Airlines
It’s That Time Of The Year Again
It's that time of the year again … hard to believe, isn't it … yep, Christmas … and in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press, we've decorated our front cover to celebrate this festive time … not to mention send out a message to all of our loyal readers – Merry Christmas to one and all. Plus because it's Christmas, we've also asked some of readers to tell us about their favourite cuisine and what destinations they recommend to clients looking for a culinary experience. Check out their answers in this week's Ask The Agent feature by clicking here. And...
Transat Direct to Havana
Air Transat will begin offering direct flights from Toronto to Havana, Cuba, starting Dec. 22 and operating March 30, 2015. Travellers wishing to stay in the Cuban capital, known for its architecture, will be able to choose one of several packages offered by Transat Holidays and Nolitours. Available hotels include the Iberostar Parque Central and the Tryp Habana Libre, a new addition to Transat’s offering. For those wanting to explore further, Havana can also be a point of departure for discovering other parts of the island, or to embark, directly from the airport, on a...
AC rouge Non-Stop to Honolulu
With cold winter winds and snow hitting much of Eastern Canada, Air Canada rouge launched Canada's only non-stop service between Toronto and Honolulu, Hawaii, on Wednesday (Dec. 10). The seasonal service operates twice weekly on a Boeing 767-300 aircraft with 280 seats offering three choices of seating comfort. Customers on the inaugural flight were treated to a ribbon cutting ceremony before departing, gift bags and a host of onboard treats and celebratory...
In Search of Santa
The tradition continues for Air Transat and the Children's Wish Foundation, who are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their partnership. Again this year, hundreds of children and their family members took off (Wednesday) for the North Pole on a very special mission to find Santa and bring him back to Montreal. In addition to this special event, Air Transat turned over $221,000 to the Foundation from the money collected as part of the carrier’s Small Change, Big Hearts program. The adventure began in the morning when the 250 guests were handed their boarding passes at the Air...
Airline Profitability Improves With Falling Oil Prices
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is predicting improved industry profitability in its Economic Performance of the Air Transport Industry report, with airlines expected to post a collective global net profit in 2014 of $19.9 billion (up from the $18 billion projected in June) and $25 billion in 2015. Lower oil prices and stronger worldwide GDP growth are the main drivers behind the improved profitability. According to IATA, consumers will benefit substantially from the stronger industry performance as lower industry costs and efficiencies are passed through. The...
Business Is Brisk
Air Canada Vacations (ACV) president Eamonn Ferrin is citing long-used counsel when advising agents on what to tell clients wanting to flee winter weather, reports Ian Stalker in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. Ferrin told a Toronto gathering last week that booking patterns are shaped by many factors and “will always vary,” but his tour operator is enjoying brisk business for the latter half of December and that should be a caution for those who are hesitant when it comes to booking winter travel. “The key message... is book early to avoid disappointment...,”...
Porter Offers Vermont Ski, Snowboard Packages
Porter Airlines flights between Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport and Vermont's Burlington International Airport begin on Dec. 14, and travellers from Toronto can now purchase ski and snowboard packages through Porter Escapes. Five Vermont ski resorts have partnered with Porter to provide customers with an attractive winter getaway to the Green Mountain State. “Vermont ski and snowboard resorts benefit greatly from this renewed airline service,” said Parker Riehle, Ski Vermont president. “With up to four flights a week, enthusiastic skiers and riders in Toronto can now easily...
Strategic Enhancements
Air Canada has introduced strategic enhancements to its North American route network with the addition of new non-stop services from Calgary-Terrace; Calgary-Nanaimo; Vancouver-Comox; Toronto-Austin and Montreal-Mexico City. The airline is also increasing capacity on key domestic markets that have high volumes of leisure traffic with the expansion of Air Canada rouge to operate the airline's new seasonal Calgary-Halifax route and current Toronto-Kelowna and Toronto-Sydney, NS services. New services are now available for purchase at http://www.aircanada.com . “Air Canada continues...