Airlines
Air Canada, WestJet Further Delay 737 MAX Operations
Air Canada and WestJet have now removed the Boeing 737 MAX from their operating schedules until at least June. Air Canada said the decision is based on operational considerations following an announcement by Boeing Co. that it now estimates the 737 MAX will remain grounded by regulators until mid-2020. Air Canada is removing the Boeing 737 MAX from its operating schedule through June 30 to provide customers certainty when planning and booking their travel. It will also allow the airline to manage its schedule and fleet most effectively as it awaits decisions by Canadian and...
Brussels Airlines Makes It Simple
Brussels Airlines is making it simple. The carrier has decided to offer its customers only one loyalty program, Miles & More. Consequently, the LOOP program launched in 2015 will be discontinued as of Feb. 1. However, LOOP members will still be able to use their LOOPs for a period of 12 months -- until Jan. 31, 2021. It has been over four years since Brussels Airlines launched LOOP, designed for Brussels Airlines customers who travel on a regular basis but don’t fly enough to receive significant benefits from traditional frequent flyer programs. However, Miles & More has...
Exercise En Route Thanks to Air New Zealand, Les Mills
Air New Zealand has teamed up fitness expert Les Mills to create a series of inflight wellness exercises specifically designed to enhance the well-being of passengers. All customers travelling on international Air New Zealand services now have access to a series of stretches, exercises and meditation techniques hosted on the airline’s inflight entertainment system to help ease the tensions of travelling. Air New Zealand senior manager, customer experience, Niki Chave says the partnership is all about leveraging the professional expertise of Les Mills trainers from around the world...
WestJet Adds Halifax-Manchester Service
WestJet is adding a new another connection across the Atlantic into the United Kingdom with new non-stop service between Halifax and Manchester beginning June 5. This summer, WestJet will operate more than 300 seasonal departures from Halifax to London (Gatwick) and Glasgow, Scotland. “WestJet is continuing to invest in our Atlantic gateway, connecting Nova Scotia to the world and the world to Nova Scotia in new ways,” said Charles Duncan, WestJet chief strategy officer. “The UK is Nova Scotia's largest in-bound tourism market and our newest investment connects the province to...
Agencies Moving From Commodity To Value Selling
The world of airline retailing is changing and the transformation the industry is going through in distribution and finance is being impacted by broader long-term global trends, reports Quebec editor, Mike Dunbar in this week's issue of Canadian Travel Press. And, according to Yanik Hoyles, IATA’s director of industry distribution programs, as far as the travel agency sector is concerned it’s going to be a case of “if you engage me to sell your product you have to include me.” Hoyles told a Geneva press briefing that the picture is already changing, citing UK on-line agency...
Last Chance to Win Thailand Trip
This is the last chance for travel agents to enter a Tourism Authority of Thailand/Qatar Airways contest that will send a winner to Thailand with Qatar Airways for a vacation and the tourism authority says the winner is certain to find the country fascinating. “Thailand offers a plethora of experiences for every type of traveller with its world-class cuisine, bustling and vibrant cities, and diverse landscapes with scenic views. One distinctive feature that sets Thailand apart is its diversity of destinations, activities and experiences. Although many destinations are already...
Agents’ Choice Readership Survey Is Now Open
This week marks the launch of Baxter Media's 21st annual Agents' Choice Readership Survey. Like we always say, no one knows travel better than travel agents. The survey asks Canadian agents to vote for their favourite suppliers, destinations, brands, and services in more than 40 categories. All agents who vote, will be entered in a random draw to win one of five fantastic prizes, including: A delightful discovery tour through the sights, sounds, and tastes of 'The Big Easy' on Collette's six-day Spotlight to New Orleans tour for two. A $250 Visa gift card from Manulife. ...
Air Canada Welcomes Its First Airbus A220
It’s no surprise that the registration writ large on the fuselage of Air Canada’s first Airbus A220 aircraft is C-GROV, reports Press Today's Quebec editor, Mike Dunbar. It was chosen by employees to honour president and CEO Calin Rovinescu for his leadership over the past decade; a period which has seen the carrier in major expansion mode while turning in unprecedented profits. The first of 45 A-220s took to the revenue-earning skies on a Montreal-Calgary flight today (Jan. 16), following an unveiling ceremony at the carrier’s base the day before when Rovinescu was praised by...