Airlines
Air Canada Crew Give the ‘Gift of Home’
On Nov. 27, two Air Canada pilots along with AC crew members walked into the Maple Leaf Pub in London, England and surprised the Canadians living in London by giving away a “round” – as in roundtrip tickets back to Canada for the holidays. An Air Canada #ACgiftofhome video captures the entire experience with unsuspecting Canadians out for a night of cheer. The video launched Dec. 3 and has more than 640,000 views so far. To see the video, go...
Sunwing Airlines Finalizes Aircraft Leasing Contract
Sunwing Airlines reports a deal worth $350 million has been finalized with Air Lease Corporation to supply the carrier with two Boeing 737-800 and four 737 MAX 8 aircraft over a four-year period commencing in early 2016. The deal represents the largest single financial investment that the company has ever made to increase and upgrade its airplanes; once delivery has been taken the airline's fleet will number 22 year round aircraft. Sunwing Airlines recently became the second carrier in the world to commercially fly with Blended Winglets on its 737-800s after retrofitting its entire...
Air Canada Adding Non-Stop Delhi Service
Air Canada will begin non-stop service from Toronto to Delhi beginning in November 2015. The new route, the first to be dedicated for Air Canada's Boeing 787-9 series aircraft, will open new opportunities in the Indian subcontinent, currently the largest international market not served by Air Canada. “Air Canada's strategy to grow its Toronto Pearson hub and international presence is taking a major step forward with the addition of Delhi to our extensive global network. We will be offering the only non-stop flight from Canada to India using our newest Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which...
Passenger Traffic Maintains Strong Growth
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports global passenger traffic results for October showing a strengthening in demand growth compared to September 2014 and to the year-ago period. Total revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) rose 5.7% over October 2013, slightly ahead of the 5.2% year-on-year rise recorded in September 2014. October capacity (available seat kilometers or ASKs) increased by 5.5%, causing load factor to rise 0.1 percentage points to 79.1%. “Against a backdrop of economic weakness in some regions, October traffic results show demand for connectivity...
WestJet Celebrates the Spirit of Giving
WestJet is celebrating the release of its third annual holiday video, “WestJet Christmas Miracle: Spirit of Giving,” showing how WestJet and its now-famous Blue Santa brought a snowy Canadian Christmas to a community in the Dominican Republic. Since 2012, WestJet and Live Different – a Canadian charity that works with volunteers on development projects abroad – have built 23 homes for families living in extreme poverty in the Puerto Plata community of Nuevo Renacer, one of four destinations WestJet serves in the Dominican Republic. The airline's history with and commitment to...
Time Running Out on Qatar Airways Offer
Travel agents have until the end of today (Nov. 26) to take advantage of Qatar Airways' Double the Luxury offer. Travellers can enjoy a two-for-one offer on select destinations with the “World’s Best Business Class.” Travellers booking one Business Class ticket will receive a second Business Class ticket for free for their travelling companion (taxes and surcharges apply). The promotion ends today (Nov. 26) and is valid for travel until March 26, 2015 to select destinations across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. This offer also allows Privilege Club members (Qatar...
IATA To The Rescue
It has been a long time coming, but the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has unveiled the details of a new arrangement to help passengers impacted by airline bankruptcy. The voluntary agreement on behalf of its members flying to, from and within Europe will cover the repatriation of passengers unable to return home due to an airline ceasing operations as a result of financial failure. IATA’s director general and CEO, Tony Tyler said: “I am delighted to say that passengers left stranded in the rare and unfortunate event of an airline bankruptcy will be offered...
Back To The Drawing Board
WestJet has announced that the tentative agreement with its flight attendants was not ratified. Turnout for the vote was very strong; of the 90% voter turnout, 57% voted against the tentative agreement. Tyson Matheson, vice-president, Inflight for WestJet, commented: "We are obviously disappointed with the results of the vote. We believe we brought forward an agreement that balanced the needs of our flights attendants with those of the business. I have no doubt that we will come together to resolve the issues that led to these results. I thank our flight attendants for their voice in...