Airlines
WestJet, Flight Attendants Reach Agreement
WestJet has reached a tentative agreement with WestJet's Flight Attendant Association Board (FAAB). The proposed agreement is available to WestJet flight attendants for review beginning Oct. 31 and voting begins Nov. 10. “Our goal throughout the process was to offer a tremendously fair and balanced agreement for everyone involved,” said Anthony Pascale, FAAB chair. “From the beginning, our focus has been on the interests of our people, and on building a sustainable process that allows us to move forward together. I firmly believe this focus has resulted in an industry-leading...
Call For Transparency
WestJet is calling for “transparent and all-inclusive vacation pricing” in Canada, reports managing editor, Michael Baginski in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. Noting that the Canadian Transportation Agency now requires “all-in-advertising” for airlines – that is, prices that include taxes and fees -- WestJet says the rules should apply to tour operators too, including OTAs. At the heart of the issue is lack of consistency in pricing that “varies by tour operator” and disadvantages wholesalers that do apply all-in pricing to their...
WestJet Adds More Phoenix, South Okanagan
WestJet has launched new daily non-stop service between Toronto and Phoenix, Arizona. “Already a popular destination from Western Canada, we are delighted to offer even more non-stop service to the Valley of the Sun,” said Chris Avery, WestJet vice-president, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development. “With hundreds of golf courses, countless world-class conference and convention facilities, and of course the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Arizona is a must for Canadians looking to escape the winter cold.” WestJet has also launched...
Air France, KLM Release Winter Schedules
Air France and KLM have unveiled their schedule for flights to and from Canada for the winter season, which will run from Oct. 26 to March 28, 2015. Air France will offer continue to offer two daily flights between Montreal and Paris, and one flight a day out of Toronto. Air France’s Boeing 747-400s are configured with two seat classes: Economy and Business. The Airbus A340-300s are similarly configured, but also feature the airline's intermediate Premium Economy class. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will fly once daily from Montreal and Toronto, six times weekly out of Calgary and...
Eight Years Flies By for Porter
Porter Airlines is celebrating eight years of service. From its home base at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Porter serves a total of 20 destinations in Canada and the US with a network currently stretching from Thunder Bay, Ont., and Chicago in the west, to St. John’s, NL, in the east, and as far south as Myrtle Beach, SC. Features such as airport lounge access for all passengers, complimentary wine and beer onboard, and stylish employee uniforms have helped create an enjoyable travel experience recognized around the world. “It’s rewarding being able to provide our...
United, Hertz Exclusive
United Airlines is expanding its partnership with Hertz to offer elevated travel benefits to members of the airline's MileagePlus loyalty program, as Hertz and its Dollar and Thrifty brands become United's exclusive car rental partners beginning Nov. 1. Special perks are also in store for MileagePlus Club and Presidential Plus Card members. MileagePlus members who book with Hertz may earn the following per rental: 1,250 miles - MileagePlus Global Services, Premier 1K and Premier Platinum members; 1,000 miles - MileagePlus Premier Gold and Premier Silver members; 750 miles -...
Canadians Shuffling Off To, And From, Buffalo
More than two million Canadians a year are already flying out of Buffalo, but it's a number, and market, that Buffalo officials think can be higher. A delegation of Buffalo tourism officials were in Toronto yesterday (Oct. 21) to promote the affordability and convenience of flying out of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. “Southern Ontarians have to bear some of the highest travel costs in the country,” noted Pascal Cohen, senior manager of Marketing & Aviation Business Development at Buffalo Niagara International Airport. “We are here to offer an attractive...
DHS Ramps Up Screening
The US Department of Homeland Security has implemented additional screening measures for travellers flying into the United States from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea – the three West African countries affected by the ebola virus. Two weeks ago, DHS – working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – introduced enhanced screening measures at New York's JFK, Newark, Dulles, Atlanta and Chicago that required passengers on flights originating in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea to undergo secondary screening and added protocols that included having their temperature taken,...