Airlines
HAC alarmed by cross-border air purchases
An increasing -- and disturbing -- number of Canadians continue to travel to the United States to purchase their airline tickets. In its 2012 Canadian Travel Intentions Survey, the Hotel Association of Canada's (HAC) reports that 15% of Canadians surveyed said they'd travelled to the U.S. to buy cheaper airline tickets in 2011, with the bulk of those (21%) coming from Ontario and British Columbia (19%). Most (23%) were in the 35 to 44 age bracket. But perhaps more alarmingly, HAC found that a further 33% of those questioned said that they plan to cross the border to shop for cheaper airfares...
Air Canada launches the Air Canada Foundation
In celebration of its 75 years of community involvement, Air Canada has launched the Air Canada Foundation, a not-for-profit organization focused on the health and well-being of children in need. "Throughout its history, Air Canada has recognized the importance of giving back to the communities it serves in Canada and abroad,"said Air Canada president and CEO Calin Rovinescu. "The creation of a foundation is the natural evolution for our community investment efforts of the past seventy-five years, and brings together all our various initiatives under one banner. Ever mindful that there are...
AC’s Calgary-Tokyo Narita flights now year-round
Air Canada has announced that its Calgary to Tokyo Narita non-stop flights will operate year-round beginning this winter. "Since we launched this route in March 2010, demand has been strong from business and leisure travellers as well as freight forwarders. This is a great example of how the Calgary business community, the Calgary Airport Authority, Travel Alberta and our travel partners understand that our industry is a significant catalyst for economic growth and have all come together to enable sustainable, year-round, direct links to Asia via Tokyo Narita's international gateway which...
WestJet sets new single-day record
WestJet flew 52,992 guests Sunday, setting a new single-day record for the airline. The previous record, set on Dec. 22, 2011, saw 52,397 guests fly across the airline's network. The new single-day record follows a busy week for travel, which saw students at many Canadian post-secondary institutions head out for mid-term break. In provinces with a Family Day holiday, families took the week off to enjoy a warm-weather vacation. On average, WestJet flies approximately 40,000 guests on 425 flights per day....
Lufthansa back at ITB
After a three-year hiatus, Lufthansa will once again be present with its own booth at the ITB international tourism fair in Berlin, March 7-11. At its newly designed area in Hall 25, the airline will display its current business and leisure travel offerings, as well as new ground and in-flight products, to trade guests and the general public. Lufthansa's latest seat offerings will also be on exhibit, including the new Business Class seat, which will be unveiled to the public for the very first time. "Our participation in the world's largest tourism fair not only reflects our strong commitment...
Cathay takes delivery of new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft
Cathay Pacific Airways has taken delivery of a new Boeing 777-300ER that is the first aircraft to feature its Premium Economy Class product and new long-haul Economy Class seats. The aircraft - the airline's 25th 777-300ER - arrived at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (Feb. 26). At the same, the airline also received its fifth Boeing 747-8F from the manufacturer. As well as introducing a totally new seat and entertainment system, Cathay has designed the entire customer experience to be more special for its new Premium Economy Class passengers. The experience features a quieter, more...
BAR Canada applauds BC initiative
The Board of Airlines Representatives in Canada (BAR Canada) applauded the BC government's move to eliminate its jet fuel tax. The tax, scheduled to be retired on April 1, added a two-cent levy per litre of jet fuel on international flights. The absence of the tax will make BC airports, particularly Vancouver, more competitive with airports in Alberta, Washington State, Alaska and California, which have no such tax. "The elimination of the fuel tax will make carriers more competitive in the marketplace by decreasing costs up to $16 million annually. It lays the groundwork for increased air...
WestJet offers leap year special
In celebration of its 16th birthday this month, WestJet is offering guests born on Feb. 29 of any year the chance to fly to any of WestJet's Canadian destinations for just $16 one way, plus applicable taxes and fees, on Feb. 29. WestJet shares its birthday with Leap Day babies, having launched on Feb. 29, 1996, with three aircraft, 220 employees and five destinations -- all in Western Canada. Sixteen years later, the airline has grown to 98 aircraft, 8,600 WestJetters and 76 destinations throughout Canada, the US, Mexico and the Caribbean. To take advantage of this birthday offer, those born...