Airlines

WestJet, Air France partnership launched

WestJet and Air France have announced that they've entered into a code-share agreement that allows Air France to offer its customers 10 new Canadian destinations operated by WestJet. The "AF" code is now on select WestJet flights connecting from Toronto to Vancouver, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Quebec City, Saint-John's, Moncton and Halifax. Winnipeg and Calgary flights also bear the French carrier's code for both Toronto and Montreal connections to Air France's direct flights to Paris. Reservations for travel from March 12 can now be booked online via the airline's...

AC posts record February numbers

Air Canada reported a record system load factor of 79.8% for February 2013, compared to 76.8% in February 2012 -- an increase of 3.0 percentage points. System traffic decreased 0.7% on a system-wide capacity decrease of 4.4%. (Air Canada reports traffic results on a system-wide basis, including regional airlines from which Air Canada purchases capacity). Calin Rovinescu, president and CEO of Air Canada, observed, "I am pleased to report a record load factor of 79.8% for the month of February. The difference in capacity and traffic from the previous year is attributed almost entirely to the...

WATCH THIS VIDEO: Air New Zealand ‘Bears All’

What can you say about Air New Zealand -- it makes inflight safety videos like nobody else. Now the carrier has released never before seen footage of the making of its ground breaking in-flight safety video Bear Essentials of Safety, featuring celebrity adventurer Bear Grylls, and which was filmed entirely in the outdoors on New Zealand's world-renowned Routeburn Track. The Bear Essentials of Safety video, which was released last week and is rapidly approaching 3 million views globally - it has already been watched by more than 2 million people on YouTube, with more than 750,000 views on the...

Rise in passenger demand continues: IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released global air travel demand statistics for January showing a continuation of the uptick in passenger travel that began at the end of 2012. Overall, demand was up 2.7% on the previous January, which is slightly ahead of the 2.2% expansion in capacity. Load factors stood at 77.1%. Strong demand for air travel driven by the Chinese New Year has distorted the January figures. Chinese New Year fell in January 2012 and in February this year. The comparisons to such a strong month made January 2013 demand look weaker than the underlying...

WestJet lowering carry-on baggage allowance

WestJet is updating the number of carry-on pieces guests are permitted to bring on board to one from two, plus one personal item, effective April 4. The carry-on item (ie. A suitcase, backpack or bag) must be no larger than 21 inches by nine inches by 15 inches and it must fit in the WestJet sizing devices located in airports across the network. If it does not fit, it must be checked at the boarding gate and picked up upon arrival at the baggage carousel. Personal items include small purses, laptop bags or mobility or child restraint devices. For parents travelling with infants, a diaper bag...

Canadians now have access to all-inclusive air prices

WestJet, Air Canada, Porter, Air Transat, Canadian North, First Air, Air Creebec, Sunwing, Air Inuit and Orca Airways are now displaying all-inclusive air prices on their online booking systems -- in line with new regulations launched by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) on Dec. 18. The regulations enable consumers to easily determine the total advertised air price and promote fair competition between all advertisers in the air travel industry. They apply to any person who advertises air prices to the public, for travel within, or originating in Canada, through any media. When...

Etihad, Jet Airways get deal done

Etihad Airways has concluded a transaction with Jet Airways to purchase the Indian carrier's three pairs of Heathrow slots for US$70 million. The purchase is part of a sale and lease back agreement signed on Feb. 26. Jet Airways will continue to operate flights to London utilizing these slots. The deal further strengthens the existing commercial relationship, which came into effect in July 2008, making provision for codesharing between the two airlines. As previously advised, Etihad Airways continues to progress discussions about further investment in Jet...