Airlines
Getting Down To Business
In this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press, the theme seems to be all about opportunities that are out there just waiting for travel agents to take advantage of. Selling affluent travellers trips to the Cayman Islands. Making sure that customers actually take advantage of the holiday time they have and go on vacation. And for the travel management companies out there, it's all about the opportunities that will present themselves as a result of a new partnership between Air Canada and Concur. Affluent opportunities It's time to start living the good life in the...
Air Canada Expands Intro of New Business Class
Air Canada reports that along with the addition of two new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to its widebody fleet, it will expand the introduction of its new International Business Class product to include all Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, seven more than previously announced. It will also reconfigure the aircraft to include its new Premium Economy cabin. Air Canada's three-cabin international product and seating standard will therefore be extended to all 25 of the carrier's Boeing 777-300ER and 777-200LR aircraft consistent with seating on its new Boeing 787-8 and -9 Dreamliner fleet. The...
WestJet Updates Ongoing Phone Scam
WestJet has provided further information regarding the ongoing telephone scam that has plagued WestJet and other prominent Canadian brands while frustrating thousands of Canadians from coast to coast. According to officials, for several years, unscrupulous telemarketers purporting to be from WestJet and other Canadian companies have called random telephone numbers across the country in an effort to sell potentially questionable holiday packages to Mexico. They spoof the real number they are calling from with a more familiar phone number from local area codes to increase the likelihood...
Picking The Winners
At this year's World Travel Market in London, Air Canada received a World Travel Leaders Award. Formerly the WTM Global Awards, these awards recognize those individuals and organization that have contributed the most to the global travel and tourism industry over the lifetime of the World Travel Market (35 years). The 12 awards are shortlisted by WTM’s leading media partners, with the winners chosen by an elite judging panel comprising of senior industry leaders. From Canada, this year's winner -- as nominated by Canadian Travel Press – was Air Canada. And Andrew Edmonds,...
Strong Passenger Growth Continues: IATA
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports global passenger traffic results for September showing demand growth of 5.3% (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) over September 2013. This continues the positive growth trend for passenger demand even though the performance was slightly below the August year-over-year rise of 6.3%. September capacity rose 5.1% and load factor rose 0.2 percentage points to 80.3%. “Overall, demand for passenger travel is growing in line with expectations. We saw, however, some shifting of the sources of that growth in...
Taking Stock
In this week's digital edition of Travel Courier, Mike Dunbar reports that the world’s airlines will have to improve their bottom line results if they’re going to attract the investment that’s going to be required to buy the aircraft needed to meet the demands of an exploding air travel market. 2014 marks the first century of commercial aviation. From a flying boat carrying a single passenger from St. Pete to Tampa in January 1914, the industry has evolved into a global giant carrying 3.3 billion travellers on almost 100,000 flights a day across 50,000 separate routes this...
Above and Beyond Takes Flight
WestJet has unveiled a new platform celebrating Canadians who go above and beyond in their daily lives to inspire us. The true stories of people who make a difference in the lives of others will be featured on aboveandbeyond.ca. “People who go above and beyond are inspiring,” said Lauri Feser, WestJet vice-president, Marketing. “They make a difference in the lives of everyone who crosses their path. As a company known for its caring culture – something that is built into our DNA – we want to share and celebrate these stories because these are the people who inspire us to be...
Air France-KLM Add Vancouver, Edmonton Services
Beginning May 5, 2015, KLM will offer three weekly flights between Amsterdam and Edmonton. And, starting June 22, there will be four weekly frequencies. Flights will be operated by Airbus A330-200 with 243 seats – 30 in World Business Class, 35 in Economy Comfort Zone (offering 10 inches of additional legroom and a doubled seat recline) and 178 in Economy. This service will be in addition to daily flights to Calgary. From May 5 to June 21, 2015, flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Starting June 22, flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and...