Airlines
Checked Baggage Fees On The Rise
WestJet has increased fees on checked baggage and advance seat selection in exit rows. The new rates apply to bookings made from Nov. 3 onward for travel on or after Jan. 6, 2016. Bookings made prior to Nov. 3 are not affected. First bag fees of $25 now apply ($35 for a second piece of baggage, and $100 for third and fourth pieces) to guests travelling to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and Europe, as well as guests travelling on domestic and transborder routes. Guests who purchase a WestJet Vacations package or make a group booking to Mexico, Caribbean, Central America or...
Malaysia Airlines Rolls Out New A330 Business Class Seats
Malaysia Airlines unveiled its new A330-300 Business Class seats at World Travel Market in London this week. The new seats, which will be introduced in April 2016, will see all 15 A330-300 aircrafts fitted with the new configuration by September 2016. The advanced seats will be enjoyed by Business Class passengers travelling from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Australia, and to other select destinations within Asia. The Business Class seat pitch measures 43 inches with a width of 20.6 inches and length of 76 inches. The seats come with increased working space, with 90% of all...
Air Canada To Double YVR-London Flights
Air Canada is boosting international flights at its Vancouver hub next summer with double daily flights from YVR to London Heathrow. In addition, the airline's new non-stop flights from Vancouver to Brisbane, Australia will now launch two weeks earlier on June 1. “Air Canada is strategically increasing its international flights at YVR with a second daily flight to London Heathrow next summer in response to seasonal travel demand,” said Benjamin Smith, Air Canada president, Passenger Airlines. “Our second London flight beginning June 1 will be operated with new state-of-the-art...
An Experience To Remember
South African Airways (SAA) teamed up with the South African Tourism, and the Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA), as well as Zambia Tourism and Zimbabwe Tourism to host 50 travel specialists from North America on an educational trip through Southern Africa recently. The group – from Canada and the United States – went on a safari in South Africa, before discovering Cape Town and the Western Cape, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Stroebel Bekker, vice-president sales for SAA in North America, said that: “As the leading carrier from North America to Southern Africa,...
An Award Winning Celebration
Etihad Airways marked a major milestone in its history last night (Oct. 30, 2015), celebrating 10 years of service to Canada and doing it in style. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier hosted about 100 travel trade VIPs, along with representatives from its codeshare and equity partner airlines, such as Jet Airways and Alitalia at Toronto's swanky, Four Seasons Hotel. Special guests included the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) His Excellency Mohammed Saif Helal Al Shehhi and Consul General of the UAE, Sultan Ali al-Harbi. Etihad's senior vice-president -- the Americas, Martin...
Vegas Here We Come!
WestJet has launched twice-weekly service from Abbotsford to Las Vegas, marking the 12th Canadian city with non-stop WestJet service to The Entertainment Capital of the World. John Weatherill, director, network and schedule planning for WestJet, said: “With more than 80 weekly flights from a dozen Canadian cities, WestJet and WestJet Vacations are big players in Las Vegas. In fact, we fly nearly one-third of all international guests into McCarran International Airport – more than one million in 2014 -- and we're delighted to welcome guests from Abbotsford to the party.” The...
More Lift To Auckland
Air New Zealand will be adding additional return service on its Vancouver-Auckland route ahead of the upcoming peak northern summer period between April 2 and May 7, 2016. The popularity of that service, will see the carrier increase its frequency in 2016 from three to four return flights per week. That marks the first time that Air New Zealand has operated four return services on the route during this time period. With the fourth flight departing Vancouver on Saturdays, the airline will add more than 3,700 seats to the route, representing a 33% boost in capacity compared to the...
Air Canada’s Got Seoul
Beginning June 17, 2016, Air Canada will launch a new year-round, daily non-stop service between Toronto's Pearson International Airport and Seoul, Korea's Incheon International Airport. The addition of Seoul is part of Air Canada's ongoing expansion of its international services and to promote the new route, the carrier is offering a special introductory fare starting from CDN$1,399, round-trip all-in, until Nov. 8, 2015 for travel June 17 to June 23 and Sept. 1 to Sept. 30, 2016. Tickets are now available for purchase. Benjamin Smith, president, passenger airlines at Air Canada,...