Airlines
Air China ramps up frequencies
Air China is the latest of the Asian carriers that serve Vancouver to roll out an increase in services. Last week, Air China announced it will increase the number of scheduled flights operating between Vancouver and Beijing from seven flights per week to 11. Air China is ChinaÆs national airline and official flag carrier. The new flights (CA998) are scheduled to start on May 17, and are in addition to the once-daily flights already on the Air China sked. Flight CA 998 will depart Vancouver on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at 10:00 a.m., arriving at Beijing Capital Airport at...
China Airlines has refitted B747-400 on YVR route
Travellers to Asia can now give consideration to the newly retrofitted B747-400 aircraft operated by China Airlines between Taipei and Vancouver when deciding which carrier to book. The aircraft, assigned to the route for the rest of the winter season, showcases new cabin designs in both the economy and first class sections. More ergonomic seats have been introduced in both cabins, with business class passengers on deck to enjoy a 160-degree recline capability, electric lumbar supports, LED reading lamps, lots of storage, AC and USB ports, and a 15.4-inch screen as part of a "sky...
BTC has concerns with AA-US Airways merger
The Business Travel Coalition (BTC) has responded with concern regarding the news of board approvals of an US$11 billion proposal from American Airlines' parent AMR Corporation and US Airways Group Inc. to merge their third and fifth largest US airlines respectively. The transaction would create the world's largest carrier by passenger traffic and would require various approvals from the U.S. Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Transportation (DOT) as well the EC's DG COMP. If governmental analyses don't force a regulatory tarmac delay, then decisions could be expected in some four to six...
IATA applauds noise reduction initiatives
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomes the agreement on a new noise standard with more stringent requirements for future aircraft achieved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The ICAO Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) comprising ICAO member states, industry, and environmental non-governmental organizations, reviewed technological feasibility, environmental benefits and economic factors and reached a consensus to move forward on a new standard that will result in a reduction of 7 Effective Perceived Noise Decibels (EPNdB) compared...
Canadians continue to go south for cheap air tickets
It's a trend that's gaining increasing momentum as Canadians continue to head south of the border in search of cheap air tickets. In its newly released 2013 Canadian Travel Intentions survey, the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) found that 18% of those surveyed had travelled to the US to buy cheaper airline tickets in 2012-- an increase of 3% over the previous year -- and 32% of those questioned indicated they would do it in 2013. An alarming 61% of respondents said they knew people who travelled to the US in 2012 to purchase cheaper airline tickets. HAC reports that the highest number of...
The New American, now a reality
Seems a bit poetic that the long-rumoured merger of American Airlines and US Airways would see the two companies officially tie the knot on Valentines Day. Well that's the way it has worked out as American and US Airways officially announced that both of their boards have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which the companies will combine "to create a premier global carrier" that will have an implied combined equity value of approximately $11 billion based on the price of US Airways' stock as of Feb. 13, 2013. The new airline will operated under the American Airlines...
Air Canada expands Lowest Price Guarantee
Air Canada is expanding its Lowest Price Guarantee to give customers added assurance they are getting the lowest price available online within a 24-hour period when they book flights on Air Canada. The guarantee applies to any destination Air Canada serves for tickets bought in Canada on aircanada.com. "Air Canada's new Lowest Price Guarantee means customers can be certain they will always get the best price for their Air Canada flight at aircanada.com. With the proliferation of travel web sites the market can be confusing, so to make it easy for customers and give them confidence they are...
World’s first A380 facility open for business
Emirates and Dubai Airports have announced the successful completion of the phased launch of Concourse A - the home of the A380 and the world's first purpose-built facility for the aircraft at Dubai International. All 20 A380 capable contact gates and Emirates luxurious First Class and Business Class lounges, which comprise 29,000 square metres of the facility, are now fully operational after a five-week-long phase-in period. During the first month of operations following its inaugural flight on Jan. 2, Concourse A has handled 461,972 pieces of luggage carried on more than 2,450 flights...