Airlines
Service straight from the heart
Cathay Pacific has added a new level of on-board comfort with the introduction of new seating on its aircraft operating from Canada and a number of other key destinations around the world. The carrier celebrated the official Canadian launch in Toronto last night (May 8) at a festive event at the city's Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex. Along with new economy class seating and a new flatbed business class seats, CX introduced what it's describing as its "Premium Economy experience" that includes a separate cabin from economy with between 26 and 34 seats per aircraft. Seat pitch is 38 inches...
airberlin flights for YVR to Abu Dhabi
The recent partnership between Etihad Airways and airberlin has led to the launch of new connecting flights from Vancouver to Abu Dhabi, via Dusseldorf, Germany. Starting May 13, airberlin and Etihad will start Sunday flights from Vancouver to Abu Dhabi, and beyond to more than 70 destinations worldwide. The frequency will increase to twice a week from June 13 every Wednesday and Sunday until Oct. 21. The partnership allows Etihad Guest members to collect and redeem miles on all flights with Etihad and airberlin. (http://www.airberlin.com ,...
Fairmont signs on with Jet Airways
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has launched a new marketing alliance with India's Jet Airways. As part of the new partnership, guests and members of the luxury hotel brand's guest recognition program, Fairmont President's Club, will have the option of earning airline miles in Jet Airways' frequent flyer program, JetPrivilege. To kick off the new partnership, Fairmont is extending a launch offer to its guests. Through Aug. 6, guests on qualifying stays will have the opportunity to earn triple miles based on 500 miles per night to a maximum of 2,000 miles per stay. Following the welcome offer,...
AC gets exemption
Air Canada reports that it has received a conditional exemption which would effectively treat Air Canada's Class A variable voting and Class B voting shares as a single class for the purposes of applicable take-over bid requirements and early warning reporting requirements contained under Canadian securities laws. The exemption, however, will become effective immediately (but only) upon shareholder approval of proposed related amendments to Air Canada's shareholder rights plan agreement, which Air Canada will seek at its annual and special meeting of Air Canada shareholders to be held on June...
WestJet launches Aruba flights
Aruba has become WestJet's 30th sun destination with the launch of non-stop, seasonal flight from Toronto's Pearson International airport today. John MacLeod, vice-president, network management and alliances for WestJet, commented: "Without a doubt, Aruba is one of the most beautiful and culturally fascinating islands in the Caribbean. With an average daily temperature of about 30 degrees, clear skies and cooling trade winds, the climate is perfect for a vacation at any time of the year. Aruba is our 30th sun destination available to Canadians on a non-stop basis from Toronto Pearson -...
Easy way to explore the Middle East
Emirates is launching the the Arabian Airpass that features flights priced from US$60. This special offer features business class fares from US$175 and first class fares from US$245. Using Dubai as its base, the Arabian Airpass offers savings on flights to Tehran (IKA), Beirut (BEY), Damascus (DAM), Amman (AMM), Kuwait City (KWI), Dammam (DMM), Bahrain (BAH), Doha (DOH), Muscat (MCT), Sana'a (SAH), Riyadh (RHU) and Cairo (CAI). No minimum stay is required. To take advantage of the program, travellers simply purchase airfare beyond Dubai in conjunction with their international ticket. For...
AC battles challenges in Q1
Air Canada reported earnings -- before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment, and aircraft rent (EBITDAR) -- of $175 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to EBITDAR of $207 million in the first quarter of 2011. The carrier indicated that its EBITDAR of $175 million was in line with the range of $170 million to $180 million projected in the airline's news release dated April 26, 2012. AC reported an operating loss of $93 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to an operating loss of $66 million in the first quarter of 2011. AC's president and CEO, Calin...
Air Canada launches JFK service
With the launch of its service to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport from Toronto (inaugurated today, May 3), Air Canada becomes the only Canadian airline serving all three of the Big Apple's major airports. With the new route, existing service to Newark Liberty International Airport and an additional daily flight between Toronto and LaGuardia Airport that began May 1 to bring that service to hourly, Air Canada will now operate up to 38 non-stop return flights a day between Canada and New York City this summer. "New York is a popular destination and Air Canada is very pleased to...