Advocates and Air Canada served up opposing views of on-board accessibility for passengers in the House of Commons on Tuesday, though both sides agree that consistency remains a problem. Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau told the House transport committee that an overwhelming majority of the 1.3 million passengers who requested special assistance last year had a positive experience. About 1,950 – or 0.15% – filed complaints.
Disney Cruise Line revealed the first details about its next ship, including its name – Disney Destiny – as the ship marked a construction milestone this week with a keel laying ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The ship will sail in 2025.
WestJet says it achieved an 11 percent reduction in its fuel emissions intensity in 2023, compared to (pre-pandemic) 2019, aligning with its ongoing commitment to responsible growth and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) goal for achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
VoX International has announced the return of Colin Wood as Senior Account & Business Strategy Director to lead the Hawaii Tourism account and support overall client strategy and business development for the Toronto-based marketing and PR firm.
Cuba is renowned for its sandy beaches, but there’s more: unlimited opportunities for adventure and discovery lie just beyond the shore. From calm, shallow waters that are ideal conditions for a family swim to sunken shipwrecks on the ocean floor waiting for the true adventurer, the Caribbean Sea offers unforgettable experiences above and below the surface.
Those who are open to innovations are best equipped to make the most of artificial intelligence for their businesses, delegates at the recent ITB Berlin travel trade show in Germany were told. For example, AI enables the search and reservation processes to at last “escape the tyranny of the search bar.”
It sounded like an Oscar speech, so many people thanked by Flemming Friisdahl. And in a way, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the company he founded, The Travel Agent Next Door, was an Oscar of sorts from the Canadian travel industry. But the point, Friishdahl was determined to make, was he couldn’t have done it alone.
Beleaguered Boeing is now telling airlines to inspect switches on pilots’ seats in its 787 Dreamliner jets after a published report said an accidental cockpit seat movement likely caused the sudden plunge of a LATAM Airlines plane flying to New Zealand.
Norwegian Cruise Line has introduced NCL Connect, a new marketing solution designed to boost the sales and marketing efforts of the travel partners through the use of co-brandable “content experiences.” NCL says it is the first contemporary cruise line to do so.
Air Transat is expanding its virtual interlining service with the addition of two new airline partners Pegasus Airlines and Volotea, bringing the total to 14 collaborating airlines and offering access to over 275 additional destinations worldwide.
The WestJet Group has named Diederik Pen as President of WestJet Airlines effective April 1. In adding the title to his current role Chief Operating Officer of the Group, Pen will continue to report to Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group’s Chief Executive Officer.
The federal government says it will host a summit on air accessibility in May amid what it calls “completely unacceptable” barriers to Canadians living with disabilities. Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez says airlines have failed to meet the treatment standards that passengers with disabilities deserve, calling for more responsibility from the aviation sector.
Nick Burri clicks into his ski bindings, squats to stretch his knees and scans the snowy racecourse. Moments later, he’s zipping past a series of gates at high speed and hurtling off jumps. But it’s not gravity pulling him toward the finish line: It’s the brute force of a quarter horse named Sirius.
The CEO of United Airlines says that a slew of recent incidents ranging from a panel that fell off a plane to another jet losing a wheel on takeoff will cause the airline to review its safety training for employees. In a memo to customers on Monday, Scott Kirby tried to reassure travellers that safety is the airline’s top priority.
More passengers who were aboard an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 jet when part of its fuselage blew out in January are suing – including one who says his life was saved by a seat belt.
Air Canada Vacations has strengthened its sales team with several new additions and internal appointments – moves the tour company says “underscore our dedication to building strong partnerships, providing unparalleled support, and driving growth opportunities for the travel community and our travel partners.”
The Sandals Foundation is celebrating its 15th anniversary this week with a vow to remain steadfast in its commitment to improving the lives of people across the Caribbean. Through initiatives focused on education, community development, and environmental conservation, the philanthropic division of the prominent resort chain has positively touched 1.5 million lives since its inception in 2009.
Canadian agents have a chance to share in $450,000 worth of incentives in the 2024 Crystal Grand Challenge, a major promotion launched by the cruise line to celebrate what it calls its “triumphant return to the high seas” and to rewards its top travel advisors, as well as newcomers.
Rocky Mountaineer is looking to the second generation as Tristan Armstrong, son of Founder Peter Armstrong, steps into the role of chief executive officer. The Vancouver-based luxury train company is the largest privately-owned premium tourist train in the world and has hosted 2.3 million guests since it was founded in 1990.
From chocolate to new luxury in London, plus world-class sports and brand-new cultural hubs, there’s no shortage of hot new openings and fresh takes on traditional classics on display in Britain this summer. Here’s a quick look at 10 to-do tips to help a make a visit in 2024 even more memorable.
Another day, another problem for Boeing and United Airlines. On Friday, a post-flight inspection revealed a missing panel on an older Boeing 737-800 that had just arrived at its destination in southern Oregon after flying from San Francisco, officials said, the latest in a series of recent incidents involving aircraft manufactured by the company.
About 200 food service workers at Vancouver’s airport have voted to take strike action if their demands for pay increases in a first contract are not met. In a media release, Unite Here Local 40 said job action “could disrupt daily airport operations as the spring break and Easter weekend rush approaches.”
The Venom Drop, the world’s longest dry slide at sea, bumper cars and a secret speakeasy are just a few of the highlights awaiting guests aboard MSC Cruises’ 6,762-passenger World Europa.
As Jamaica prepares to host global delegates at the Caribbean’s pre-eminent travel trade event, Caribbean Travel Marketplace, in May, the country’s tourism minister has declared a new benchmark for tourism metrics: 2023. “Normally we talk about 2019 (before the pandemic), as being the benchmark,” Edmund Barlett said during a zoom event ahead of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s 42 annual event. “Now we have changed that. 2023 is the new benchmark for Jamaica’s tourism.”
A volcano in Iceland erupted Saturday evening for the fourth time in three months, sending orange jets of lava into the night sky. No flight disruptions were reported at nearby Keflavik, Iceland’s main airport, but hundreds of people were evacuated from the Blue Lagoon thermal spa, one of Iceland’s top tourist attractions, when the eruption began.
G Adventures will soon be offering an extended program of trips to Bosnia and Herzegovina that are designed to support local communities, while showcasing the Balkan nation’s distinctive culture, nature and heritage.
In this week’s round-up: Accolades (perhaps surprising) for Pearson airport; promising global travel news from UN Tourism, IATA and American Express; plus, mixed financial results from Transat, a new destination for Contiki, and plenty more industry tidbits.
After entertaining new entrants for several years, Canada’s airline market is once again on the path to consolidation, raising the likelihood of higher fares and fewer flight options. Since May, newer low-cost carriers Swoop and Lynx Air have disappeared from the skies and WestJet has scooped up Sunwing Airlines.
Revenue increased by almost 18 percent, but overall profit declined for Transat in the first quarter, with the travel company citing the (now resolved) threat of strike by flight attendants, fierce competition, and supply chain challenges as factors contributing to a $61 million net loss. At the same time, record customer deposits for future travel (+14%) have been achieved.
Since the age of four, when my mother first played the irrepressible song “Off to Dublin in the Green” by an obscure group called The Abbey Tavern Singers, I’ve been hooked on traditional Irish folk music.