Airlines
Lufthansa Rolls Out New Business Class Cabins
New Business Class and Premium Economy cabins, as well as Internet access, are all part of Lufthansa's recently completed cabin renewal program -- the largest in the company’s history. As of now, only aircraft with new cabin interiors are in scheduled service. Thus, all 106 Lufthansa long-haul aircraft in the Business and Economy Class are equipped with the latest cabins and the newest seats. In 76 aircraft, passengers can indulge in the new First Class cabins. Lufthansa has also introduced its new Premium Economy Class on two Canadian routes, Vancouver-Frankfurt and...
Malaysia Airlines Continues Restructuring Plans
Malaysia Airlines is continuing with restructuring plans, part of which sees Charles McKee appointed the airline's new head of marketing. McKee, a graduate of Harvard University, has lived and worked in Canada, the US, the UK, Japan and Hong Kong. His previous roles included vice-president of marketing for Air Canada, as well as vice-president, International, at the Canadian Tourism Commission. In related news, Malaysia Airlines has leased six new A350-900s to replace its B777-200s which will all be retired before June 1, 2016. New Business Class seats will also be introduced by...
Air Canada Encouraging Toronto Stopovers
Air Canada customers travelling between the US and Europe or Asia via the airline's Toronto Pearson hub now have an opportunity to pause their journey in the city for up to one week with no stopover fee. This special offer, developed with the support of Tourism Toronto, is designed to encourage US-originating international customers to take advantage of their connection to experience Canada's largest city. “As Air Canada's global hub, Toronto Pearson is quickly growing in popularity as the most efficient connecting point for US-originating travellers to Europe or Asia. But in...
Biz Travellers Prefer AC
It seems Air Canada is getting down to business, with a recent Ipsos Reid Business Traveller Survey naming the airline Canada's favourite for business travel. Air Canada was preferred by 86% of Canadian frequent business travellers surveyed for 2015, an improvement of 17 percentage points in Air Canada's ratings in the national survey over the past seven years. The survey showed consistently strong ratings in customer preference for Air Canada's frequent flyer reward program, flight schedule, Business Class service and Maple Leaf Lounges. Other findings: Overall satisfaction...
Porter Inaugurates Pittsburgh Service
Porter Airlines inaugurated new service between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Pittsburgh yesterday (Sept. 21). Porter will operate two daily weekday roundtrip flights departing Toronto at 8:25 a.m. and 3:05 p.m. Return flights depart Pittsburgh at 10:05 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Weekend service includes one roundtrip on Saturday and two on...
Porter Enhances Loyalty Program
Porter Airlines has relaunched its VIPorter loyalty program, giving members the opportunity to earn free flights and premium status faster. Points are now earned on every dollar spent, from flights to seat selection and changes, as well as checked bags. Members can also redeem points on any flight, at any time, with no blackout dates. The number of points needed to redeem a flight is based on the fare at time of booking. Among the most significant changes to the program is the introduction of premium member tiers. Each tier recognizes the airline’s most frequent flyers with...
Air Canada Aims To Be A Champion
Air Canada is in the process of being transformed into a ``global champion,” according to Ben Smith, president of AC’s passenger airlines. Smith told a recent forecasting conference in Las Vegas that a three-pronged plan between now and 2018 is concentrating on network optimization, fleet growth and reconfiguration and the flexibility to adjust to shifting market conditions. By 2018, the widebody fleet will grow significantly from the current 70 aircraft to just under 100, while today’s narrowbody complement of 208 will max out at about 250, reports Montreal editor, Mike Dunbar...
WestJet Off To London
WestJet is making it a little easier for Canadians to get to the United Kingdom. The airline will launch new non-stop service to London (Gatwick) next spring, offering a total of four times daily from six Canadian cities – Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto and St. John's. The new routes represent WestJet's first non-stop service to London, and the only non-stop service from Winnipeg to the United Kingdom. One-way fares will start from: Toronto, $249; Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, $299; Winnipeg, $279; and St. John's, $199. WestJet will also be offering...