Airlines
WestJet Adds Houston to Flight Network
WestJet has introduced two new destinations – Houston, Texas and Gander, Newfoundland – as part of its 2015 summer schedule release. “We know that 2015 will be driven by competition on every level, and we are ready,” said Bob Cummings, WestJet executive vice-president, Sales, Marketing and Guest Experience. “Houston and Gander will connect more people, more often, to established and emerging energy markets, and we continue to improve service for our growing number of business travellers. WestJet resumes service to Dublin and launches service to Glasgow this spring as we...
WestJet Expands Halifax Service
WestJet is expanding its service from Halifax Stanfield International Airport with the release of its 2015 summer schedule, making official – WestJet Encore is now serving Canadians coast to coast. “Halifax is at the core of our service increase across Atlantic Canada, now marking WestJet Encore’s presence from coast to coast,” said Ferio Pugliese, president, WestJet Encore. “Within two years of the launch of WestJet Encore, and with the support of our guests and the hard work of WestJetters across the country, we will have grown from two aircraft serving five cities in...
‘Pack & Go’ With KLM
As part of its “Pack & Go” promotion, KLM is offering economy class tickets starting at $899 for departures from Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and, for a $50 supplement, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. The promotion runs until Feb. 5 and applies to trips with departures between May 7 and June 18 and between Sept. 11 and Oct. 15. Fares include a free stopover in Amsterdam either on the outbound or the return segment of the trip. The fares as advertised include all surcharges and...
DOT Rules on Flying With Musical Instruments
US airlines must accept musical instruments as carry-on or checked baggage on commercial passenger flights, when certain conditions are met, according to a new rule implemented by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). On Dec. 30, the DOT issued a final rule to implement section 403 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. The rule, which takes effect on March 6, requires carriers to accept musical instruments in the cargo compartment as checked baggage if those instruments comply with the size and weight limitations provided in Section 403 and the FAA’s safety...
Making It New
Alitalia is reinventing itself. The carrier unveiled its new strategy which it said comes with “an unequivocal commitment by the new executive team and strategic investors to reinvent the airline.” The carrier will introduce new routes, new product and service standards, a new cost management strategy and new branding, as the foundations to build a premium global airline representing the best of Italy. The new Alitalia began its operations on Jan. 1, 2015, following the completion of equity investments by Etihad Airways and Alitalia’s existing shareholders. The new...
LOT Winter Promotion
Tickets to select European cities within LOT Polish Airline’s network can now be purchased at up to 43% off the regular price. The winter promotion is available until Jan. 18 for travel between Feb. 7 and April 30 at any of 16 cities in Europe. These special fares are available on the GDS or by visiting http://www.lottravelagents.com . Destinations include Toronto to Warsaw, Gdansk, Szczecin, Poznan, Wroclaw, Katowice, Krakow, Rzeszow, Tallinn, Vilnius, Odessa, Riga, Prague, Bucharest, Sofia and St....
Agreement Reached
Air Canada and Jazz Aviation have reached an agreement on an amended and extended capacity purchase agreement (CPA) which provides for “significant cost reductions for both parties, strengthens the relationship and better aligns their interests over the long term.” The new CPA is subject to a number of terms and conditions, including the ratification of a new tentative agreement reached between Jazz and its pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association and approvals by the respective boards. “Our restructured capacity purchase agreement with Jazz represents another...
WestJet Confirms Rumour of Hijacking False
WestJet confirmed that a rumour that WestJet flight 2154 from Vancouver to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, was hijacked Saturday is completely false. The rumour stemmed from a tweet by a flight-tracking web site that the aircraft operating the flight was transmitting a hijack code via its transponders. However, WestJet has no evidence that such a code was ever transmitted. Both the flight crew and local air traffic control confirmed that no such code was ever sent or received, and testing on the aircraft's transponder showed it was functionally normally. The aircraft arrived in Puerto...