Airlines
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...
WestJet to Launch Calgary-Nashville Service
WestJet will become the first Canadian carrier to feature non-stop service between Calgary and Nashville when twice-weekly flights begin May 4. WestJet began service to Nashville from Toronto last year and currently flies six times weekly on WestJet Encore. Flights from Calgary to Nashville will be operated on WestJet’s Boeing 737 aircraft featuring the enhanced Plus product and WestJet Connect, WestJet’s inflight entertainment system accessed directly through smartphones, tablets or computers. In other news, WestJet launched daily service from Toronto to Sudbury, Ont. on...
Celebrate Canada With Exclusive Fairmont, AC Package
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Air Canada have partnered to help celebrate Canada's 150th birthday with an exclusive new package, Après in the Air, a collection of unique experiences and adventures at three of Fairmont’s most iconic Canadian properties. The package -- beginning at $300,000 -- includes a round trip for 58 people by private charter with Air Canada’s all Business Class private charter service, Jetz, and stays at the Fairmont Château Laurier, Fairmont Le Château Montebello and Fairmont Tremblant. According to officials, the adventure begins with the...
AC Adds Iceland to International Network
Air Canada will launch daily summer seasonal service from Canada to Reykjavik, Iceland. Flights will operate four times and three times weekly from the carrier's Toronto and Montreal hubs respectively, subject to government approvals. Special introductory fares start from $698 round trip, all in, and tickets are now available for purchase. “Iceland is an emerging and exciting vacation destination growing in popularity with its array of outdoor leisure and cultural adventures, and we're looking forward to flying to the Land of Fire and Ice this summer,” said Benjamin Smith,...
IATA Seeks Clarity on Travel Ban
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released a statement on the US Executive Order on Travel (EO), seeking clarity on the radical changes to entry requirements for the United States. Working with 265 member airlines for safe, secure, efficient and sustainable global air transport links, IATA noted that as a matter of principle it works for the “free movement of trade and people across borders.” “IATA also recognizes that states have the right and duty to protect their citizens by enforcing their borders. Where this has implications for air travel, we work...
WestJet Bringing Back Halifax-Gander Service
As part of its 2017 summer schedule, WestJet will once again fly its Halifax to Gander, Nfld. route, with service starting daily on April 30. Overall, WestJet's guests in Atlantic Canada have a total of 31 non-stop routes and 21 different WestJet destinations to choose from. WestJet has increased its capacity out of this region by 75% in the last 10 years and now accounts for 62% of the capacity growth of all of the airlines that serve the Atlantic provinces. WestJet will also offer seasonal service between Calgary and Nashville, Tennessee, as part of its summer scheduling. Other...
Turkish Airlines Enhances Entertainment Options
Turkish Airlines is continuing to enhance its in-flight entertainment system, which now features a redesigned and improved user interface that makes the offered entertainment content and information services easier to use. The redesign is based on a study conducted by professional usability and user experience laboratories to maximize user-friendliness. The new services include a variety of features such as category filtering for movies or ratings of TV shows and movies from IMDb (Internet Movie Database). The system also offers a new search function that allows passengers to access...
Chaos, Confusion, Condemnation
Donald Trump's Jan. 27 executive order banning entry to the US to those travelling on passports from Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya and Yemen for the next 90 days, has created chaos, confusion and condemnation in both the US and around the world. Courts in four US states – Massachusetts, Virginia, Washington and New York – have already issued orders which prevent authorities from either detaining or deporting travellers from the seven named countries who have US visas, green cards or are refugees. There have been angry demonstrations at major US airports in New York,...