Airlines
Meet Oscar
Air New Zealand is bringing Oscar – its chatbot – to US and Canadian customers. Oscar was first piloted last year in the New Zealand and Australia markets to assist customers with frequently asked questions, saving them time and offering a more personalized experience. Just over a year on and Oscar's Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology allows him to have more than 1,000 conversations each day and successfully answer 75% of questions asked up from just seven percent on his first day (which is big in the bot world). Air New Zealand's chief digital officer, Avi Golan...
Air Canada Makes It New
Air Canada has launched an expanded range of North America Economy fares to give its customers greater flexibility to select the airport and onboard amenities they want when travelling. In redesigning its existing Economy fares the airline is introducing a new comfort fare that provides customers a wide range of features, including complimentary access to Preferred Seats, and the option to purchase other amenities such as Maple Leaf Lounge access. Lucie Guillemette, executive vice-president and chief commercial officer at Air Canada, said: “Air Canada recognizes that people have...
Stay Safe, But Have Fun
Air Transat has unveiled its new safety video that's now available aboard all its flights. Created in partnership with studio Vallée Duhamel, the three-and-a-half-minute video plunges the traveller into a playful universe, without losing sight of the main message – inflight safety procedures. Geneviève LeBrun, vice-president of marketing at Transat Tours Canada, explained that: “Our brand mission, to brighten the everyday with the joy of vacations, is reflected throughout this video, with references to vacations in the South, Canada and Europe everywhere.” LeBrun points out...
New Zealand-Chicago Air Service Takes Off
Air New Zealand will launch a new non-stop service between Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Auckland, beginning in November. From Nov. 30, Air New Zealand will operate the new route three times weekly, year-round with its new configuration Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Flight time will be approximately 15 hours northbound and just over 16 hours southbound. “We expect the addition of Chicago to our network to be an attractive option for Canadians keen to explore New Zealand and Kiwis wanting to visit Chicago or head on to other North American destinations,” says...
Lufthansa Brings A350-900 To Vancouver
Lufthansa is increasing seat capacity to Canada this year, and Vancouver is leading the charge. YVR will be the first destination in Canada to get services by one of Lufthansa’s new flagship Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which will take the place of an A330. That will give Vancouver an increase in seat capacity of 11% by the German carrier. Flights with the A350 commence on May 1 and it will operate on the Vancouver-Munich seasonal summer route on a daily basis. Flights will continue on the route until the conclusion of the summer season, on Oct. 27. “Placing our A350 flagship...
ACV Connects Montreal And Ireland
Tell your clients to pack their bags and take off aboard Air Canada Vacations' new direct flight to Ireland from Montreal every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday during the summer season, from June 2 to Oct. 13. ACV's Ireland your way 2018 features a range of programs that include the Urban getaway, Fly & Rail vacations, Fly & Drive vacations and Guided Tours travel options. Travellers can create their own Urban Getaway to Dublin and then personalise it with a vast choice of activities such as a gourmet excursion or a full-day excursion to the Cliffs of Moher...
Dreaming of Europe With Air Transat
Air Transat has unveiled a new ad campaign in which images of Rome evoke a blissful European vacation. Keeping in line with its campaigns over the past two years and keeping its “Vacation is calling” tag line, Air Transat features its own employees in the ads, as they happily share their favourite vacation spots with travellers. Created in partnership with creative agency Sid Lee, the campaign took flight on March 26 on the Web and social media, as well as television, radio, billboards and in print media. One of the new campaign videos is available at...
Aloha Raptors
Hawaii Tourism Canada hosted Toronto area travel trade types at the Raptors game against the L.A. Clippers last night. And while the Clippers trimmed the Raptors – 117 to 106 – the warm welcome of the Hawaiian Islands made the evening all worthwhile. Check out the Go Hawaii website – https://www.gohawaii.com/ca – to find all you need to know about the islands In the photos: Baxter Media's Wendy McClung; Air Canada's Simona Cercel and Baxter Media's David McClung Air Canada's Duncan Bureau; Dana Gain of Norwegian Cruise Line; and Colin Wood of Hawaii Tourism...