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Air Canada Flight Pass for Business
Flight Passes for Business are prepaid packages of multi-passenger one-way flight
credits for travel in multiple regions within Canada and to the U.S. They come in a range
of options, offer excellent value, are convenient to book and can be shared by up to 50
employees at a time. On top of that, they allow for cost predictability and are available in
Tango Plus fares for greater value and in Latitude fares for added flexibility.
Between February 18 and March 11, 2011, take advantage of these exclusive offers*:
• Get 4 free credits with the purchase of a 100-credit Flight Pass for Business.
• Get 8 free credits with the purchase of a 200-credit Flight Pass for Business.
Make a great business decision: call Travel Resources to invest in a Flight Pass today.
* Offer period: February 14, 2011 - March 11, 2011. The 4 free flight credits are valid with the purchase of a 100-
credit Flight Pass for Business; 8 free flight credits come with the purchase of a 200-credit Flight Pass for
Business.
Air Canada Expands Summer Schedule
Air Canada reports that through its continuing international expansion strategy it will
add 450,000 more seats this summer compared to last to and from its Toronto
hub, including new daily service to four major international destinations.
“Air Canada is expanding its international, transborder and domestic services this
summer, with much of that growth occurring in our Toronto hub. Following the success of
new route additions last year we are enhancing our schedule and adding 450,000 more seats than last
summer, primarily by making flights to Copenhagen, Madrid, Dublin and Santiago daily, doubling the
number of flights to Barcelona to six a week, and adding a fourth weekly frequency to Athens,” said
Ben Smith, executive vice-president and chief commercial officer at Air Canada. “This growth comes on top
of 680,000 seats we added to and from Toronto in 2010.
Canada Eases Airport Security Rules
In an effort to reduce hassles at airports, Canadian Transport
Minister Chuck Strahl has announced changes to screening
procedures carried out at Canadian airports.
Under the changes, airline passengers in Canada will be able to have scissors and tools in their
carry-on baggage. These items may be no longer than six centimeters in length, excluding the length of the
handle. According to CATSA, (Canadian Air Transport Security Authority) these items pose a low risk to
airline safety in light of better post 9/11 security that includes secure cockpit doors.
Knives of any length remain prohibited and restrictions on the amount of liquid, aerosols and gels that can
be brought onboard a plane continue. Toys will be allowed in carry-on luggage except those toys that
resemble weapons.
Other changes are in the works to speed up security screening.
There will also be new dedicated lanes for families and those with special needs, with equipment specifically
designed for bigger items like strollers. There will also be new lines for frequent travelers pre-approved
under the Nexus card program.
WestJet Announces Service to Orange County
WestJet recently announced it will begin non-stop service from Vancouver and
Calgary to Orange County, California, beginning May 2 and June 12, 2011,
respectively, as part of its summer schedule.
The new summer schedule includes flight increases to WestJet’s existing routes. WestJet is the only
Canadian airline that offers non-stop daily service from Vancouver and Calgary, with great connections from
other cities.
WestJet Announces Expanded Eastern Triangle Service
WestJet has announced details of an initiative aimed to better serve the needs of
business travelers flying between Toronto and Montreal as well as Toronto
and Ottawa.
Beginning May 2, 2011, WestJet will offer 10 flights each business day between Toronto and
Montreal and nine flights each business day between Toronto and Ottawa. Flights will be offered at
peak business times and depart from dedicated easy-access gates at these airports.
WestJet will also introduce new conveniences for guests travelling on these flights, including no fees to take
an earlier or later flight on the same day and complementary wine and beer on board. Also, guests who join
WestJet’s Frequent Guest Program will receive 25 bonus WestJet dollars for every three one-way flights
flown in the triangle between May and August.
In addition, a new service promise will see guests travelling on these routes offered 50% off their next
Toronto-Montreal or Toronto-Ottawa flight if their aircraft is delayed by more than 30 minutes. If a guest’s
flight is cancelled and they cannot travel at the new time, they will receive full credit for the cost of their ticket
plus 50 per cent off their next Toronto-Montreal or Toronto-Ottawa flight.
Delta Expands “Cashless” Policy for In-Flight Purchases
Delta Air Lines is now accepting credit and debit cards exclusively for all on-
board purchases on most international routes. Previously, the policy applied for
on-board purchases on flights within North America – including the U.S., Canada,
Mexico, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Central America.
Debit/credit cards or cash will continue to be accepted on intra-Asia routes and on flights between Japan
and Hawaii.
Delta Connection flights with single class cabins continue to accept cash only.
ATM and gift cards are not accepted, and debit cards are only accepted if they bear a major credit card logo.
Virgin America Suspends Toronto Service
After only seven months of operating services to Toronto Pearson International
Airport (YYZ), American Airlines has announced that it will suspend this service,
effective April 6.
In a statement the airline said it has decided to indefinitely suspend its Toronto service and instead
immediately move capacity into other existing and more lucrative markets from the West Coast, including
Dallas Fort Worth (DFW).
The airline further stated that it hopes to at some point to return to Toronto, but in the smaller Toronto-West
Coast markets, it was not able to stimulate demand as quickly as the airline would have liked.
Delta Adding New “Economy Comfort” Section
Delta Air Lines announced a major investment in its international fleet with plans to
introduce a premium economy section – "Economy Comfort" – on all long-
haul international flights in summer 2011. The new seats will feature up to four
additional inches of legroom and 50 percent more recline than Delta's standard international Economy class
seats.
The product, which is similar to upgraded Economy services currently available on flights operated by
Delta's joint venture partner Air France-KLM, will be installed in the first few rows of the Economy cabin on
more than 160 Boeing 747, 757, 767, 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft by this summer.
Customers who have purchased an international Economy ticket on Delta will be able to choose Economy
Comfort seats for an additional fee of $80-$160 one-way through delta.com, kiosks and Delta reservations
beginning in May for travel this summer. Complimentary access to Economy Comfort seats will be available
to all SkyMiles Diamond and Platinum Medallions; up to eight companions traveling in the same reservation
with Diamond and Platinum Medallions; and customers purchasing full-fare Economy class tickets. Gold
and Silver Medallions will enjoy 50 and 25 percent discounts on the Economy Comfort seat fees,
respectively.
This announcement is the latest in Delta's previously announced plan to invest more than $2 billion in
enhanced global products, services and airport facilities through 2013. In addition to adding the Economy
Comfort product and offering full-flat bed seats on its entire international widebody fleet, Delta is upgrading
its domestic fleet with more First Class seats and in-seat entertainment; adding personal, in-seat
entertainment for both BusinessElite and Economy class customers on all long-haul international flights;
adding in-flight Wi-Fi service to all domestic aircraft with a First and Economy class cabin; and building new
terminal facilities for international customers at its two largest global gateways – Atlanta and New York-JFK.
Economy Comfort seating will be offered on Delta's Boeing 747, 757, 767 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft
flying long-haul intercontinental routes between the U.S. and Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East
and South America (Lima, Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Buenos Aires and Santiago only). Economy
Comfort seating is limited and may not be available on all flights. The Economy Comfort Medallion travel
companion benefit is applicable for up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation as the
Medallion member. Group reservations are not applicable. For companions of Gold Medallion members,
fees apply per seat. All SkyMiles program rules apply to SkyMiles program membership, miles, offers, mile
accrual, mile redemption and travel benefits, respectively.
United Airlines Grounds 96 Planes
United Airlines has grounded its entire fleet of Boeing 757’s after discovering that safety checks on a
critical equipment upgrade required by federal aviation regulators in 2004 had not been completed. Ninety
six planes are involved. The planes are used mostly on long-range cross country flights within the US.
United who found the problem and voluntarily halted takeoffs on the jets, is expected to cancel or delay an
unspecified number of flights while the checks are being completed.
The problem occurred on the 757's air data computer, which measures air pressure and other atmospheric
conditions to determine speed and altitude. In June 2004 the Federal Aviation Administration ordered that
the computers be replaced and that mechanics perform a check to ensure they were working properly.
United replaced the units, but the required checks were not performed The airline said it was not aware of
any problems or incidents caused by the computers.
Each 757 has two of the computers to enable a cross check of each other’s accuracy. A standby system is
apparently also available in case of emergency.
The FAA issued an emergency order requiring that the computers be replaced because of a flaw that could
cause pilots to erroneously believe they were flying too fast or too slow. Though not common, incorrect
speed readings can and have led to fatal crashes.
The FAA said it was unaware of the issue until it was notified Tuesday by United. It was not known last
evening whether United would face an enforcement action and possible fines by the FAA.
Should you have any questions please contact a member of our Management Team at 905-480-9986:
• Lucy La Vigna, Director of Operations - lucyl@travelresources.net
• Selina Johnston, Manager, Client Services - selinaj@travelresources.net
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