Airlines
KLM, Air France Debut New Lounge at Pearson
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Air France inaugurated a newly refurbished business class lounge at Pearson International Airport in Toronto yesterday (March 22). A couple of dozen invited trade guests, along with execs from both airlines, were on hand for the event, which included a ceremonial ribbon cutting. The makeover of the 575-sq.-ft. facility was under the direction of designer Johnson Chou, who explained that his inspiration came from playing with planes as a child. The cool and vibrant space features flowing forms, natural light, public and private places, and neutral natural...
Air Transat Pilots Approve Agreement
An agreement reached between Air Transat and the pilots’ union, for the renewal of the collective agreement, has been approved by the pilots. Air Transat and its pilots reached a tentative agreement late last month on renewal of the collective agreement that expired last...
Brussels Airport Remains Closed
Brussels Airport officials have extended their deepest sympathy to the friends and relatives of the victims of the explosions in the departures hall yesterday and report that following these attacks there will be no flights into and out of Brussels Airport today (March 23). In a statement released yesterday, “Because the forensic investigation is still underway, we currently have no access to the building. It is therefore impossible for us to assess the damage. As a result the airport will remain closed to air traffic.” The airport site has been entirely evacuated to give the...
Win With Air France, KLM
Air France and KLM have launched a “World of Spring” contest in which agents can win one of two pairs of tickets to Europe. Through June 30, each ticket an agent sells on Air France- or KLM-coded flights departing from Canada, including flights within Canada operated by WestJet, will earn anywhere from one to three chances to win: tickets sold in Economy class are good for one chance at winning; tickets sold in Air France Premium Economy double the chances of winning; and tickets sold in Air France Business class or KLM World Business class triple the chances of winning. Agents...
Air Canada to Expand Wi-Fi Connectivity
Air Canada is set to offer satellite connectivity on international flights, allowing travellers to e-mail, surf the Internet and stream entertainment at broadband speeds while flying anywhere in the world. The airline already offers customers in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity across its entire fleet of narrow-body aircraft in North America. “Air Canada is pleased to announce it will offer customers the ability to stay connected whenever and wherever they fly by extending in-flight, North American connectivity to its wide-body aircraft flying overseas using satellite technology,” said...
Canadian Airlines’ Profitability Gaining Altitude
Lower oil prices and the weaker Canadian dollar boosted the Canadian airline industry’s bottom line to record levels in 2015, according to The Conference Board of Canada's latest report. Even though industry profitability is expected to subside from the record highs starting in 2016, pre-tax profits will remain very healthy over the next four years, says the board's new Canadian Industrial Outlook: Canada’s Air Transportation Industry. “The two biggest economic stories of 2015 – low oil prices and a weaker loonie – have wreaked havoc on Canada’s economy, but have been a...
ACV Adds Routes for Summer 2016
Air Canada Vacations (ACV) is kicking off the summer 2016 booking season with the introduction of new routes and increased capacity and frequencies, as well as adding exclusive properties to its Sun lineup. New routes include: Montreal to Puerto Plata operating Tuesdays from May to October; Toronto to Samana operating Mondays from May to August. Increased frequencies include: Montreal to Cayo Coco, Santa Clara and Varadero; Toronto to Holguin and Santa Clara. Packages from Montreal to Varadero now include flexible stay options (three to five nights). Certain frequencies from...
WestJet Encore Inaugurates Boston Service
With today's departure of flight 3600, WestJet Encore inaugurated new service between Toronto and Boston, the newest addition to WestJet's growing network. The new service will operate three times daily on WestJet Encore's fleet of Canadian-made Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft. In less than three years, WestJet Encore has gone from two aircraft and 10 daily departures to 28 aircraft and more than 130 daily departures serving 33 cities, including Boston. In June, WestJet Encore will launch service to Nashville,...