Airlines
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...
A First For Air Transat
It was all smiles at Toronto Pearson Airport earlier this week as Air Transat launched its first Toronto-Prague flight. To mark the occasion, the check-in area was decorated to showcase the architecture of the Czech capital, and a team of entertainers dressed in traditional garb were brought in to add a dash of flavour. Also on hand were Des Ryan, Air Transat’s vice-president, inflight service and catering; Vladimir Ruml, Consul General of the Czech Republic in Canada; and Ian Woods, director of aviation business development, GTAA, who wished the carrier's first passengers to the City...
Making The Connection
In this week's issue of Canadian Travel Press, Montreal editor, Mike Dunbar reports that Air Canada is to be one of the front-running airlines in an upcoming live test of the IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) initiative being piloted by US travel distribution specialist JR Technologies. The new initiative, which involves live implementation of an NDC Aggregator platform, was announced at the recent IATA AGM in Doha. ``We want to help all the players in the airline distribution value chain to wrap their arms around NDC,” explained JRT president George Khairallah, who...
Marking a milestone
It's another milestone for WestJet. The carrier has now started its first scheduled transatlantic service, with the recent launch of flights between Toronto and Dublin, Ireland, with a brief stop in St. John's, Newfoundland. Gregg Saretsky, WestJet president and CEO, commented: “It's very exciting to think that we are about to take our guests across the Atlantic Ocean for the very first time ... This represents a very significant strategic step in the growth of WestJet.” Saretsky continued: “As we've expanded our reach, grown our fleet and added new products to broaden our...
Air France Keeps Celebrating
As it continues to celebrate its 80th anniversary, Air France has introduced an “80 Years of Passion for Gastronomy” in which travel agents can win a chance to fly to Europe. The newest game is the second instalment in the three-part series of contests Air France has planned to mark its milestone anniversary, which means Canadian agents now have another chance to win a pair of tickets for Europe. Travel agents can sign up for the contest online through June 30 by answering the eligibility question about Air France and gastronomy. Afterwards, they can register each ticket they...
PED Changes Won’t Impact Most Passengers: Expedia.ca
The federal government recently announced that passengers will finally be able to use their portable electronic devices (PEDs) throughout all phases of flight and while it may be a relief for some to get that extra gadget time in, Expedia.ca found that the majority of Canadians are creatures of habit with 64% stating that this new change won’t affect their in-flight habits. For those travellers who are planning to make the most of this added device time during their travels, here is what they’ll be doing: Catch up on TV shows or watch a movie (14%) – residents of Atlantic...
Royal Brunei Updates Agent Incentive Program
APG-Canada reports that effective June 11, Royal Brunei Airlines will be paying commissions on all published fares. Royal Brunei will pay agents a 3% commission booking the airline on flights throughout their network. “Royal Brunei Airlines has a world class product and a business class service that’s been award a four-star rating from SkyTrax,” said Karl Muller, director of APG Canada. “The airline values travel agents and understands the importance of travel agents to their success. Now, travel agents can earn 3% commission on flights between Royal Brunei and London, Dubai,...
Cathay Celebrates 20 Years of Flying to Toronto
Champagne corks are certain to be popping onboard Cathay Pacific flights today (June 9) as the airline celebrates 20 years flying between Toronto and Hong Kong. On June 9, 1994 Cathay Pacific was the first airline to offer fastest same-plane service with its three times weekly B747-400 flights between Toronto and Hong Kong, with a technical stopover in Anchorage. Over 20 years the airline has increased the number of passenger flights to 10 flights weekly, now non-stop and flown by the fuel-efficient Boeing 777-300ER ultra-long haul aircraft. The airline also operates two times...