Airlines
NASA Working On Supersonic Passenger Jet
The return of supersonic passenger air travel is one step closer to reality with NASA's award of a contract for the preliminary design of a “low boom” flight demonstration aircraft. This is the first in a series of “X-planes” in NASA's New Aviation Horizons initiative, introduced in the agency’s Fiscal Year 2017 budget. “NASA is working hard to make flight greener, safer and quieter – all while developing aircraft that travel faster, and building an aviation system that operates more efficiently,” said NASA administrator Charles Bolden. “To that end, it’s worth...
United Cuba bound?
United Airlines has Cuba on its radar with the airline submitting a formal application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for permission to provide service from four of its largest US gateway cities – Newark/New York, Houston, Washington, D.C. and Chicago – to Havana's José Martí International Airport. If approved, United will be one of the first US airlines to offer customers daily, non-stop scheduled service to Cuba. “This is a historic moment for our company, our employees and, most importantly, our customers,” said United president Oscar Munoz. “We want...
‘Wanderluxe’ Gala to Benefit the Herbie Fund
The Air Canada Foundation and SickKids Foundation report that “Wanderluxe,” a fundraising gala and travel auction that supports the Herbie Fund at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), is now sold out. An online travel auction, open to the public, will be the first of its kind in Canada to benefit children’s charities. The bidding site, http://www.wanderluxe.ca, going live on March 29, will feature 20 Air Canada Vacations' packages that include Elite 35k Status for a year. Additional packages include trips to Italy, India, France, and various destinations in Asia with...
Chinese New Year Holds Big Promise for AC
An Air Canada Chinese New Year gala dinner at Kirin Restaurant in Richmond BC recently gave the airline the opportunity to review company highlights from the past year, and to also look ahead at what is in store for 2016. Gala attendees were thanked for all the support and commitment that made 2015 the best year ever for Air Canada. They learned that a record fourth quarter capped off a record year in which Air Canada earned a net income of over $1.2 billion. Meanwhile, 2016 – the Year of the Monkey – promises to be a good one for the airline, as it launches a number of growth...
Increased Capacity
Air Canada is increasing capacity on two of its routes serving Labrador & Newfoundland by 48% for summer 2016 travel. Effective May 1, flights between Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Halifax, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay and St. John's will be operated by Air Canada Express with 74-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft instead of the current Bombardier 50-seat CRJ. Flights from St. John's are timed to provide an opportunity for same-day return itineraries, while Halifax flights offer convenient connections to/from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and the Maritimes. Additional AC Express services...
Happy Birthday, WestJet
Happy birthday, WestJet! Hard to believe that it was 20 years ago that the carrier launched its first flight, but it is and the carrier is starting its next 20 years with a new Canadian-inspired logo, a birthday seat sale and lots more. WestJet's president and CEO, Gregg Saretsky observed that: “In just 20 years, WestJet has established itself as a great Canadian success story. From humble beginnings, we have grown to become an international airline and a strong contributor to the growth of Calgary, the province and the country.” And Saretsky continued: “I would like to...
Inflight Entertainment Goes Mobile at Transat
Air Transat has launched a new personalized inflight entertainment app on its Boeing 737 narrow-body jets, giving passengers access to a selection of movies and TV series, as well as music playlists on their iOS mobile devices. “We care deeply about enabling our passengers to start their vacations as soon as they board their flights, and even slightly before. Our new CinePlus B app now makes that possible,” said Jean-François Lemay, general manager, Air Transat. Passengers can download the innovative CinePlus B app from the App Store and then, a few days before departure, are...
Republic Airways Files for Chapter 11 Reorganization
US regional carrrier Republic Airways Holdings Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection. The Indianapolis-based short-haul carrier, which feeds flights to American Airlines Group Inc, Delta Air Lines Inc and United Continental Holdings Inc brands, reports Republic and its subsidiaries will continue normal business operations while restructuring the company’s finances and contractual relationships. “We worked hard to avoid this step,” said Bryan Bedford, Republic’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Over the last several months, we’ve attempted...