Airlines
Changing air travel forever
It was 15 years ago today (May 14) that five airline CEOs made a decision that most would agree has changed the landscape of commercial aviation forever. The top executives of Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, THAI and United came together to create the Star Alliance network, realizing that with growing globalization, the need for more international travel to a wider range of destinations would become increasingly important. As no airline on its own would be able to achieve this, these five airlines established the Star Alliance network with the aim of becoming the "leading global...
Turkish Airlines connected in Canada
Star Alliance carriers, Turkish Airlines and Air Canada have reached a Special Proration Agreement (SPA) that will allow other cities within Canada to connect with Turkish Airlines' itineraries to Turkey or beyond Turkey and vice versa with Air Canada's domestic flights. In all, a total of 29 additional destinations in Canada are now able to connect to the Turkish Airlines' service offered through Toronto. Agencies, agents and travel partners will now be able to issue a single Turkish Airlines ticket to include the Air Canada domestic connections. The SPA agreement covers the following...
TOI lends support to initiative
The Tour Operators' Initiative for Sustainable Tourism Development (TOI) has indicate its support for efforts in favour of a global, multilaterally-agreed framework for the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions from aviation that would mirror the global nature of travel and tourism, with all jurisdictions working hand-in-hand. TOI chairman, Michel Lemay commented: "The travel industry at large, as well as the aviation industry, have already taken actions to reduce GHG emissions and we would welcome globally-accepted market-based measures, provided the approach dovetails with other...
Emirates Group posts profit
With the release of its 2011-2012 annual report, the Emirates Group is reporting a net profit of US$629 million, which marks the 24th consecutive year in which it has turned in a profit. Despite the economic challenges and record high fuel prices, the Group's revenue climbed to US$18.4 billion -- an increase of 17.8% compared to the previous year's results. As well, it's cash balance grew by 9.5%, reaching US$4.8 billion. His Highness (H.H) Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, commented on the results: "Achieving our 24th consecutive...
WestJet Rewards enhances bonus structure
WestJet has introduced two enhancements to its reward program, WestJet Rewards, offering consistent WestJet dollar bonuses at each qualifying level and removing the cap on the number of milestone bonuses members can earn. The first milestone bonus at $1,500 remains the same at $35 WestJet dollars, but starting today, members of WestJet Rewards will receive $25 WestJet dollars at each $1,500 qualifying spend milestone thereafter. Additionally, WestJet Rewards has removed the cap on the number of levels members can reach to earn bonus WestJet dollars. Prior to this announcement, once members...
Etihad to launch flights to Ethiopia
Etihad Airways will add the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to its rapidly growing network in November. The airline will also start flying to the Indian city of Ahmedabad in the same month. The two new cities will expand the airline's reach to 86 passenger and cargo destinations around the world. The new routes will each be served by an Airbus A320 aircraft and support Etihad Airways' aims to connect key strategic cities with its home base of Abu Dhabi, enhancing commercial and leisure travel with the UAE's capital city. Flights between Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa, its ninth destination in...
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 ,...