Airlines
Southwest Unveils New Look
Southwest Airlines introduced a modern new look to its brand yesterday at an event dedicated to its employees. The airline unveiled a new aircraft livery, named Heart One, airport experience, and logo. The new look “puts the airline’s Heart on display, showcasing the strength of the nearly 46,000 employees company wide.” “Our collective heartbeat is stronger and healthier than ever, and that’s because of the warmth, the compassion, and the smiles of our people,” said Southwest president and CEO Gary Kelly. “The Heart emblazoned on our aircraft, and within our new look,...
US Stats Confirm A New Transborder Reality
In this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press, Montreal editor, Mike Dunbar reports that according to data just released by the Department of Commerce in Washington DC, Air Canada operated 2,887 flights between Canada and the United States in April 2013 but that number had plummeted 35.3% to just 1,867 in the same month this year. Biggest beneficiary was Toronto Island Airport-based Sky Regional, which upped its monthly operation from a mere 43 trans-border flights to 1,095 year-over-year. That was a massive 2446.5% increase, which prompted an International Trade...
Air Canada Has A Month To Remember
Air Canada has reported a record system load factor of 89.8% for the month of August, versus 89.5% in August 2013, an all-time record for any month in the corporation's history, representing an increase of 0.3 percentage points on a system-wide capacity increase of 10.4%. On this additional capacity, system wide traffic for August increased 10.8%. Air Canada reports traffic results on a system-wide basis, including Air Canada rouge, which began operations on July 1, 2013, and regional airlines from which Air Canada purchases capacity. “I am extremely pleased to report a record...
An Unacceptable Situation
Calling the timing “unacceptable” and the situation “incomprehensible,” Lufthansa said on Friday that it “deeply regrets that the Vereinigung Cockpit pilots’ union has not refrained from causing massive disruption to flight operations in the peak holiday period.” Lufthansa noted that the strike comes at the end of the school holidays in Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate and in its view, is being taken “in order to push through its [the union's] own interests. Strike action had previously severely restricted flight operations at Lufthansa’s subsidiary Germanwings for six...
United Takes Delivery of First 787-9 Aircraft
United Airlines has become the first North American carrier to take delivery of the Boeing 787-9, a stretched version of the Dreamliner that will allow the airline to accommodate more customers. The aircraft is the first of 26 of the newest member of the Dreamliner family United has on order. “The 787-9 builds on the Dreamliner's fuel efficiency and customer comfort while giving us even more flexibility and range,” said United vice-president Ron Baur. “Last year our customers gave the 787 the highest customer satisfaction scores of any aircraft in our fleet, and we know...
Air Travellers Demand Fare Transparency
A new survey of more than 1,000 air travellers found overwhelming support for a proposed U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rule requiring airlines to share their fees for baggage and seat assignments with travel agents and travel web sites, with 88% saying that requirement was “very” or “extremely” important. By a broad 71% to 13% margin, consumers also said the rule should be strengthened to require airlines to sell their basic ancillary fees wherever they sell their tickets. Conducted by Open Allies for Airfare Transparency in co-ordination with Travelers United...
Virgin Grounds Vancouver Service
Building on a two-year recovery plan, Virgin Atlantic has announced plans to update its network, which includes grounding its Vancouver service. In a statement, Virgin said summer seasonal service from London Heathrow to Vancouver will not return after this season’s flying program ends on Oct. 11. Officials also noted that if in the future Heathrow gains its “long overdue” expansion, Virgin Atlantic would love to re-enter the Vancouver...
Air Transat Unveils New Eco Fares
Air Transat has introduced new Eco Fares, offering “flexibility and worry-free vacations” to Economy Class passengers. The three new Eco Fares offer varying conditions for flight changes or cancellation, allowing passengers to modify their travel dates or even cancel their trip if necessary. Eco Fares are now available for all Air Transat flights. “Because each vacation is unique, we’re pleased to provide vacationers with more choices with the introduction of our new Eco Fares,” says Air Transat general manager Jean-François Lemay. “Travellers were already able to...