Airlines
A 30th Anniversary Surprise
As part of the celebrations for its 30th anniversary, Transat has kicked off its contest for travel agents across Canada today. Every booking of a Transat product made today by midnight automatically earns agents a chance to win one of the first three trips for two people that will be drawn at random each month: one in Quebec, one in the Ontario-Atlantic region, and one in Western Canada. The three winners will win a package for two, including the Air Transat flight in Economy class and a one-week, all-inclusive stay at the brand-new Majestic Mirage Punta Cana Beach Resort, Golf,...
Etihad Ready For The Challenge
Etihad Airways has reported that 2016 was another year of sustained growth, helped by new aircraft, additional frequencies and the introduction of further world-class products. In total, the airline carried 18.5 million guests during the year, up six percent on 2015. As well, the carrier was also part of the evolution of Etihad Aviation Group, a wider aviation and tourism business which now also includes Etihad Airways Engineering, Airline Equity Partners, Etihad Airport Services and Hala Group. The formation of Etihad Aviation Group was announced in May 2016. In 2016, Etihad...
Welcome To The Future
When the future is knocking on your door, it's best to put on your best and go out and greet it. That's exactly what Air Canada did yesterday, with the launch – simultaneously at events in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver – of a bold new, Canadian-inspired livery for its entire fleet, elegant new uniforms for its employees and a taste of some of the new onboard menu offerings that its customers can look forward to. In Toronto, Benjamin Smith, president, passenger airlines, told his audience: “Air Canada's new livery signals a pivotal inflection point in our 80-year history....
Air Transat Takes Off To Portugal
Air Transat will be adding another direct Toronto-Lisbon flight to its transatlantic summer program, which will now be offering daily non-stop service to Portugal via Lisbon or Porto during high season. The new flight will be operated from Toronto, and service will also be available from Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver with the carrier's connecting flights. Annick Guérard, president and general manager of Transat Tours Canada, said: “In addition to travelling with the best leisure airline in North America according to Skytrax, Air Transat clients can benefit from flights to two...
GNTO, Lufthansa Gear Up For 2017
Last night (Feb. 8) was certainly a nasty night in Toronto, but the freezing rain and treacherous road conditions didn't dampen the spirits of those attending the German National Tourist Offices (GNTO) launch of its 2017 celebrations which highlighted a host of special events, including the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther and the Reformation. Antje Splettstoesser, the director of the GNTO Canada, reported that while the final numbers for 2016 aren't in yet, Germany hosted 75.2 million overnight stays between January and November of last year, representing a 1% increase. Canadian...
Air Canada Recognized
Air Canada has been honoured with the “2017 Award for Best Corporate Sustainability Report – Transportation” in Canada, as recognized by the Finance and Sustainability Initiative (FSI). The annual competition aims to promote excellence in sustainable development reporting among Canadian public companies. Air Canada was selected to receive this honour for its 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, Citizens of the World, updated annually on www.aircanada.com/csr. The airline's fifth corporate sustainability report details Air Canada's performance during 2015 in four key...
San Antonio, Toronto Connect
Air Canada and the San Antonio International Airport have announced a new daily non-stop flight to Toronto that will begin on May 1, 2017. Canada is already among San Antonio's top international leisure markets, and the pending connection will make it much easier for travellers to experience the heart of Texas. San Antonio Mayor Ivy R. Taylor, said: “Daily nonstop service to and from San Antonio and Toronto provides a great opportunity for both cities. With San Antonio celebrating its Tricentennial in 2018, we hope Canadians take advantage of the flights to come see everything we...
Making It Easier To Earn
WestJet has unveiled its enhanced and energized WestJet Rewards program, simplifying the user experience, along with the ability to earn more rewards, faster. Marshall Wilmot, senior vice-president, marketing and digital for WestJet, said: “We have been continuously working to make WestJet Rewards the best rewards program available to Canadians, and these changes reflect these efforts.” Wilmot noted that: “As of today, WestJet Rewards has no more anniversary earn rate resets, no more changing earn rates at different spend levels, three easy-to-understand tiers and lower...