Tag Archives: Toronto

Air Canada inaugurates Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner service to Delhi, India

Air Canada (Montreal) on November 1, as planned, inaugurated new service between Toronto (Pearson) and Delhi . The new route offers the only nonstop flight between Canada and the Indian subcontinent and is the first to be dedicated for Air Canada’s Boeing 787-9 series aircraft, the most modern aircraft in its fleet.

The service will operate four-times-weekly, going to daily in 2016.

Additionally, with the departure of flight AC056, Air Canada on November 3 will inaugurate new service between Toronto (Pearson) and Dubai , the newest addition to its growing international network.

The three-times-weekly service to Dubai will be operated with the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in a three cabin configuration, including next generation lie-flat seats in International Business Class, a Premium Economy cabin, and upgraded In-Flight Entertainment available at every seat throughout the aircraft.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner C-FNOE (msn 35265) is tugged at the Toronto hub.

Air Canada aircraft slide show:

Air Canada announces a new Toronto-Seoul nonstop route

Air Canada (Montreal) has announced the introduction of nonstop flights between Toronto (Pearson) and Seoul, South Korea as part of its ongoing expansion of international services. The new year-round nonstop flights between Toronto’s Pearson International Airport and Seoul’s Incheon International Airport will begin on June 17, 2016 with daily service.

The new Toronto-Seoul nonstop flights will be operated with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.

In addition to new Toronto-Delhi and Dubai routes to be operated with Boeing 787-9 aircraft beginning in November 2015, Toronto–Istanbul will be converted to Boeing Dreamliner service effective May 2016, joining Toronto–Copenhagen, Zurich, Tel Aviv, Tokyo-Narita (summer) and select Toronto and Vancouver flights to London-Heathrow as well as Vancouver–Tokyo-Narita, Seoul and Brisbane. Air Canada will also begin operating its international flights from Calgary to Tokyo-Narita, London-Heathrow and Frankfurt with Boeing 787 aircraft beginning in 2016.

By Summer 2016, the following routes operated with Boeing 777-300 ER and 777-200 LR aircraft will also feature Air Canada’s new international product standard unveiled with the Boeing Dreamliner as the airline converts all 25 of its Boeing 777 aircraft to offer a consistent international product and a choice of Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy cabins: Toronto–London-Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Tokyo-Haneda, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Vancouver–Beijing, Shanghai and Sydney, Australia.

Toronto-Seoul flights will be operated with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft offering a choice of 20 International Business Class lie-flat seat suites, 21 Premium Economy and 210 Economy Class seats featuring upgraded in-flight entertainment at every seat throughout the aircraft. Flights are timed to optimize connectivity to and from Air Canada’s extensive North and South American network through the airline’s Toronto hub.

Since 2009, Air Canada has increased its system-wide international capacity, measured by seats, by approximately 50 per cent. This year, Air Canada launched new international services from Montreal to Venice and Mexico City, Vancouver to Osaka, and Toronto to Amsterdam. In November, the airline will launch nonstop service to Dubai and Delhi from Toronto and it has also announced new service beginning in 2016 to Prague, Budapest, Warsaw, Glasgow and London-Gatwick from Toronto; Brisbane from Vancouver, and Lyon and Casablanca from Montreal.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner C-GHPX (msn 35261) taxies at the Toronto (Pearson) hub.

Air Canada aircraft slide show:

WestJet’s first Boeing 767-300 ER enters revenue service

WestJet (Calgary), as previously reported, yesterday (October 22) placed its first Boeing 767-300 ER into revenue service between Toronto (Pearson) and Calgary. The company issued this statement:

WestJet’s first Boeing 767-300 extended-range aircraft performed its inaugural flight on October 22, departing Toronto Pearson International Airport at 9 a.m. EDT. Operating as WestJet flight 655, the aircraft arrived at Calgary International Airport.

Featuring a new teal and blue maple leaf-themed logo, which will eventually appear on all WestJet aircraft, the airline’s 767-300s seat 262 guests and have a range of approximately 11 hours. The aircraft will include a Plus cabin with 24 premium seats in a two-by-two configuration, hot meals and all other amenities associated with Plus. The main cabin has 238 seats, with two seats on either side of the aircraft and three in the middle. By next spring all four 767s will be equipped with WestJet Connect, the airline’s new inflight entertainment and wireless connectivity system.

Beginning May 2016, WestJet will begin serving London (Gatwick) on a nonstop basis from six Canadian cities including Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto and St. John’s. With the exception of service from St. John’s, all London flights will operate on WestJet’s fleet of 767-300 extended-range aircraft.

Top Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Ex-QANTAS Airways Boeing 767-338 ER C-FOGJ (msn 25274) taxies to runway on the first revenue flight at Toronto (Pearson). Note the new Maple Leaf logo.

WestJet aircraft slide show:

Video Below: A tour of the first Boeing 767-300:

Bottom Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. The two Disney World tails together at Toronto.

WestJet video: The unveiling of Disney’s Frozen-theme Boeing 737-800:

WestJet Encore to serve London, Ontario

WestJet (Calgary) announced today it will launch new, twice-daily WestJet Encore service between London, Ontario, and Toronto Pearson International Airport on board WestJet Encore’s fleet of Canadian-made Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft beginning on March 15, 2016.

The new service opens up 52 new WestJet destinations and 47 new codeshare destinations via Toronto Pearson to Eastern Canada, the United States, Caribbean, Mexico and Europe.

Top Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) C-FENY (msn 4447) taxies at the Toronto (Pearson) hub.

Westjet aircraft slide show:

Westjet Encore aircraft slide show:

Wow Air is coming to Montreal and Toronto

Wow Air (Keflavik) has announced it will add two new low-fare routes starting in May 2016 to both Montreal (Trudeau) (starting on May 12) and Toronto (Pearson) (May 20) from Keflavik (near Reykjavik).

The new routes will utilize 200-seat Airbus A321s. The routes will be year-round and will operate four days a week.

Read the full report from Business News Network:

Wow Air aircraft slide show:

American Airlines to fly to Merida, Mexico

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) will add new service to Merida, Mexico – a new destination for its global network. The new service will start on March 3, 2016 to Manuel Crescencio Rejon International Airport (MID) from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

The new route will be operated five days a week with Airbus A319s.

American Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):

Porter Airlines to fly seasonally to Melbourne, Florida

Porter Airlines (Toronto-Billy Bishop Airport) has announced it has selected Melbourne International Airport (MLB) as its first entry into the Florida market.

The weekly seasonal flights will commence December 19 from Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ), located on an island in the heart of Toronto.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (marketed as the Q400) C-GLQP (msn 4271) arrives at Washington’s Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Porter Airlines aircraft slide show:

Air Canada announces new rouge European destinations + Casablanca

Air Canada (Montreal) has announced one of its most far-reaching summer schedule expansions ever with its first route to Africa and the addition of four major European cities to its global network. The new Air Canada rouge service to Casablanca, Morocco , means Air Canada will be one of only a dozen airlines in the world that serve six continents.

“Air Canada is solidifying its position among leading global carriers by becoming one of only a dozen airlines flying to six continents with today’s announcement of non-stop service to Casablanca, our first destination in Africa. Our Montreal – Casablanca flight will also be the only service to North Africa by a North American carrier and our aim is to transform this new route into a year-round operation. Our new, nonstop Air Canada rouge routes to Budapest, Prague, Warsaw, and Glasgow from Toronto Pearson are equally important as we continue to build out our network from our global gateway hub with more international destinations. The European services will be complemented by our Star Alliance partners, giving customers an even wider choice of travel options,” said Benjamin Smith , President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada.

All the new services will be operated by Air Canada rouge (Toronto), Air Canada’s leisure carrier. All flights will be flown using a 280-seat Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft offering a choice of premium and economy cabins. Customers will have the ability to collect and redeem Aeroplan miles. Seats are now available for purchase. To promote these new nonstop routes, Air Canada is offering a special introductory fare starting as low as CAD$869 roundtrip, all-in for travel before July 2016 .

Route Details:

Toronto – Prague : service begins May 29, 2016 with flight AC1922 and operates three times weekly. Departs Toronto at 16:55 on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, arriving in Prague at 7:20 the next day. Return flight AC1923 departs Prague at 9:30 and arrives in Toronto 12:40 on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Service ends for the season on September 29, 2016.

Montreal – Casablanca : service begins June 3, 2016 with flight AC1936 and operates four times weekly, subject to obtaining the necessary government approvals. Departs Montreal at 21:40 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, arriving in Casablanca at 10:00 the next day. Return flight AC1937 departs Casablanca at 11:55 and arrives in Montreal at 14:45 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Service ends for the season on October 17, 2016 .

Toronto – Budapest : service begins June 10, 2016 with flight AC1910 and operates three times weekly. Departs Toronto at 22:35 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, arriving in Budapest 13:35 the next day. Return flight AC1911 departs Budapest at 15:05 and arrives in Toronto at 18:45 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Service ends for the season on October 15, 2016 .

Toronto – Glasgow : service begins June 13, 2016 with flight AC1938 and operates three times weekly. Departs Toronto at 18:55 on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, arriving in Glasgow at 6:40 the next day. Return flight AC1939 departs Glasgow at 8:25 and arrives in Toronto 10:50 on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Service ends for the season on September 25, 2016 .

Toronto – Warsaw : service begins June 16, 2016 with flight AC1926 and operates three times weekly. Departs Toronto at 18:30 on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, arriving in Warsaw at 9:30 the next day. Return flight AC1927 departs Warsaw at 11:00 and arrives Toronto 14:50 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Service ends for the season on September 30, 2016 .

Since 2009, Air Canada has increased its system-wide international capacity, measured by seats, by approximately 50 percent. This year, Air Canada launched new international services from Montreal to Venice and Mexico , Vancouver to Osaka, and Toronto to Amsterdam . In November, the airline will launch nonstop service to Dubai and Delhi from Toronto and it has also announced new service beginning in 2016 to Brisbane from Vancouver, to Lyon from Montreal, and to London – Gatwick from Toronto.

Air Canada aircraft slide show:

Air Canada rouge aircraft slide show:

SkyGreece Airlines to file for bankruptcy protection and reorganization

SkyGreece Airlines (Athens) was a short-lived airline with interests in both Greece and Canada. The airline started operations on June 22, 2014 and abruptly ended all operations last month stranding passengers, especially in Canada. The company has issued this statement about its intention to file for bankruptcy protection in Canada:

SkyGreece Airlines, S.A. on September 3 announced that, with the authorization and approval of its board of directors, the company has filed a Notice of Intention to Make a Proposal (Notice of Intention) pursuant to the provisions of Part III of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) (Canada).

Pursuant to the Notice of Intention, Ernst & Young Inc. (EY) has been appointed as the trustee in the company’s proposal proceedings (the Proposal Trustee) and in that capacity will monitor and assist the company in its restructuring efforts.

It was determined by the company’s board of directors that as a result of the company’s current financial situation, seeking protection under the BIA would be in the best interests of the company and all of its stakeholders. This was a very difficult decision for SkyGreece. The company ultimately determined that this was the best course of action to ensure that all of its creditors, including passengers, were treated equitably. While under BIA protection, the company will continue with its efforts to resume service, while determining the best way to see that all parties are compensated fairly.

A Notice of Intention is the first stage of a restructuring process and allows the company to pursue a restructuring of its financial affairs and operations, through a formal Proposal to creditors. This filing has the effect of imposing an automatic stay of proceedings (Stay) that will protect the company and its assets from the claims of creditors and others while the company pursues its restructuring.

SkyGreece was founded with a commitment to providing economical, customer-focused air travel between Athens, Toronto, Montreal, Budapest, Zagreb and New York. In spite of its recent challenges, the company looks forward to serving passengers again soon and to doing everything it can to take care of those passengers who have been recently affected.

SkyGreece is actively working to quickly improve customer communications by establishing a customer and creditor support centre, which it hopes to have operational in the coming days.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyGreece Airlines Boeing 767-31A ER SX-BPN (msn 26470) is pictured sitting at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

United Airlines boosts in-flight entertainment with more content on more aircraft

United Airlines (Chicago) has announced “complimentary personal device entertainment is now available on regional jet aircraft”. The in-flight entertainment offerings now includes expanded HBO content, Vevo videos and concerts. The company issued these further details:
United Airlines is continuing the expansion of its “United Private Screening” in-flight entertainment with the launch of free personal device entertainment on two-cabin United Express regional jets; expanded HBO programming; and exclusively curated content from Vevo, the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform.

United currently has one of the largest offerings of free streaming entertainment – already on more than 200 United aircraft – with scores of television shows and movies available for streaming directly to travelers’ laptop computers and iOS and Android mobile devices.

Customers on flights with personal device entertainment may enjoy popular films like “Birdman,” “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” and the “Taken” trilogy, as well as kid-friendly favorites such as “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” and “The LEGO Movie.” Hours of popular television shows are also available and may include HBO’s “Veep” and “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst,” as well as “Mad Men,” “Orange is the New Black” and other hit shows.

Above Photo: United Airlines.

Regional Jet Entertainment and Onboard Experience

United has begun rolling out personal device entertainment on its fleet of more than 120 Wi-Fi-equipped United Express Embraer E170, E175 (above) and Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets, with more than half of these aircraft now offering free streaming entertainment. The airline plans to offer the service on all Wi-Fi-equipped regional jets by the end of next week.

The launch of personal device entertainment on regional jets follows United’s introduction this year of an all-new premium-cabin experience on United Express, featuring freshly prepared meals served on chinaware on regional jet flights of at least 800 miles.

Expanded HBO Content

Additionally, the airline has expanded HBO content on aircraft that offer personal device entertainment as well as on those with seatback on-demand entertainment. Available HBO entertainment includes full seasons of popular television shows such as “Entourage,” “Game of Thrones” and “True Detective.”

Videos and Concert Entertainment from Vevo

United has also joined with Vevo to offer hundreds of music videos and concert performances for customers to view at no charge on United aircraft offering personal device entertainment. Vevo content is also available through seatback on-demand entertainment.

Tribeca Film Festival

Meanwhile, United is in its second year as the official airline of the Tribeca Film Festival. Flights with live television, seatback on-demand entertainment and personal device entertainment offer unique in-flight content curated by Tribeca, including independent feature narratives and documentaries as well as short films.

Tablet Rentals

This summer, United also launched a pilot program offering tablets for rent on Boeing 777 flights between the continental United States and Honolulu and between Honolulu and Guam. The 8.4-inch tablets contain stored entertainment, including television shows, movies and games.

In-flight Entertainment Availability

United aircraft offer several in-flight entertainment options, with Wi-Fi also available on 85 percent of mainline aircraft and regional jets receiving the technology. In addition:

United plans to install personal device entertainment on more than 650 mainline and regional aircraft, including its intercontinental fleet;
The airline operates more than 200 intercontinental and p.s. Premium Service aircraft with seatback on-demand entertainment; and
Another 227 mainline aircraft offer live television, more than any other airline in the world.
Customers may learn before departure which entertainment option will be available by checking their flight status at united.com or via the United mobile app.

Top Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (E175) N86322 (msn 17000465) prepares to land at Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

United Express-Mesa Airlines aircraft slide show: