Airlines
WestJet, Sabre get deal done
WestJet and Sabre have stepped back from the brink. The two companies announced that they “have reached the basis of an agreement” that will allow Sabre-connected agents to continue to have access to WestJet fare content in the Sabre travel marketplace. In making the announcement, WestJet noted that in appreciation for continuing support by travel agents, it’s offering an additional two-percentage point increase on base commissions for new bookings beginning Jan. 26, through to Feb. 28,...
JetBlue, Etihad team up
JetBlue Airways and Etihad Airways have announced plans to begin codeshare operations. The agreement, which is subject to government approval, will see Etihad Airways place its “EY” code on JetBlue-operated flights, initially facilitating connections between the two airlines at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Washington’s Dulles International Airport. In the first stage of the partnership, Etihad will codeshare on 40 JetBlue routes within the US. Further codeshare services are planned on JetBlue flights once Etihad commences daily flights to Los Angeles...
AC pension plan in a surplus position
Air Canada has provided an update regarding its Canadian pension plans solvency status and based on preliminary estimates projects its Canadian registered pension plans at Jan. 1 to be in a small surplus position. The Canadian registered pension plans solvency deficit at Jan. 1, 2013 was $3.7 billion. Final valuations as of Jan. 1, 2014 will be completed in the first half of 2014. The elimination of the previous $3.7 billion deficit is the result of several factors: (1) a 13.8% return on investments during 2013, (2) the implementation of previously disclosed pension benefit...
IATA, Open Allies find common ground
IATA and Open Allies for Airfare Transparency (Open Allies) have filed a joint motion with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) concerning IATA’s Resolution 787, the foundation document for the New Distribution Capability (NDC). The motion offers conditions that IATA and Open Allies recommend be included in what IATA is hopeful will be a timely approval of Resolution 787. The conditions to which both organizations agreed are intended to add clarity to the letter and spirit of Resolution 787. Open Allies has agreed to withdraw its opposition to Resolution 787 subject...
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...