Airlines
Emirates, Amadeus Renew Full Content Deal
Emirates and Amadeus have renewed their distribution agreement to ensure that the airline’s full inventory of fares and flights is made available to Amadeus-connected travel agencies and travellers worldwide. The deal means that Emirates content is made available to the world’s largest network of travel sellers, and Emirates’ customers can continue to search and shop for all Emirates products and services through the channel of their choosing. Renewal of the full content agreement comes shortly after Emirates was named the most valuable airline brand according to the...
Delta Launches Toronto-Salt Lake City Service
Delta Air Lines has launched daily year-round flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport and its hub at Salt Lake City International Airport. Flights are operated using 132-seat Airbus A319 aircraft, featuring 12 First Class seats and 18 Delta Comfort+ seats. “Service to Salt Lake City gives Toronto customers one-stop access to nearly 50 destinations throughout the US from our Mountain West hub, including many destinations favoured by Canadians like Palm Springs, Colorado Springs and Phoenix,” said Steven Larkin, Delta’s director of sales for Canada. “Customers...
Making The Connections
In this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press, Ann Ruppenstein reports on Vacation.com's 18th International Conference and Trade Show that was held in Hollywood, Florida last week, while Bob Mowat sits down with Travelport America's group vice-president & managing director to talk about how both the GDS and agents are redefining their value in the marketplace. Vacation.com – All About Challenge And Change In light of the challenges impacting the travel industry, Vacation.com president John Lovell forecasts “moderately good” growth across cruise sales for the...
AC Flies 300 Firefighters From Johannesburg to Edmonton
Air Canada flew 300 South African firefighters into Edmonton from Johannesburg, South Africa, over the weekend. The firefighters are from South Africa's Working on Fire Program and will assist in firefighting efforts underway in Northern Alberta. It is the organization's largest-ever deployment. “Air Canada's employees have once again risen to the challenge to make this mission possible,” said Marcel Forget, senior vice-president, Commercial Strategy. “This is the first time Air Canada has operated into South Africa, which also required rescheduling flights to make one of...
WestJet Goes Mobile With TSA PreCheck Program
WestJet reports that eligible guests departing from US airports will now be able to receive the TSA PreCheck designation using web, mobile and kiosk check-in. Until now, only eligible guests who received their boarding passes at WestJet counters could take advantage of the program, which offers a less-intrusive search when departing from US airports. “This next step is very important for our guests, particularly those who make use of one of our many self-serve options,” said Ed Baklor, WestJet senior vice-president, Guest Experience. “The ability to check in, add your known...
Emirates Shows Off Impressive A380 800
Dwarfing every other commercial jet in the skies and sporting a wingspan that will barely fit inside a football field, the A380 800 aircraft was the star of the show yesterday (May 25) as Emirates hosted a group of industry personnel to show off the impressive plane at Pearson International in Toronto. Emirates boasts the world's largest fleet of Airbus A380s – there are currently 74 in service, including one that flies from Toronto to Dubai. The 489-passenger planes (in ultra long range configuration) are equipped with industry-leading comforts, including a First Class cabin...
Silk Holidays Announces Grand Prize Winners
Two travel agents who attended recent road shows by Silk Holidays on Taiwan and the Philippines are winners of trip grand prizes. Silk Holidays held the Fun in the Philippines and Taiwan road shows in Nanaimo, Victoria, Abbotsford, Kelowna, Edmonton and Calgary. The events drew hundreds of travel professionals to learn about both destinations. Each are supported by the campaigns “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” and “Taiwan -- The Heart of Asia.” The two prizes were sponsored by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Philippines Department of Tourism and EVA Air. One prize...
Helping Find Canada’s Missing Children
In recognition of International Missing Children's Day, WestJet and the Missing Children Society of Canada (MCSC) are asking Canadians to join the world's largest online search party by donating their social media feeds to the Most Valuable Network. The goal is for 41,342 new users to sign up – one new user for each child reported missing in one year. The first hours after a child goes missing are crucial to their safe recovery, which is why it's so important to spread the word quickly through social media. “Caring for children is a priority for us,” said Jenifer Badry,...