Airlines
Caribbean Airlines Adds Flights
Caribbean Airlines' summer schedule sees the airline offering travellers more options to travel from Toronto to Jamaica. The airline has increased flights between Toronto and Jamaica (Kingston) from three to five weekly departures. Caribbean Airlines offers an all-inclusive inflight experience with complimentary authentic Caribbean meals and signature cocktails, and the first checked bag always flies free. Business class passengers can enjoy three complimentary checked bags, access to CAL’s business lounges, fine dining and a premium bar, plus customers also earn an extra 50%...
USTA Gives the ‘Big Three’ A Thumbs Down
The US Travel Association has come out full-force against the concerted push by America’s “Big Three” carriers to dismantle the Open Skies pacts with the governments of the “Big Three” Gulf carriers. “It’s a major issue that’s brewing,” USTA chief Roger Dow told 6,500 buyers and sellers from 74 countries in Orlando for IPW 2015 last week. And he declared that his organization was intent on keeping intact the open access agreements he said were currently in force with 114 foreign entities. Dow told an IPW media gathering that Open Skies allowed American, Delta...
Transat Introduces Altéa Departure Control System
Air Transat has implemented Amadeus’ Altéa Departure Control System - Customer Management to enhance their passengers’ end-to-end travel experience and simplify pre-departure and check-in processes. According to officials, with Amadeus’ technology solution, Air Transat will be able to reduce passenger processing wait times, making it easier to check-in and move quickly to their gate at all key airports. “Our partnership with Amadeus marks a significant milestone for Air Transat in enabling us to advance our service and efficiencies,” said Jean-François Lemay, Air...
EVA Air, Turkish Airlines Team Up
Star Alliance members EVA Air and Turkish Airlines have launched a codeshare agreement on the Taipei-Istanbul route. EVA has added its code to Turkish Airlines’ current daily flights. When EVA launches service on the route in 2016, Turkish Airlines will reciprocate by placing its code on those flights. And once both airlines are flying Taipei-Istanbul, passengers can use the combined frequencies to plan itineraries with more flexibility and connectivity between Taiwan and Turkey. As the route develops, the two airlines will collaborate to use Istanbul as a hub for travel to more...
Still Time to Win Hong Kong Trip
Agents have until June 15 to sign up for both PartnerNet and CXAgentsCanada for a chance to win a trip to Hong Kong. PartnerNet is an interactive platform for trade partners to build network and explore business opportunities, while CXAgentsCanada.com is a key source of information for travel agents about all things Cathay Pacific. Sign up now at promo.baxter.net/contest/hongkong.asp...
AC Inaugurates Amsterdam, Mexico City Services
Air Canada further expanded its global network with the launch of new flights between Toronto and Amsterdam and Montreal and Mexico City. “Air Canada has firmly committed to a strategy of profitable international expansion and these flights are yet further evidence that we are delivering on this promise. The addition of Amsterdam to our global network is being welcomed by customers because the city is both a popular tourist destination and a major business center with longstanding links to Canada. Air Canada is the only Canadian carrier to offer the route year-round and it will...
Not A Happy Camper
In an advisory to its members – http://www.acta.ca/advisory/lf/lf2015.html -- on this week's announcement by Lufthansa Group that it would be implementing a 16 Euro distribution cost charge (DCC) on tickets for bookings that did not come through its web site, B2B agency portal, service centres or airport ticket counters beginning Sept. 1, 2015, ACTA said that it found "it discouraging that the Lufthansa Group could not find other mechanisms to absorb the 'distribution costs' of E16." The association stated that: "By passing this cost on to the agent, or forcing them to use an...
Transat Taking Club Class to the Next Level
Air Transat’s Club Class, featuring wider leather seats, personal entertainment systems and dedicated flight attendants, is getting an upgrade. Air Transat’s redesigned Club Class now includes top-of-the line cutlery, fine porcelain and linens and chef-designed menus on flights to and from Europe. Dessert, cheese and port service following the main meal are still available on all flights serving lunch and dinner. In addition, flights which depart after 10 p.m. from Canada to Europe will serve a comforting soup with a light snack so passengers can have a quick bite before getting...