Airlines
EVA Air increases Toronto, Vancouver service
Starting in June, EVA Air will increase North American service from 45 flights per week to 55, boosting frequency to Toronto and Montreal, as well as Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. By adding 22% more flights, EVA, a Star Alliance member, will also expand capacity, offer passengers greater convenience and provide more flights between North America and Taiwan than any other airline. The average load on EVA’s North America flights surpassed 80% in 2013 and company officials expect bookings to keep climbing in 2014. It will accommodate this growth and the added frequency by...
KLM crazy about its new business class
A select audience of Canadian travel agents and tour operators got a peak at KLM’s new World Business Class on its Boeing 747 fleet at Toronto airport yesterday. The group first dined on the new business class menu, designed by Michelin-awarded chefs; saw a presentation on the new enhanced service, which was introduced last summer and made its debut on Canadian routes last November; and then visited a plane to see the new décor, 17-inch TV screens and 180-degree flat-bed seats in person. KLM flies daily from Toronto to Amsterdam during the winter with the new business class...
WestJet spreads its wings
WestJet has unveiled details of its most comprehensive schedule release since the airline took to the skies in 1996. As part of the 2014 summer schedule, the airline will be adding five new routes, increasing frequency on 20 existing routes across the network, while five seasonal routes move to year-round service. After successfully launching its operations in Western Canada, WestJet Encore will be moving east to start service in Toronto with flights between Toronto and Thunder Bay. WestJet Encore will also offer service between Thunder Bay and Winnipeg. John Weatherill, WestJet’s...
EVA Air moves to Pearson’s Terminal 1
EVA Air has relocated its operations at Toronto Pearson International Airport and moved from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 where other Star Alliance members are located. EVA check-in counters are in the international area and open four hours before scheduled departure time. EVA’s Royal Laurel Class passengers and those who have earned Gold or Diamond status in its Infinity MileageLands frequent flyer program can relax in The Plaza Premium Lounge. The airline serves Toronto with Boeing 777s configured with the Royal Laurel Class top cabin, Elite premium economy and Economy. EVA is...
Etihad to double flights to New York
Etihad Airways will double its flights between Abu Dhabi and New York City, introducing a second daily service on March 1. The new flights will complement the airline’s current 10:30 a.m. departure to New York, and passengers travelling from New York to Abu Dhabi and beyond will now have the option of a late morning flight as well as the current 9:40 p.m. departure. Initially, the new flights will be operated by Etihad Airways using two tri-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft leased from its strategic partner, India’s Jet Airways. From May 1, Jet Airways will operate these...
WestJet welcomes GTAA review
WestJet has announced support for a review of the recent disruptions that occurred at Pearson International Airport. The review will be conducted by an ad hoc committee of the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) board of directors. WestJet looks forward to participating in the process as it moves forward. “Toronto Pearson is WestJet’s second busiest airport with more than 83 flights departing daily to 52 destinations and we look forward to participating in the process,” said Fred Cleveland, WestJet’s executive vice-president of operations. “Improving guest experience,...
Allegiant goes paperless
Allegiant is now offering its passengers paperless mobile boarding pass capability at all 101 airports it serves. No matter where they are travelling, Allegiant passengers will now have the option to avoid ticket counter lines by checking-in for their flight and receiving their boarding passes directly on their mobile device. While some major airports and large carriers have previously introduced mobile boarding pass technology at their airport security checkpoints, Allegiant has worked with many small- to mid-size airports throughout its system to introduce mobile boarding pass...
Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines partner with Amadeus
Lufthansa and Amadeus have announced a new agreement that will see the airline sell advance seat reservation as an ancillary product in the travel agency channel using Amadeus Airline Ancillary Services. The agreement, which also applies to Lufthansa’s subsidiary Austrian Airlines, Austria’s flag carrier, means that travel agents using Amadeus in 63 markets worldwide will be able to book advance seat reservations in Economy Class for travellers flying on domestic and European routes. Additionally, passengers will be able to purchase seats offering extra leg room both on...