SPREADING THE NEWS

november 2008  

 

 

AIRLINE NEWs

      

AIR CANADA

Air Canada Kids’ Horizons is celebrating its fifth year of supporting children’s charities and non-profit organizations in Canada by donating five million Aeroplan miles to each of its main partners and announcing a new major partner -- Free The Children. “Building on the support of Air Canada employees, volunteers and the customers’ generosity, Kids’ Horizons has made a difference to the lives of millions of children in Canada and throughout the world,” says AC president Montie Brewer. “We welcome our new partner Free The Children and look forward to Kids’ Horizons’ ongoing support of organizations that promote the well-being of children worldwide.” Founded in 1995 by 12 year-old Ontario-born Craig Kielburger, Free The Children is the world’s largest network of children helping children through education, with more than one million youth around the world focusing on developing educational programs.

Ø      Good to know…

Until December 31, as a commitment to the environment, Air Canada will contribute 25 cents from the sale of each earphones to Zerofootprint, a Canadian non profit organization helping the public reduce its environmental footprint.

Ø      NutriCuisine

On November 1, Air Canada launched NutriCuisine as a menu option for Executive First® customers on international flights departing Canada.

This gastronomic cuisine offers fresh, healthy menus that conform to specific nutritional guidelines supported by 'Food with a Conscience™' program.

Ø      Duty Free Boutique

Effective November 1,  customers travelling from Canada to select international destinations will be able to browse and pre-order duty-free products on aircanada.com.  Their purchases will be delivered directly to their seats.

 

Austrian Airlines

Austrian Airlines’ senior person in this country is confidently predicting that his airline will weather current international economic turmoil, citing previous crises that the airline industry has had to contend with and then survived. Don McWilliam told a Toronto audience Tuesday that “we have survived other significant challenges, such as 9/11 and SARS and…we will continue to remain optimistic that the current economic situation that we are facing will turn around.”
McWilliam also told his audience that Austrian Airlines’ privatization process “is in full swing,” with ongoing negotiations for a new strategic partner expected to be finalized by the end of this year. A new partner will place Austrian in a stronger position to compete in the coming years, he said. McWilliam also said his airline will continue to build on the strong position it already finds itself in Eastern Europe , “where we have one of the strongest networks.” The carrier will also have an expanded Middle East presence while remaining committed to its North American routes. McWilliam also cited awards Austrian has won for both its business and economy class services.

 

Air France fares now include all taxes, fuel surcharges

 

Air France fares appearing on airfrance.ca and advertised in Canada will now include all taxes and the fuel surcharge. The airline will also continue to maintain its policy of not advertising any one-way fares out of Canada. Although airlines are not required to advertise the cost of flight tickets including taxes, Air France has adopted this measure to communicate the price of tickets clearly and transparently to consumers.  For further information please visit www.airfrance.ca

 

American airlines

American Airlines customers departing on domestic flights from Chicago O'Hare now can receive electronic boarding passes on their cell phones and PDAs.

Starting Nov.17, mobile boarding passes will be offered to customers departing from Los Angeles International and John Wayne Orange County airports. If the program is successful in Chicago and Los Angeles, it could be launched in other cities, American said.

The mobile boarding pass program is being rolled out in partnership with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. The TSA already has partnered with Continental and Delta to offer the service at several U.S. airports.

When customers check in for their flight using American's website, they have the option to receive their boarding passes on their cell phones or PDAs. If this option is selected, they get an email with a link to their boarding pass. The mobile boarding pass contains a two-dimensional barcode that can be scanned at TSA security checkpoints and at American Airlines gates.

During the service rollout, customers may list only one person in their reservation and must be traveling on American or American Eagle nonstop or same-plane direct to a domestic destination (including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico ).

 

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES

Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL) has announced that effective immediately it will waive fees for the first checked bag for Continental Airlines Chase credit and debit cardmembers.

Primary credit and debit cardmembers will be eligible to check their first bag without paying a fee -- a savings of $15 each way per passenger checking bags. Continental Airlines Presidential Plus(SM) cardmembers are eligible to check up to two bags without paying a fee -- a savings of up to $40 each way per passenger checking bags. Customers traveling with the primary cardmember will also be eligible for the waived fees if they are listed in the same reservation and check in at the same time.

"We worked closely with Chase to improve the value of our family of co-branded credit and debit cards," said Mark Bergsrud, Continental's senior vice president marketing programs and distribution. "Waiving the first checked baggage fee offers a significant benefit to the more than one million customers who carry a Continental Airlines Chase credit or debit card."

Checked bags must meet weight and size restrictions. These fee waivers will apply to all Continental Airlines, Continental Express and Continental Connection flights. Complete details are available at continental.com.

Cathay pacific airway introduces self-print boarding passes

 

Cathay Pacific Airways is helping ease the burden of travel with a new “Self-Print Boarding Pass” service for departures from Hong Kong International Airport . The new service allows passengers to check in using the airline’s Online Check-In facility, print their own boarding pass at home or in the office on A4 paper in either black and white or colour using a normal printer. The printout will be accepted as a bona fide boarding pass, allowing passengers to avoid the queue at check-in counters. Initially, the service is only available to passengers departing Hong Kong who are travelling point to point on Cathay. Those with onward connections will not be able to use the self-print option. Passengers using the service with baggage to check will need to go to the designated Self Check-In Bag Drop counters at least 45 minutes before flight departure. (http://www.cathaypacific.com)

        

Delta Air Lines has merged with Northwest Airlines

After much anticipation, Delta Air Lines has merged with Northwest Airlines, creating the premier global airline with a leading presence in nearly all of the world’s major travel markets.

With the completion of the merger, Northwest Airlines is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta.  Together, we will provide access to more worldwide destinations than any other airline, with nonstop access between our hubs in Atlanta , Cincinnati , Detroit , Memphis , Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City and Tokyo, and more than 375 destinations in 66 countries. We will employ approximately 75,000 people worldwide.

The integration process is already under way but will take 12-24 months to complete.  In the meantime, from the customer’s point of view, it’s business as usual. 

Your travelers SkyMilesÒ and/or WorldPerks® frequent flyer miles are safe and their status is secure.  During this integration period they will continue to:

Alignment of first and second checked bag fees

Effective immediately, for travel on or after Dec. 5, customers flying within the United States will be charged $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second checked bag when traveling domestically, consistent with Northwest’s existing policies.  Customers who purchased Delta tickets on or before Nov. 5, 2008, and who are traveling on or after Dec. 5, 2008, will be charged $50 for a second bag, but will be permitted to check their first bag without charge pursuant to Delta’s previous policy.  All customers flying in First or Business Class, including SkyMiles Medallion members and WorldPerks Elite members, will receive up to three checked bags, up to 70 pounds each, for free.  SkyMiles Medallion members and WorldPerks Elite members flying in Coach Class will receive up to two checked bags, up to 70 pounds each, for free.  All customers traveling in full fare (Y) Coach Class, as well as customers traveling internationally will receive up to two checked bags, up to 50 pounds each, for free.  U. S. Military personnel on active duty with travel orders will continue to be able to check up to 10 pieces of luggage on Delta- and Northwest-operated mainline flights or up to four pieces of luggage on Delta Connection flights, up to a maximum of 100 pounds each, free of charge.  

 

Etihad airways celebrates five years of service

Etihad Airways marked a milestone Nov. 5 when it celebrated its fifth anniversary. Last Friday Etihad also celebrated three years of operation in Canada , marking the anniversary of the launch of flights from Toronto to Abu Dhabi via Brussels. Today Etihad operates three nonstop direct flights between Toronto and Abu Dhabi.

 

Porter Airlines

Porter Airlines is celebrating its second anniversary, marking several milestones, including operating more than 23,000 one-way flights and travelling over 6.6 million miles with 463 million Available Seat Miles during the two years. “The strength of Porter’s business model has been proven as we have maintained profitability and continued to grow during a period of record-high fuel prices and economic uncertainty,” said Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines. The airline operates from its base at Toronto City Centre Airport and serves regional destinations in Ottawa , Montreal , Quebec City, Halifax , New York ( Newark ), Chicago (Midway) and Mont Tremblant, Que. Further growth is planned in the next year with the delivery of eight new Bombardier Q400 aircraft and the start-up of additional routes. US destinations such as Washington , Boston and Philadelphia are priorities in the short term. (http://www.flyporter.com)

WestJet connects with oneworld

WestJet and oneworld are teaming up to launch a new global travel program for businesses in Canada. The new canadaconnect corporate travel program will see WestJet combining its Canadian network with oneworld's transborder and international network to offer companies across Canada special rates for their business air travel right around the globe with some of the best airlines in the world.  The new program provides flights to almost 600 destinations in nearly 130 countries worldwide with more than 900 international departures a week from Canada. Canadaconnect offers departures from more than 25 cities across the country.  

Along with WestJet, seven oneworld member airlines are participating in the program: American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, LAN, Qantas and Royal Jordanian. Other oneworld members may join in the future. To make using canadaconnect as simple as possible, the participating airlines will nominate a single point of contact to co-ordinate each customer's needs. Noting that WestJet is a ‘natural partner’ for oneworld, Nicolas Ferri, the alliance’s vice-president commercial, commented: “In difficult financial times like today, it's more important than ever for every business to make the very most of every dollar they spend. canadaconnect will help companies across Canada achieve just this on all their air travel.”
Duncan Bureau, WestJet’s vice-president of sales and airline partnerships, said: “Through canadaconnect and WestJet's new sales link with oneworld, Canadian business travellers now have real choice for their travel right around the world.  ”Both oneworld and WestJet, however, stressed that there are no plans at present for the Canadian airline to join the alliance. A number of airlines that are not oneworld members already participate in several of the alliance's other fare products.

Cities in Canada with flights covered by the canadaconnect program include: Abbotsford, Charlottetown, Calgary, Comox, Deer Lake/Corner Brook, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grand Prairie, Halifax, Hamilton, Kamloops, Kelowna, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Prince George, Quebec City, Regina, Saint John, St John's, Saskatoon, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria and Winnipeg.
For more, go to http://www.oneworld.com/canadaconnect.

 

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

 

Ø      New visa procedure in place for travel to Saudi Arabia

 

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Ottawa is no longer accepting visa applications (by mail or in person) – all applications must now be arranged through an authorized agent. Applications can be made through International Visa Passport Service Corporation (formally Visa Connection Ltd.), an authorized agent for processing all types of visas to Saudi Arabia with the Embassy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Canada. (1-866-566-8472, http://www.ivpsc.com)

 

Hotel News worldwide

Ø      Ramada Worldwide

Ramada Worldwide said the 370-room hotel located at Ruppin Bridge, Herzl Boulevard in Jerusalem will now feature the Ramada brand name, making the hotel the brand’s first property in Israel. The hotel is located near the entrance of Israel ’s capital city, within walking distance of the Knisset and Israel ’s government complex. The property features a selection of glatt kosher restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, a tennis court, sauna, fitness center and meeting space capable of accommodating up to 1,700 guests. A complimentary shuttle provides access to Old City Jerusalem six days a week. Currently, Wyndham Hotel Group has 25 properties open in the Middle East, 12 of which opened in the past year. Of the open properties, 19 are a part of the Ramada brand. For more information, visit www.wyndhamworldwide.com.

Ø      Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has completed the sale of the iconic 219-room Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire,Scotland, to Leisurecorp, the Dubai World company, for £55 million (approximately $100 million). Starwood has entered a 50-year management agreement to manage the hotel and after an extensive £30 million (approximately $49 million) restoration, the property will become a member of its Luxury Collection portfolio. Leisurecorp, which has been acquiring sport, leisure and lifestyle-related investments, plans a major renovation and restoration that will keep the history of this award-winning iconic hotel alive. The 101-year-old hotel will close for refurbishment on Nov. 1, 2008, to be restored to the vision of original architect James Miller, by renowned British interior designer Mary Fox Linton. The resort, which features two 18-hole championship courses, including the world famous Ailsa Course, is scheduled to reopen in July 2009 as the venue for the 138th British Open Championship, the fourth time the resort will have hosted this world class golf event.

For more information, visit www.starwoodhotels.com or www.leisurecorp.com.

 

Ø      Edmonton gets Starwood property

 

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide plans to open a newly constructed Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Edmonton. The hotel is scheduled to open in March 2010. Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton West will offer 158 rooms, extras such as warm pie and free high-speed Internet. Located in the west end of town, the hotel will be convenient to the shops and restaurants at West Edmonton Mall, and just minutes from the city’s downtown arts district, Fort Edmonton Park and the Royal Alberta Museum. The hotel will be approximately a 15-minute drive from Edmonton City Centre Airport, with convenient proximity to parklands and forests. Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton West will be the third new-build Four Points by Sheraton in Alberta and the sixth in western Canada.

 

Ø      DELTA  GRAND HOTEL OPENNING IN BC

 

On November 3rd 2008, Delta Hotels was delighted to announce the opening of it's seventh hotel in British Columbia, Delta Grand Okanagan Resort and Conferefce Centre.  Located on more than seven acres of prime lakefront in a parkland setting and only a short stroll from kelowna 's main downtown core, this resort has become a landmark for the city and world-renowned destination for the Okanagan Valley. With 390 guest room and suite accommodations, all offering lake, city or mountain view, and 25,000 square feet of meeting space, Delta Grand Okanagan Resort is a welcome addition to the Delta Hotels family.  

 

EGENCIA Offers Great Vacation Packages!!!!!!!!  

Please refer to our Vacation Page for upcoming specials.  You may contact Karen Paterson, Leisure Specialist at 905-821-0013 x 230

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