Airlines
WestJet Signs Partnership Agreement With ATCO
WestJet has reached a multi-year agreement as the primary flight provider for ATCO and its employees. As part of the partnership agreement, ATCOenergy will also become the official energy provider for WestJet's Calgary Campus and will power WestJet's new 787 Hangar scheduled to open in 2019. “We're delighted to see this strategic partnership come to life between two Calgary companies,” said WestJet president Ed Sims. “It's important for us to work together and we're grateful to have the support of a strong Alberta-based company like ATCOenergy to power our new hangar. We're...
WestJet Says ‘Yes’ to Calgary’s 2026 Olympic Bid
WestJet has announced its support for Calgary's 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games bid. “Since 1996, WestJet has been proud to call Calgary home and we're thrilled to announce our support for Calgary's bid to host the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said WestJet president Ed Sims. “The opportunity hosting the Games would provide in terms of economic growth and tourism is substantial for Calgary, Alberta and our country. We're looking forward to showcasing our city and connecting the world to Calgary through our expanding global network in 2026.” WestJet is...
Up In The Air
“The fact that we’re selling tickets six months in advance that we can’t honour is slightly worrying for us.” That might have sounded like an offhand remark from IATA director general Alexandre de Juniac recently, but it came with a deadly serious warning that hundreds of thousands of passengers could be grounded or rerouted next April 1, should the UK `hard’ Brexit from the EU with no contingency plan for the continuation of air services, reports Quebec editor, Mike Dunbar in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. De Juniac told a press briefing, “A no-deal...
Goway Puts World’s Longest Commercial Flight to the Test
The world’s longest commercial air route has returned to the skies aboard a new Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900ULR, and Belinda MacNeil, product manager for Goway Asia, checked it out, taking her Premium Economy seat for the route’s second flight on Oct. 14, an 18.5-hour journey between Newark and Singapore. With only 94 Premium Economy and 67 Business class seats, boarding the flight is quick and efficient, allowing passengers time to get settled into the spacious seating. While tray tables are stowed in armrests that cannot be raised (no sneaky impromptu beds here), this...
AC, LH, UA Celebrate Diwali
Joint venture partners Air Canada, Lufthansa Group and United Airlines celebrated Diwali Thursday evening (Nov. 1) with dinner, music and prizes. Seen here lighting the candles for the Festival of Lights are John McLeod senior vice-president sales & alliances for Air Canada; Michael Scott, sales manager speciality sales Canada for United Airlines; and Hans DeHaan, senior director Canada for the Lufthansa Group. In the background, looking on during the ceremony, are members of the joint...
WestJet Vacations To Charge For Checked Bags
Effective Nov. 5, WestJet Vacations will start charging for checked baggage. Guests travelling with WestJet Vacations on or after Dec. 3 will be subject to a $30 fee for their first checked bag. This change applies to bookings made on or after Nov. 5 for travel on or after Dec. 3. Clients looking for a more inclusive experience can book WestJet's Premium fare which includes two checked bags, extra leg and elbow room in a Premium cabin seat and...
Marvelous Mazatlan
It's a story of old and new – a colonial city, laid-back beach bars and perfect sunsets. From the Historic District (Old Town) with its cobblestone roads to the Golden Zone with its new eight-km malecón (boardwalk) to the nearby charming town of El Quelite, Mazatlan has it all, offering visitors the best of a two-world getaway – a relaxing beach vacation and an authentic, cultural Mexican experience, reports assistant editor, Greg Coates in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. Located on Mexico’s Pacific coast, north of Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan – which just...
WestJet Adds Several New Routes, Including Barcelona
WestJet has announced the addition of several new routes, including Barcelona out of Toronto. Three-times weekly, non-stop service between Toronto and Barcelona will start May 24 and run through Oct. 21. “In summer 2019 WestJet will provide even more access between Canada and Europe as we continue to expand our international network,” said WestJet president and CEO Ed Sims. “The addition of flights to Barcelona, an important European cruise hub, offers our business and leisure guests convenient flight times and one-stop flight connections from Canada via our Toronto...