Airlines
Etihad, Amadeus Renew Partnership
Etihad Airways and Amadeus have renewed their Full Content Agreement that ensures Amadeus-connected travel agencies will continue to have access to the airline’s full inventory of flights, seats and other services. Under the agreement, Amadeus’ expanded rich content capabilities allow Etihad Airways to display images of its product and ancillary services, such as exit row seating, so that travellers can actually see the airline’s services on offer when booking through travel agents. “The guest experience is at the core of everything we do at Etihad Airways. Rich content...
Etihad Appoints New GM for Canada
Fatma Al Mehairi has been appointed general manager for Canada at Etihad Airways. Based in Toronto, Al Mehairi will lead the further development of the airline’s commercial strategy in Canada. She will also be responsible for further growing Etihad's relationships with its travel trade and corporate customers and will report to Martin Drew, senior vice-president of The Americas for Etihad Airways. Al Mehairi joined Etihad Airways in 2010 as part of the airline’s Graduate Management Program, where she was trained in multiple aspects of Etihad Airways’ fast-growing...
EVA Expanding Its Reach in North America
EVA Air is further developing its North American services by increasing frequency on current routes and introducing services to a new city, Chicago. From current gateways in Toronto, Vancouver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Seattle, EVA already offers more flights and seat capacity between North America and Taiwan than any other airline. EVA Air, a Star Alliance member, operates a total of 65 North America flights every week and will up that number to 77 by the end of this year. EVA is using seven new Boeing 777-300ERs added to its fleet this year to boost...
Air Canada’s ‘Wanderluxe’ Now Live
Air Canada’s “Wanderluxe” online travel auction site is now live at http://www.wanderluxeauction.com with proceeds going to benefit The Herbie Fund at SickKids and the Air Canada Foundation. Through April 7, Canadians can put their vacation dollars to good use by supporting children in need as 20 Air Canada Vacations' packages to sun destinations will be on the virtual auction block. As an added bonus, every package will include Air Canada Altitude Elite 35K status for the year, giving winning bidders a number of additional benefits any time they travel with Air Canada and Air...
Airline Execs on the Hot Seat
A cross section of airline executives from such carriers as Air Canada, WestJet and Cathay Pacific Airways recently took part in a panel discussion at the Airline Distribution conference in Vancouver – giving them the opportunity to review issues of airline fare distribution and other priorities in the industry. For instance, Duncan Bureau, VP of global sales at Air Canada, broached some of the core issues now shaping alternative distribution channels for airlines. “Some current channels are too expensive and have priced themselves out of the market,” said Bureau. “We would...
UPDATED: NewLeaf Applauds CTA Ruling
NewLeaf Travel is applauding the Canadian Transportation Agency's decision that the company is not required to hold an air licence because it is a "reseller," with company officials indicating that with this decision, they believes the stage is now set to “turn over a new leaf” in the Canadian travel industry. Jim Young, CEO of NewLeaf Travel Company, commented: “We’ve read through the determination by the Canadian Transportation Agency and we are pleased that it has fulfilled its mandate to bring regulatory clarity to the marketplace – this is a victory for Canadian...
Fly Cash-Free With Aeroplan
Aeroplan members will soon have the flexibility to use their Aeroplan Miles to cover the cost of taxes, fees, charges and carrier surcharges when making a flight reward booking via aeroplan.com, the Aeroplan Mobile app or through Aeroplan’s Contact Centre. To take advantage of this offer via aeroplan.com, members simply go online, find their flight reward and select “Pay it all with miles” when given the choice online about taxes, fees, charges and carrier surcharges. This option will be available to members in early April for both of Aeroplan’s Flight Reward products –...
Sunwing Airlines On The Move
Sunwing Airlines’ flights and operations will be moving from Toronto Pearson International Airport’s Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 on May 1. Smaller than Terminal 1, there is less walking required for passengers departing from Terminal 3, making airport processes and operations easier, especially for families with young children or seniors. In addition, from June onwards, the Terminal 3 Enhancement Project will see an extensive duty free section, a range of coffee shops, newsstand and convenience stores, as well as fast-food outlets and sit-down restaurants. Passengers will also be...