News from Air Transit, Brand USA and Explora Journeys for today’s blog post.
AIR TRANSAT BEGINS OTTAWA-LONDON FLIGHTS
London England. Lucas Davies/Unsplash Photo
Air Transat has begun new non-stop service between Ottawa and London Gatwick. The first flights operated on Friday, May 15, marking the launch of a new link between the Canadian and British capitals.
“We are the only airline offering a non-stop flight between Ottawa and London Gatwick. It’s something we’re truly proud of and a meaningful addition for travellers in the Ottawa–Gatineau region,” said Sebastian Ponce, Chief Revenue Officer at Transat. “Combined with the connections offered by our partner Porter Airlines from multiple cities across Canada and the United States, this route positions Ottawa as a genuine gateway to Europe. It perfectly reflects the type of growth we’re focused on – targeted, well-connected routes that strengthen our position in the transatlantic market.”
Flights will be operated three times a week – on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays – until October 23, 2026.
London, of course, is one of the world’s great cities. Ottawa is a very underrated city as well, and a great jumping off point to explore Montreal, Quebec, and eastern Ontario.
BRAND USA LAUNCHES NEW VISITOR PROGRAMS
It’s not the easiest time to sell travel to the United States, but the folks at Brand USA are still pushing the cause.
Brand USA President and CEO Fred Dixon this week announced a major expansion of the organization’s America the Beautiful brand platform. Two new supporting initiatives expand the organization’s messaging: Get Facts. Get Going., an always-on effort designed to provide real-time information on visa and entry policies, fees, and more to combat misperceptions; and American Originals, a new content and storytelling series spotlighting the people, places, and experiences that are uniquely American.
The hiking is sensational in North Carolina. This is near Blowing Rock, NC. JIM BYERS PHOTO
The new initiatives being announced this week at U.S. Travel Association’s IPW in Fort Lauderdale, Florida targeting leisure tourism, and at IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany targeting international business events — reflect the organization’s focus on growing international travel demand and boosting travel exports that impact the U.S. economy and communities. The announcement comes as the USA is readying to host significant major events beginning next month, including the FIFA World Cup, America’s 250th anniversary, and the Route 66 Centennial.
“In line with our mission to impact the U.S. economy through travel exports, we have an opportunity to further build traveler confidence and inspire visitation,” said Dixon. “With our expanded platform, we are introducing American Originals, which spotlights the people and places who originated the styles, sounds, and tastes the world loves while Get Facts. Get Going. serves as a single source of information to address misperceptions head-on.
“We want international visitors to know that we are open for business and warmly welcome them.”
Many Canadians are avoiding the U.S. these days, but there are many tremendous places to explore and discover when the time is right.
EXPLORA JOURNEYS OPENS SUMMER 2028 COLLECTION
Explora Journeys has opened sales for its Summer 2028 Journeys Collection, a milestone season defined by the arrival of EXPLORA VI. Her debut in August 2028 brings the fleet to its full six-ship scale, realizing the brand’s original vision on time and exactly as planned at its inception. Spanning 178 destinations across 27 countries, the new collection represents a significant expansion of the brand’s global presence, with all six ships sailing the world’s oceans together for the first time.
The new collection captures the Mediterranean’s timeless allure alongside the elemental landscapes of Northern Europe, Iceland and Greenland. From the pristine Alaskan wilderness to the historic waterways of the North American East Coast during the height of the autumnal shift, every itinerary is shaped by the philosophy of unhurried discovery. Iconic overnights in cities like New York, Reykjavik and Istanbul are balanced with maiden calls to remote island retreats such as Korčula and the Faroe Islands. In many ports, late departures allow guests to experience the evolving energy from day to night, offering a more soulful connection to each destination.
Istanbul, Turkiye. Hoffman/Pexels photo
Summer 2028 Overview
- EXPLORA I:From April through October, the ship visits six countries and 25 destinations in the Mediterranean, meandering through the island constellations of the Aegean to the sculpted shores of the Adriatic. Guests can uncover the Cyclades, the Dodecanese and the Turkish Coast, experiencing the nightlife of Mykonos with a late departure and the cultural vibrancy of Istanbul with an overnight stay.
- EXPLORA II:Exploring the sun-drenched Western Mediterranean, North Africa and the French and Italian Rivieras, the ship visits 36 destinations across Iberia and the Atlantic edge from April through October. Itineraries weave from the vibrant Balearic Islands to the lush landscapes of Madeira, featuring an overnight stay in Lisbon and late departures from eight ports including Ibiza, Capri and Casablanca.
- EXPLORA III:Returning to the pristine wilderness of Alaska from May through September, the ship navigates 20 destinations across the USA and Canada. Itineraries feature scenic sailings through the Inside Passage and the Gulf of Alaska, providing an unparalleled vantage point for the Hubbard Glacier alongside calls to Juneau, Skagway and smaller communities such as Wrangell and Klawock.
- EXPLORA IV:From May through October, the ship traverses Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea, uncovering 51 destinations across 15 countries. Guests can cycle along the historic canals of Amsterdam or stroll the royal parks of Stockholm during immersive overnight stays, while 11 maiden calls, including Runavík in the Faroe Islands and Djúpivogur in Iceland, reveal the region’s more remote shores.
- EXPLORA V:Between May and September, the ship explores the Baltic Sea, the Norwegian fjords and the North Atlantic before reaching the volcanic coastlines of Iceland and Greenland. The season then transitions to the North American Eastern Seaboard to witness the autumn foliage, with overnights in New York City and Quebec City and late departures from Halifax and Boston.
- EXPLORA VI: From August to November 2028, the newest ship in the fleet illuminates a softer perspective on the Mediterranean across 13 Journeys. Starting with her Maiden Journey from Rome to Barcelona, itineraries weave through Sicily, Sardinia and the French Riviera. As the season mellows into October and November, the ship ventures into the Adriatic to discover the historic ports of Trogir and Dubrovnik and the UNESCO-protected Bay of Kotor.
To celebrate the launch of the new Summer 2028 Journeys Collection, Explora Journeys continues to offer its Early Booking Benefit. This initiative rewards guests who choose to plan their future Journeys well in advance, providing preferred rates and the first opportunity to secure specific suites on the Inaugural Journeys Collection of EXPLORA VI.
FLAIR AIRLINES LAUNCHES TORONTO-MONCTON FLIGHTS
Hopewell Rocks is only a half hour from Moncton, New Brunswick. Destination Canada Photo
Flair Airlines has launched service from Toronto Pearson to Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport in New Brunswick.
Taking off for the first time on May 15, the new route runs three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through to Oct. 23, 2026.
Moncton is a nice city and a fine jumping off point for touring the underrated province of New Brunswick.
