Airlines
AC Opens Maple Leaf Lounge at New Heathrow Terminal 2
Air Canada has opened its latest International Maple Leaf Lounge at London Heathrow Airport’s new Terminal 2, also known as The Queen’s Terminal, Departures Area 2B. Located at Star Alliance’s largest airport hub and Air Canada’s largest international station, Air Canada’s London Heathrow Maple Leaf Lounge is a “serene, stylish oasis where eligible Air Canada and Star Alliance customers can rest, refuel or refresh before their flight in an inspiring, contemporary environment that is a celebration of Canadian design, artistry and craftsmanship.” Designed by Bennett Lo...
Jet Airways Upgrades Toronto-Brussels Flight
India’s Jet Airways is set to deploy its long haul new Boeing 777-300 aircraft on the Toronto - Brussels - Toronto route. The wide body Boeing 777-300, with its three class configuration, including the airline’s world renowned First Class service, will significantly enrich the inflight experience of Jet Airways’ guests. The airline currently operates Airbus 330-300 aircraft on this route, which was introduced on this sector in February. Effective July 1, Jet Airways will upgrade from an Airbus A300-300 to a Boeing 777-300 service six times a week following an increased demand...
Air India Gets Star Alliance Clearance
At its Chief Executive Board meeting held in London on June 23, the CEOs of the Star Alliance network unanimously approved the membership of Air India, clearing the way for the national carrier to become the first Indian airline to join a global airline alliance. The integration teams at Air India, Star Alliance and its member carriers will now complete the last necessary work in order to ensure that Air India can offer all Star Alliance customer benefits from July 11 onwards. Commenting on the decision, Jeffrey Goh, Star Alliance COO said, “We restarted the re-integration with...
Chaos in Europe as French Air Traffic Controllers Strike
Airline passengers across Europe could face hours of delays and cancellations over the next week as a six-day French air traffic control strike begins today (June 24). Airlines have been forced to cancel dozens of flights and warned of potential delays to all flights crossing French airspace. British Airways has cancelled 90 flights today because of the planned strike. Ryanair said it has cancelled 26 flights to and from France today, while Easy Jet said 28 flights had been cancelled. Airline officials said day by day decisions will be made on the need for additional...
Air France Appointment
Jean-Noël Rault will become the new vice-president and general manager of Air France KLM Canada effective July 1, succeeding Fabien Pelous, who took over the position in October 2011. Presently the director of the Customer Contact Center, Web support and social media servicing in Paris, Rault joined Air France in 1989. Over the years, his career has taken him to various destinations -- Constantine, Bucharest, Prague, Riyadh, Noumea and Abidjan -- where he has held various positions such as deputy station manager, station manager, commercial director, country manager and general...
WestJet Christmas Miracle Video Wins Cannes Award
WestJet took home some hefty hardware from Cannes last week. Celebrating the world’s best creative communications, the 2014 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity awarded WestJet, along with studio m and Mosaic, a Bronze Lions in the Cyber Lions category for the WestJet Christmas Miracle: Real Time Giving video. This is the first Cannes Lions win for WestJet. “We are proud that the WestJet brand and what it stands for is being celebrated on a global level,” said Bob Cummings (pictured), executive vice-president, sales, marketing and guest experience. “This...
It’s All About The Experience
IATA is urging aviation stakeholders to develop and use information technology (IT) to drive improvements in the passenger experience. Tony Tyler, director general and CEO of IATA, said: “We must always remember that we fly people and cargo, not planes. So our mindset has to be oriented to view things from the perspective of the customer in all that we do -- including how we design, integrate and implement IT systems.” Tyler, who was speaking at the recent Air Transport IT Summit, identified three areas where through working together and guided by global standards, opportunities...
Air Canada Makes The Move
Air Canada has moved all of its flights and operations to London Heathrow Airport Terminal 2: The Queen's Terminal. The new terminal at Heathrow will provide Air Canada's customers with an improved travel experience that includes faster customs and immigration border control upon arrival and check-in and security clearance on departure. Eligible Air Canada and Star Alliance customers will also have access to Air Canada's newest international Maple Leaf Lounge. Benjamin Smith, executive vice-president and chief commercial officer for Air Canada, said: “With over 20 daily Air Canada...