Airlines
Lufthansa Redirects Commercial Strategy
With the percentage of revenue being generated from the sale of its flight tickets “continuously decreasing,” Lufthansan Group is taking action to “redirect” its commercial strategy in order to counteract this trend. In 2015, the Lufthansa Group indicated that it expects to generate an adjusted EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) of more than EUR 1.5 billion before costs (strike-related action). Its new commercial strategy is being launched to ensure that, in the future, a greater portion of the revenue will be earned from flight operations -- the actual area of service...
Pan Am Torch Relay Takes Off to Thunder Bay
Porter Airlines transported the Pan Am flame from Toronto to Thunder Bay Saturday (May 30), on the first of four special charters for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay. Porter is the Official Canadian Airline of the Games and a signature supporter of the Toronto 2015 Torch Relays. The flame was transported in one of two Bombardier Q400 aircraft, outfitted with a customized Pan Am graphic. The graphic showcases a collection of colourful sport pictograms, representing the Games motto, “United We Play!” Porter will deliver the flame at other key points along the Torch Relay...
WestJet Flight Attendants Vote in Favour of New Agreement
WestJet reports that its flight attendants have voted in favour of a new work agreement with 81.7% of eligible flight attendants voting. A tentative agreement was negotiated between WestJet and the WestJet Flight Attendant Association Board (FAAB) – the association representing its flight attendants – and was agreed to on April 21. Voting began on May 22 and ended yesterday (May 28). Items in the ratified five-year agreement include compensation, work rules, standardized processes and a formal framework for discussion between WestJet flight attendants and the...
Air China, AC to Launch Beijing-Montreal Flights
Air China and Air Canada are preparing for the launch of non-stop flights between Beijing and Montreal that will create the first transpacific direct link between Asia and Montreal. The flights will be operated by Air China starting on Sept. 29, initially three times a week, with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and Air Canada will place its code on the flights for sale on a codeshare basis in a first phase. In the second phase, subject to requisite approvals by the relevant competition authorities, Air Canada and Air China intend to form a comprehensive revenue sharing joint venture in...
Air Canada Invests in rouge Upgrades
Air Canada has announced a number of product upgrades to benefit customers on its leisure airline, Air Canada rouge. The premium cabin in Air Canada rouge's fleet of 20 Airbus A319 aircraft will be converted by mid-June from its current 3x3 seating configuration with a blocked middle seat to two side-by-side Business Class seats in a 2x2 configuration. This new seating will provide customers with more personal space and generous legroom as well as full power charging capacity with a 110-volt power plug and a high-powered USB port at every seat. Additional customer convenience features...
WestJet’s #TartanTail Takes Flight
Later this month, WestJet will launch service from Halifax to Glasgow, Scotland, on board a special version of one of its Boeing Next-Generation 737-700 series aircraft adorned with a custom-designed WestJet tartan on its tail. To mark the occasion of its first service to the United Kingdom, WestJet worked with the world's last dedicated hand-crafted tartan mill, D.C. Dalgliesh of Selkirk, Scotland, to design a commemorative tartan in the airline's distinctive blue and teal corporate colours. In addition to producing neck ties, cufflinks and scarves, WestJet also decaled two aircraft...
AC Launches Seasonal Atlantic City Service
Air Canada marked the start of seasonal services to Atlantic City Friday (May 22), the resort city known for its beaches, boardwalks and casinos. Seasonal, four times weekly Air Canada Express flights from Toronto to Atlantic City are operated by Jazz Aviation LP with 74-seat Bombardier Q-400 aircraft on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. All Air Canada flights provide for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption and, for eligible customers, priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounge access, priority boarding and other benefits. New routes launched to date this year in addition to...
AC to Tag ‘Approved’ Carry-On Bags
Starting May 25 at Toronto-Pearson (YYZ) and expanding progressively to other airports throughout the month of June, Air Canada will have staff at both check-in and security checkpoints to quickly confirm and tag carry-on bags that meet the airline's carry-on dimensions as “approved.” According to officials, this will make it easier and safer to stow personal items on board, may help reduce wait times at security, and will help avoid flight delays caused by larger bags being checked at the gate. If a customer's carry-on baggage needs to be checked Air Canada will help with that...