WestJet today revealed significantly increased transborder connectivity from Edmonton International Airport, with new routes from Edmonton to London, Ontario Moncton, Charlottetown and the resumption of nonstop flights to Ottawa, Montreal, Nanaimo and Penticton. The airline also announced non-stop service from Edmonton to Minneapolis, Minnesota and Seattle, Washington as part of its 2023 summer schedule.  WestJet’s renewed commitment to Edmonton will see the airline’s service increase by almost 50% this summer when compared to 2022. Additionally, today’s announcement underpins WestJet’s strategic ambitions to grow its presence across Western Canada and further strengthens Canada’s east to west connectivity. “Since our first day Read more

This was not my most pleasant air experience, so forgive me if I’m a little cranky. I got up at 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday of this week for a flight from Toronto to San Francisco. Terminal One at Toronto Pearson was having baggage issues and there was a big line-up at the check-in counter. I wasn’t in a great mood on the flight, I admit. But I read a book for a couple hours and tried to sleep, or at least rest comfortably. That, however, was pretty much impossible as a couple across the aisle from me played some kind Read more

Inflation is running rampant these days, and airlines aren’t immune. A top expert from Hopper says the news could get worse soon for Canadian consumers. “Canadian domestic airfare in February is averaging $285 per ticket, in line with 2022 prices,” Hopper Economist Hayley Berg told the website MTL Blog. But she says international flight prices from Canada are up 24% compared to 2022, currently averaging $873 per ticket. WESTJET PILOTS STRIKE POSSIBILITY The union representing pilots at WestJet is asking for federal conciliation after both sides have come to an impasse during contract talks. Canadian Press reports that the WestJet Read more

Hong Kong is ready to welcome visitors from all around the world once again with open arms and open doors. With the launch of the global promotional campaign “Hello Hong Kong”, Hong Kong is sending its greatest welcome to the world with 500,000 air tickets as well as city-wide offers covering “Hong Kong Goodies” visitor consumption vouchers, to entice travellers to come to experience Hong Kong’s diverse appeals. Dr. Pang Yiu-kai, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said: “Hong Kong is back on the map for global travellers, with more excitement to offer than ever before. We are Read more

U.S. News and World Report has come out with a list of the top 25 hotels in Canada. It’s a pretty good one, but a couple of things leave me curious. The publication put the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver, B.C., at the top of the list, which is quite reasonable. It’s a gorgeous hotel with massive rooms, beautiful bathrooms, and lovely, historic touches all around. The next four were  the Ritz Carlton, Montreal, 1Hotel Toronto, The Hazelton Hotel in Toronto and The Four Seasons Whistler. I quite like the 1Hotel Toronto, which has a very cool lobby bar and Read more

Intrepid Travel has launched an emergency appeal and committed $100,000 AUD through their not-for-profit, the Intrepid Foundation, to support immediate relief, aid, and rescue efforts in Turkey (the preferred name now is Türkiye) and Syria following the devastating earthquake. Intrepid Travel has further committed to donating all profits from bookings made on trips in Türkiye until April 30, 2023, to support the appeal. The Intrepid Foundation has partnered with Australian Red Cross to ensure funds are effectively allocated to provide immediate and longer-term relief to communities affected by the earthquakes. This will enable Red Cross and Red Crescent partners to Read more