Airlines
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,...
Air Transat Unveils Winter Flight Program
Air Transat has unveiled its winter 2016-17 flight program, offering travellers service to 34 Sun destinations from 22 Canadian cities, in addition to a robust offering of European destinations. The program features 11 new routes. “This winter, Air Transat will offer more sun for everyone thanks to its wide array of South and European destinations and to its greater presence in various Canadian airports,” says Annick Guérard, president and general manager of Transat Tours Canada. “The addition of small aircraft to our permanent fleet has given us the flexibility to better adapt...
WestJet, Qantas Launch New Deal
WestJet and Qantas Airways have unveiled the details of a reciprocal frequent flyer agreement that will allow members of the airlines' frequent flyer programs to earn their choice of WestJet dollars or Qantas Points when travelling on flights of either airline. The new deal expands on the existing code-share relationship between Qantas and WestJet that was announced in 2014. Bob Cummings, executive vice-president, commercial for WestJet, said, “We are thrilled to team up with Qantas to bring significant benefit to guests of both airlines. We are confident that our members are going...
Emirates, Alaska Air Celebrate Partnership, Customers
A new codeshare and lounge agreement between Alaska Airlines and Emirates was a fitting occasion to welcome top customers, special guests and suppliers to a celebration event in Seattle last week. Press Today's Ted Davis was on hand when the two carriers co-hosted the gathering, which was held at the Chihuly Glass House glass art gallery, in the exhibition complex at Seattle’s Space Needle. With the codeshare agreement in place, Emirates will start marketing up to 300 daily Alaska Airlines flights, giving travellers the ability to purchase connecting flights on both airlines using...