When the ‘Queen Anne’ sailed up the River Mersey to Cunard’s “spiritual home” in Liverpool, UK – where Samuel Cunard launched the first transatlantic passenger cargo service in 1840 with steamship Britannia – thousands of people lined the waterfront, cheering on the majestic vessel in anticipation of the christening and naming ceremony of the illustrious Cunard brand’s first new ship in 14 years.
Three new service enhancements for guests travelling with wheelchairs or similar mobility aids are highlighted in WestJet’s just-released first annual accessibility plan progress, which come one year after the launch of the airline’s inaugural accessibility plan.
In conjunction with the return of seasonal service between Toronto and Salt Lake City, the Utah Office of Tourism (UOT) raised the curtain at a series movie-themed “Matinee & Mingle” events for the trade in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto last week celebrating “100 years of film” in the state – including famous flicks like “Footloose” and “Thelma & Louise.”
Southwest Airlines returned to federal court this week in hopes of reversing an US$800,000 award to a flight attendant who said she was fired for her anti-abortion views and a judge’s related order that the airlines’ lawyers take religious liberty training from a conservative Christian legal group.
Africa’s most populous country ground to a halt on Monday, with electricity cut and major airports closed, as Nigeria’s largest labour unions began striking to demand a salary increase amid the worst cost of living crisis in decades.
Just as the summer travel season gets into gear, Canadians and visitors could find themselves waiting in long lines at the border. It all depends on what happens with a potential strike by workers at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which could start as soon as Thursday.
New York police arrested 34 people following a pro-Palestinian protest at the Brooklyn Museum, which reported damage to some artwork and harassment of security staff by demonstrators. Hundreds of protesters marched to the museum on Friday afternoon, set up tents in the lobby and unfurled a “Free Palestine” banner from the building’s roof. Meanwhile in Paris, an environmental activist defaced a Monet painting in the Musée d’Orsay.
Officials from beleaguered Boeing officials explained their plan to improve manufacturing quality and safety during a three-hour meeting late last week with US federal officials, who will continue restrictions they placed on the company after one of its jetliners suffered a blowout of a fuselage panel in January.
MSC Cruises says it will bring its largest and most luxurious MSC Yacht Club “ship within a ship” concept to North American shores with the launch MSC World America in April, 2025. One of the ship’s seven distinct districts, the MSC Yacht Club offers guests a secluded sanctuary within the bustle of the wider ship.
ACTA held its annual general meeting on May 28 during which association members voted on the nine positions available to its Board of Directors. The national organization also reactivated its regional advisory committees.
For the first time, Kempinski Hotels, Europe’s oldest luxury hotel company, has ventured into Vietnam with a riverside resort nestled in the folds of the Ho Chi Minh’s main defining waterway. The Kempinski Saigon River reimagines traditional Vietnamese vernacular architecture with an ultra-modern twist through a collection of 100 guestrooms and suites that blend heritage with modern luxury.
While a border strike looms, a settlement by WestJet Encore pilots nullified another. Also last week, American Airlines reversed course on a controversial commission plan; Billy Bishop airport said it will introduce US customs pre-clearance next year; and UN Tourism projected that international arrivals would finally surpass pre-pandemic 2019 levels in 2024
A potential strike looms at border crossings across the country for more than 9,000 workers at Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) following the release of the Public Interest Commission (PIC) report. The release of the report – outlining the Commission’s recommendations to reach a settlement – starts the clock on job action and puts workers in a legal strike position as of Thursday, June 6.
Travellers heading south of the border via Toronto’s Billy Bishop airport can look forward to pre-clearing U.S. customs at the island/city facility next year, with plans now underway to introduce the fast-track system by late 2025. Airport executives made the announcement on Thursday while introducing the selection of companies to handle construction and baggage handling duties required for implementation.
Consumer spending on travel continues to be robust with significant increases in passenger traffic, according to the latest global report from the Mastercard Economics Institute. The “Travel Trends 2024” report provides comprehensive insights into the evolving landscape of the travel industry across 74 markets, including Canada.
Bette Nash, recognized as the world’s longest-serving flight attendant, has died. She was 88.
DoubleTree is a well-respected hotel chain, but let’s face it, it’s really famous because of its chocolate chip cookies. A once unexpected and inconvenient overnight stay in Miami due to a missed connection is still remembered years later by my kids as a highlight of our trip on account of the warm, gooey, chocolatey confections they scored that night when we checked in.
Explora Journeys is getting into race mode to celebrate the arrival of Explora II, its second luxury ship this summer. The new small-ship ocean travel brand is the Global Partner of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, that takes place in the waters off Barcelona. Meanwhile, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team are hosting a racing themed cruise, complete with a replica car on the ship and specialty shore experiences in Monte Carlo.
With the stunning backdrop of the Cliffs of Moher, new talents Meadhbh (Maeve) Walsh and Sina Theil combine on the cherished Irish ballad “Grace.” They’re believed to be the first female duo to do the song, which is best known by Irish band the Wolfetones, though even Rod Stewart once gave it a go.
Pilots at WestJet’s regional carrier could be going on strike at the beginning of June. The Air Line Pilots Association said Wednesday afternoon that WestJet Encore pilots have issued a 72-hour strike notice to management and the government.
With the effects of climate change increasingly evident, adventurous travellers are embracing the notion of ‘last chance travel’ – that they may not be able to do it again – according to the Adventure Travel Trade Association in its just-released 2024 State of the Adventure Industry Snapshot report.
ACTA is applauding American Airlines decision rescind its scheduled policy to stop issuing loyalty points on travel agent bookings following significant advocacy efforts by the association in conjunction with the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), and the World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA).
Travel Edge top performers celebrated their status in several exotic destinations ranging from Antigua to Croatia, while planting trees to help the environment was top of mind with both Flight Centre and ONVIGO. And a group of agents tagged along on Air Canada’s inaugural flight from Montreal to Tulum, Mexico.
Today (May 30) marks the 75th anniversary of the arrival in Montreal of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ inaugural flight from Amsterdam. It was the first commercial connection between Canada and mainland Europe – a 20-hour journey that included refueling stops at Prestwick, Scotland, and Gander. From Montreal, the plane continued to Curaçao in the Dutch West Indies, with a technical stopover in Havana.
The Singapore Airlines jetliner that hit sever turbulence last week went through huge swings in gravitational force in less than five seconds, likely causing the injuries to people who weren’t buckled into their seats, according to a preliminary report Wednesday by Singapore’s Transport Ministry.
Niagara-on-the-Lake has a new hotel – one inspired by Scotland, but just minutes from Canada’s most famous landmark. Besides the nearby Falls, The Scotsman Hotel is nestled in Niagara’s wine country, offering five-star luxury, in a town also renowned for its theatre (Shaw Festival), and 20 minutes from the Queenston Bridge to the US.
Destination weddings have continued their upward trend in popularity in recent years, and with good reason, as couples can celebrate milestones in idyllic settings that only paradise can offer. For those seeking a serene and tranquil atmosphere, Cayo Largo is the perfect destination for weddings, honeymoons, vow renewals and celebrations of love of all kinds.
Two recent high-profile incidents have put a spotlight on the potential dangers of flying through unstable air. In the latest occurrence, 12 passengers and crew were injured when a Qatar Airways plane flying from Doha to Dublin hit turbulence on Sunday, resulting in eight of the people being hospitalized. The inflight incident followed the death of a passenger and over 70 others hurt, many severely, on a Singapore Airlines flight earlier this month.
International tourism is expected to recover completely in 2024 backed by strong demand, enhanced air connectivity, and the continued recovery of China and other major Asian markets, according to UN Tourism, which reports that international tourist arrivals reached 97% of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of the year.
A man accused of running naked down the aisle of an Australian domestic flight, knocking down a flight attendant and forcing the plane to turn back, was arrested by police at the airport, officials said. The incident happened early in what was scheduled to be a three-hour and 30-minute Virgin Australia flight on Monday night from the west coast city of Perth to Melbourne on the east coast.