All posts filed under: News

Air China's "Smiling China", B777, TravelBloggers.ca

Air China increased its Beijing-New York service from 7 to 11 times weekly

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‘Smiling China’ Kick-starts Service Upgrade BEIJING, April 2, 2013 /CNW/ – Air China’s “Smiling China” aircraft, which sports the livery of smiling faces, touched down at New York’s Kennedy International Airport at on March 31, 2013. The B-2035, one of the aircraft in Air China’s B777-300ER fleet, is the prelude to a new endeavor to upgrade Beijing-New York operations. Air China’s Beijing-New York route – the most important and busiest between China and the United States – increased from seven to 11 times a week starting March 31. The newly added flights are CA989/990. The airliner used on the route was upgraded to B777-300ER, a type popular with business travelers. In 2012, China was the world’s second largest source market for outbound tourist traffic, and the United States was the most popular destination for Chinese travelers. Beijing’s new policy also allows travelers from 45 countries, including the United States, to stay in Beijing for 72 hours during flight transfers without a visa. After in-depth market research and based on its deep understanding of business travelers’ …

WestJet, TravelBloggers.ca

WestJet Eases Restrictions On Pets In The Cabin

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Airline looks to attract more guests who want to travel with the family pet CALGARY, April 1, 2013 /CNW/ – WestJet today announced the easing of restrictions on pets in the cabin. All WestJet flights will now allow for any type of animal to travel in the cabin provided it fits safely on board the aircraft. Further, the airline will no longer require animals to be kept in kennels while on board the aircraft. “We recognize that a growing number of families want to travel with their ‘extended’ family and we are proud to be the first airline to offer this type of service,” said Richard Bartrem, WestJet’s Vice-President, Communications and Community Relations.

The Canadian Transportation Agency seeks the views of the public for baggage rules to, from and within Canada

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The Canadian Transportation Agency Launches a Consultation on Baggage Rules OTTAWA — March 26, 2013 — The Canadian Transportation Agency today launched a consultation to seek the views of the public and industry on the best approach to the application of baggage rules for transportation to, from and within Canada involving multiple air carriers. Baggage rules address matters such as the number of bags a passenger may check, the weight and size of baggage, how many pieces of baggage a passenger may bring with them on the airplane and excess baggage charges. Carriers can have different policies in this respect, raising the issue of which carrier’s policy applies in travel arrangements involving multiple air carriers. Currently, different approaches to baggage rules are used around the world. This results in uneven practices internationally and ultimately creates the possibility of confusion and extra charges for consumers and the industry. The goal is to have a clear approach to ensure transparency for consumers and industry alike.

Air Canada customers connecting to the U.S. through Toronto now benefit from fully-automated baggage handling

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Streamlined connections strengthen Toronto as preferred routing for U.S. travellers MONTREAL, March 26, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada is becoming an even more attractive option for travellers connecting to the U.S. due to a simplified baggage handling process at its Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport hub. The new system sends checked baggage to connecting flights so connecting customers no longer have to retrieve their checked bags for U.S. customs inspection. “Air Canada’s Toronto Pearson hub is already recognized as a North American gateway and this simplified baggage process makes it even more attractive. It strengthens Toronto’s position as a preferred routing by making transit through Pearson easier for customers who are increasingly choosing to travel our international network because it offers some of the best elapsed travel times between the U.S. and other global centres in Europe and Asia,” said Ben Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada. “Air Canada has earned Skytrax ratings as North America’s Best International Airline and its only Four Star international network carrier. These …

Two New Around-The-World Trips on a Private Jet – Four Seasons-Style

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Embark on a tour of the Americas or visit 10 legendary destinations in 2014 TORONTO, March 26, 2013 /CNW/ – “Departure.” Few words in the English language carry such excitement and promise (especially when spotted at an airport). It means you’re going places — in more ways than one. Now, after selling out all three Around the World by Private Jet tours to date, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts reveals a boarding pass for two new 2014 itineraries that promise a departure from ordinary travel with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Rediscover the Americas takes flight from February 24 to March 13, 2014, and touches down in seven of the most stunning Four Seasons destinations in the Americas: Miami, Nevis, Buenos Aires, Carmelo, Costa Rica, Punta Mita and Beverly Hills. Around the World is a 23-day itinerary sure to fill a passport with exotic stamps as travellers explore 10 legendary destinations across the globe starting March 14, 2014: from the idyllic islands of Hawaii, Bora Bora and Bali to the vibrant city streets of Sydney, Mumbai, Istanbul …

Canada second to last globally, for paid time off work

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TORONTO, March 26, 2013 /CNW/ – Who doesn’t love time off from the office? It’s when we get to relax and unwind, spend time with our loved ones and, of course, travel. Recent findings by Hotels.com®, which looked at the amount of paid and public holiday time around the world, reveal that Canada is near the bottom of global rankings with a mere 15 days, beaten only by Mexico at 13. On the opposite end of the spectrum was Russia, which came out on top with a staggering average of 40 days of paid leave. “There is a substantial level of inconsistency around the world when it comes to the amount of stat holiday or vacation time for employees, particularly when you compare Russia to Mexico or Canada” said Taylor L. Cole, APR, travel expert for Hotels.com. “If you’re looking to take an extended vacation with just two weeks of paid leave, it can be quite the challenge to get that time off. This could lead to vacation deprivation, or travellers either being forced to …

Majority Of U.S. Travelers Struggle To Take All Their Vacation Days

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Best Western Launches Vacation Citation Contest to Empower Travelers to Take Their Vacations PHOENIX, March 18, 2013 /CNW/ – More than half of U.S. travellers expect to leave unused vacation days on the table in 2013 and even when they take time off, travellers struggle to leave the stress of work at the office according to a new Best Western Vacation Citation survey conducted with Wakefield Research. Sixty-two (62) percent of travellers surveyed said they had difficulty taking vacation in the past 12 months and half said work frequently keeps them from relaxing while on vacation. Enjoying their time off is even tougher for frequent business travellers, as 52 percent say work is more likely to ruin their vacation than bad weather. To empower travellers to take vacation, Best Western has launched its Vacation Citation contest on Facebook. Participants can join Best Western’s “Vacation Citation Nation” by issuing themselves or their family and friends an official Vacation Citation and in turn they will automatically be entered in weekly drawings for prizes to inspire travel including Best Western Travel Cards, MasterCard and Amazon Gift Cards, …

Hangzhou, China Kicks Off Worldwide Search for Modern-day “Marco Polo”

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The most beautiful trip in the world – a free tour of Hangzhou, coupled with an amazing monetary award HANGZHOU, China, March 11, 2013 /CNW/ – The ceremony launching the worldwide search for the modern “Marco Polo” was held with grandeur in Hangzhou on March 11. The selected traveler will be entitled to the most beautiful trip in the world, including a 15-day complimentary tour of Hangzhou, the opportunity to experience Chinese lifestyle and an award of 40,000 euros. All the winner is required to do in return is share with the world the details of his or her unforgettable Hangzhou stay. The organizer, Hangzhou Tourism Commission, invited Dr. Liu Yun, Vice President of Google and President of Google China, to the launch ceremony. Liu Yun, on behalf of YouTube, together with Li Hong, director of Hangzhou Tourism Commission, Wang Xinzhang, deputy director of Hangzhou Tourism Commission, and a number of Chinese and foreign guests and reporters, witnessed the release of the “Be the Modern Marco Polo Experience Program” campaign on four major international social …