone in the airline’s fleet renewal and growth. The fleet renewal will include a total of 30 of the A321XLR aircraft – 15 will be leased, while 15 are being acquired directly from Airbus S.A.S. – which will be entering its fleet over the coming years. Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President of Cargo at Air Canada, said that: “Air Canada is building one of the most modern and capable fleets in the industry. The Airbus A321XLR introduces a dynamic new component...
Canadian North pilots ratify tentative agreement
Canadian North pilots -- represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) -- voted to ratify a tentative agreement (TA) reached with Canadian North management. Out of the 94 percent of eligible pilots who voted, 87 percent voted in favour of the new collective agreement. The three-year deal offers improvements to scheduling, compensation, and quality of life. Canadian North Master Executive Council chair First Officer Steven Bard, said: “This contract sets an important milestone for our pilots and for the long‑term stability of our airline. This achievement...
Transat reduces capacity, extends Cuba flight suspension
Transat A.T. Inc. is revising 2026 program, with targeted adjustments on certain routes, in response to the unprecedented aviation fuel crisis and exceptional volatility in energy markets. The company said that the measures are intended to optimize deployed capacity by prioritizing routes with the strongest performance outlook, as part of the Company's ongoing operational discipline. The changes implemented to date represent a 6% reduction in planned capacity from May to October 2026. Transat has been facing significant fuel price volatility for several weeks, as well as supply...
Flair pilots file for conciliation as negotiations hit impasse
The Flair Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) has filed for conciliation with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) following an impasse in negotiations with management. Flair MEC chair First Officer Aimee Wintle said: “Our pilot group is more united than ever. We are ready to reach our second collective agreement and secure one we deserve.” And Wintle continued: “After eight months of negotiations, we remain focused on securing a fair agreement that advances quality of life, compensates pilots properly, strengthens...
Virgin Atlantic takes off in ChatGPT with airline app
Virgin Atlantic has launched an app within ChatGPT, opening up a new way for customers to discover and plan their next trip simply by asking. Building on Virgin Atlantic’s AI-powered Concierge, the Virgin Atlantic app in ChatGPT allows customers to search for flights using everyday language, whether they’re dreaming of a summer escape to London and the English countryside or connecting onwards to visit family or business partners in India or South Africa. Customers can ask for exactly what they want, from “flights to London in July” to “show me flights in Premium from New...
WestJet implements near-term measures in response to rising fuel costs
WestJet has advised that it is “implementing near-term measures” in response to rising fuel costs as the aviation industry responds to ongoing supply chain challenges due to strained access in the Strait of Hormuz. The airline said that it has not made schedule changes due to recent news of fuel availability at this time; however, it is evaluating its summer schedule and may adjust flying to balance fuel supply. The airline adds that it is in regular communication with fuel suppliers and monitoring the global fuel situation closely. WestJet’s current actions in response to...
A Wave of New Offerings from Air Transat for winter 2026-2027
Air Transat has unveiled its 2026-2027 winter program, featuring four new routes -- Quebec City–San José, Toronto–Fort-de-France, London–Puerto Plata, and Charlottetown–Punta Cana – as well as the expansion of the Toronto–Paris and Montreal–Barcelona routes to year-round service. This first phase highlights attractive additions to sun destinations and the strengthening of the airline’s transatlantic offering. Sebastian Ponce, Chief Revenue Officer at Transat, said that: “Demand for sun destinations remains strong, and Transat’s recognized expertise in leisure...
Air Canada temporarily suspending flights from Montreal, Toronto to JFK
Air Canada is temporarily suspending its flights from Montreal to JFK and its flights from Toronto to JFK. The carrier told Travel Press Today (TPT) that since the start of the Iran conflict, jet fuel prices have doubled and, as a result, some of its lower profitability routes and flights are no longer economic, so it is making schedule adjustments accordingly. Air Canada’s 3 daily Toronto and 1 daily Montreal services to JFK will be suspended temporarily from June 1, with plans to resume Oct. 25, 2026. The airline said that it continues to fly to LGA and EWR 34 times daily...