Airlines
Billy Bishop passengers can now get lunch ‘To Go’
Passengers at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport can now enjoy a range of food options on sale in each lounge as the result of a new partnership between City Centre Terminal Corp., a subsidiary of Porter Aviation Holdings Inc., and To Go Foodbar, an independent café and coffee bar in Toronto. The concession stands offer an assortment of sandwiches, salads and bakery items, as well as a range of beverage options, including beer and wine. "Part of our commitment to exceptional customer service means constantly listening to our passengers, and the desire for additional food and beverage...
Lufthansa expands automatic check-in services
Lufthansa is expanding its automatic check-in service and now offering this perk on approximately 400 routes within the Schengen Area -- an area comprised of 26 European countries that operate much like a single state for international travel. The service, which already exists in Germany and Italy, has proven popular because of the time savings and convenience it offers passengers. Passengers with an existing booking are automatically checked in 23 hours prior to their departure and will receive an electronic boarding pass with their reserved seat number shortly after, which they can choose...
WestJet considers adding short haul turboprop airline
WestJet Airlines is looking at the potential of starting up a branch airline that would service short haul destinations with turboprop aircraft. The Calgary-based carrier is polling its employee groups through January to get their feedback on the proposal. If the service gets the green light, it could start operations as early as next year, with a fleet of about 40 turboprop aircraft. These would fly to smaller cities and connect into the WestJet network, which operates with a fleet of B737 jets....
Spanair shuts down
Barcelona-based Spanair suspended its operations on Jan. 28, cancelling all of its close to 650 flights and, according to reports, stranding close to 20,000 passengers. In a statement on its web site, the carrier said that it "is finalizing an agreement with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to facilitate the refund of purchased but not yet flown tickets of Spanair. This agreement will let the travel agencies refund the complete price to those passengers that paid the ticket in a travel agency by bank transfer or cash." The carrier went on to say that "all other passengers...
YVR maps out 10-year airport strategy
Vancouver Airport Authority has unveiled a 10-year strategy outlining $1.8 billion in improvements designed to keep Vancouver International Airport (YVR) competitive and an economic generator for British Columbia. "YVR is facing increasing competition from other airports; both travellers and airlines have choices,"said Larry Berg, president and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. "In order to remain competitive and an airport that British Columbia can be proud of, we must continue to invest in projects that make it easier and faster for passengers and their baggage to move through the...
Porter increases New York service
Porter Airlines is enhancing its New York service with two additional daily flights and a more convenient schedule. This increases daily roundtrip departures between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport to as many as 13 flights, and provides a wider range of morning, afternoon and evening departures for passengers. The first new flight starts March 26, with a second flight beginning on April 16, and additional weekend options as of March 25....
WestJet adds LaGuardia lift
WestJet has released details of its service to New York's LaGuardia airport. In November, the carrier successfully bid for eight slot pairs, and beginning June 4 it will launch seven non-stop flights each business day between Toronto and New York City. On July 12, WestJet will increase to eight non-stop flights each business day. John MacLeod, vice-president, network management and alliances for WestJet, said, "This is another significant milestone for WestJet. Toronto to New York is the largest trans-border market from Canada, and this new non-stop service, offered on our Boeing 737 Next...
Finnair back in Toronto
Finnair will reintroduce scheduled flights between Toronto and Helsinki this spring. The flights will also offer connections to over 50 destinations in Europe and 10 destinations in Asia. The non-stop flight between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Helsinki Airport will fly five days a week beginning May 24, 2012. Finnair is also offering spring round-trip fares starting from CDN$965 from Toronto to Helsiniki, and these are valid for travel May 1 to June 25, 2012. Other destinations include Copenhagen, Stockholm, Moscow, Prague, Warsaw, Budapest, Bangkok, Seoul, Delhi, Hong Kong, and...