Airlines
ICELANDAIR GOES DAILY
As part of Icelandair’s 2014 enhanced schedule, the largest in the airline’s history, flights from Toronto’s Pearson International will increase from six flights per week to daily service starting in May. Daily flights from Toronto will be offered through September at which point year round service will continue with up to six flights a week. Icelandair flights depart Toronto Pearson International at 9:10 p.m. and arrive the following day in Iceland at 6:25 a.m. with the option to connect to more than 20 destinations in Europe. Returning flights depart Iceland at 5 p.m. and arrive in...
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
Air Canada has launched a new program called Air Canada Corporate Rewards that offers useful online tools to help businesses of all sizes better manage their travel, reduce costs and earn rewards to enhance travel. “The Air Canada Corporate Rewards program will make it simpler for companies of any size to track their travel investment, obtain savings and also earn rewards for flying with Air Canada. Members will be eligible to receive offers for discounts on Air Canada flights and services along with rewards such as complimentary eUpgrades, Maple Leaf Lounge access, advance seat...
MAPLE LEAF LOUNGE OPENS IN FRANKFURT
Air Canada has opened its newest International Maple Leaf Lounge at Frankfurt Airport’s Terminal 1, Departures Area B. Located at Star Alliance’s largest airport hub and Air Canada’s second largest international station, the Frankfurt 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 C. Lo of Toronto’s award-winning firm dialogue 38, Air Canada’s...
TAAG CUSTOMER SERVICE RECOGNIZED
TAAG Angola Airlines is proudly noting that it has received a three-star classification for its customer service by the authoritative Skytrax. TAAG notes that the designation puts it “on par with some of the most prestigious airlines in the world.” APG Canada is the general sales agent for TAAG in Canada and adds that all major credit cards are accepted by the airline....
ETIHAD INCREASES STAKE IN VIRGIN AUSTRALIA
Etihad Airways has confirmed its equity stake in Virgin Australia Holdings had reached 19.9%. This follows a series of on-market purchases of Virgin Australia shares over recent weeks. The Abu Dhabi-based airline now holds more than 515 million shares in its equity partner airline. At 19.9%, Etihad has reached the threshold approved by Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board in June. James Hogan, president and chief executive officer of Etihad Airways, commented, “We are delighted to have reached this milestone. It reflects our strong support for the business strategy and...
ROUGE OFF TO CANCUN
Air Canada rouge says “Buenos Dias” to Mexico starting today (Oct. 10) with flights between Toronto and Cancun six days per week. And beginning Dec. 19, rouge will operate two flights daily between Toronto and Cancun, with convenient morning and afternoon departures. Air Canada rouge’s service between Toronto and Mexico marks the next phase of its fleet and network expansion for winter 2013/14. Air Canada rouge announced earlier that it would be adding flights to Mexico, Las Vegas, Sarasota and additional Caribbean destinations, from both Toronto and Montreal...
CLIMATE CHANGE DEAL REACHED
IATA is praising the leadership of governments in reaching a landmark agreement on Climate Change at the close of the 38th Assembly of the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The agreement commits ICAO to developing a global market-based measure (MBM) that will be an essential enabler for the industry to achieve carbon-neutral growth from 2020 (CNG2020). A global MBM complements progress on improving technology, operations and infrastructure in the industry\'s long-established four-pillar strategy to manage aviation\'s climate change impact. Tony Tyler,...
A FAILING GRADE
The Business Travel Coalition (BTC) has released findings from a survey of 127 travel industry professionals from 14 countries with respect to the highly anticipated U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rulemaking regarding the disclosure of airline ancillary services fees. The overwhelming consensus is that DOT should require airlines to share ancillary fee information with distribution channels where they sell their base fares and in a format that enables the purchase of such services in the same transaction as the ticket purchase. Since major U.S. airlines in 2008 began unbundling...