Airlines
Disappointed & Deeply Concerned
U.S. travel industry leaders were expressing “disappointment” at the breakdown in COVID-19 relief funding discussions and urging the White House and Congress to get back to the table and conclude a deal. Expressing “deep concern” and pointing to the havoc that the global pandemic has wreaked on the business travel industry, the Global Business Travel Association’s (GBTA) interim executive director, Dave Hilfman said that: “With hundreds of thousands of jobs hanging in the balance, the business travel sector and the American economy need help now, not a month from...
A Call For Change
In an open letter to travel suppliers, the ACTA COVID-19 Travel Agency Leaders Advisory Committee calls for “a holistic review of the systemic practices and policies that are currently in place between travel agencies and travel suppliers.” The travel industry is going through an unprecedented crisis due to the global pandemic and it will be affected adversely for much longer than other industries. Tour operators, cruise lines, airlines, hoteliers, car rental companies and travel agencies have seen their business more or less come to a halt, the letter states. It...
WestJet Flying The Dreamliner From YVR
WestJet and the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) announced WestJet's newest aircraft, the 787 Dreamliner, is now operating five-times weekly between Vancouver and Toronto. Vancouver joins Calgary and Toronto as another domestic destination served by the airline's award-winning aircraft. John Weatherill, WestJet vice-president network planning and revenue, said: “The Dreamliner offers our guests the highest safety and health standards as well as an extremely comfortable inflight experience. We are proud our signature aircraft is now flying non-stop service between...
Sunwing Resumes Flights On Nov. 6
Sunwing will be resuming flight service on Nov. 6, 2020. It will be offering guaranteed flights as of that date, with departures from Toronto to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic on Fridays and Sundays; from Toronto to Cancun in Mexico on Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 7; from Toronto to Montego Bay in Jamaica on Fridays and Saturdays from Nov. 6; and from Toronto to Liberia in Costa Rica on Mondays from Nov. 30. Andrew Dawson, president of Tour Operations for Sunwing, said: “We are thrilled to be resuming our flights on November 6. Bringing dream vacations to life for...
AC eUpgrades Make It Easier For Aeroplan Members
Air Canada is introducing improvements to eUpgrades in advance of the relaunch of its Aeroplan program on Nov. 8, 2020. The improvements will make it easier for Air Canada Status members to use their eUpgrade credits, while improving the value and consistency of this market-leading benefit. Mark Nasr, vice president, loyalty and eCommerce at Air Canada, explained: “We spoke with thousands of our most frequent flyers as we designed the transformed Aeroplan program, and we received feedback covering all aspects of the upgrade experience.” Nasr continued: “We're excited to...
Pressure To Drop Quarantines Intensifies
As the year-end holiday season fast approaches, European aviation bodies are intensifying their call to replace quarantine measures with passenger testing; arguing that this will provide far greater assurance and ability for cross-border travellers to plan family reunions or vacations during this important holiday period. It will also serve as a lifeline to the millions of workers in the travel and tourism sectors whose jobs remain at risk. Following their direct call to action together with the wider travel and tourism sectors in a letter to European Commission President von der Leyen...
Service, Fare Option Enhancements From Transat
Transat is launched its revamped Option Flex service and fare options yesterday (Oct. 1, 2020), offering travellers maximum latitude and flexibility for their trips to the South, the United States, Europe and within Canada. Annick Guérard, chief operating officer of Transat, explained: “We put in place a series of relaxed measures, for both flights and packages, to allow all types of travellers to find the flexibility they need, notably by changing their travel dates or destination, or even cancelling their booking.” Transat is also extending its Book With Peace of Mind offer...
We Salute You … All Of You
Not even a global pandemic could prevent Baxter Media from paying tribute to those in the travel industry who are truly deserving of tributes. On Thursday, Baxter Media took the high-tech route to host the 2020 Agents’ Choice Awards Virtual Gala and salute the favourites of its annual, and 21st, Agents' Choice Awards Readership Survey. The event – the high point for this country’s travel industry – welcomed 700 registered attendees. Required social distancing resulting from coronavirus prompted Baxter Media to reach out virtually this year, rather than hosting another of...