WestJet is apologizing for a weekend outage that wreaked havoc with the company and its customers, while Sunwing says its operational issues should be resolved by tomorrow. WestJet officials say their issue is under control but that it could take a few days for things to return to normal. CTV reports more than 200 flights were cancelled on the weekend, causing major headaches for travellers. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Diederik Pen put out the following statement late Sunday. “On Saturday November 5, WestJet experienced a system-wide outage that impacted operations across our network due to a cooling Read more

Atlantic Canada is filled with autumn experiences that will leave visitors transformed by the region’s beauty, food and culture. Despite recent extreme weather events, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia remain open for business and eager to welcome visitors to experience the East Coast’s seasonal delights. Here’s your checklist of must-do activities in the coming months: New Brunswick Fun times on the Fundy – See fall’s ever-shifting hues on a road trip through the spectacular Fundy Coast. Here, the world’s highest tides, charming communities and a dramatic coastline make for a delightful drive. Allot seven to 10 days to explore the Read more

Opposition MPs joined forces on Wednesday to pass a motion calling for an audit into the federal government’s border application ArriveCan. CTV News reports that the motion, which passed 174 to 149, with the backing of Conservative, Bloc Quebecois, and NDP MPs, calls on the Auditor General of Canada to “conduct a performance audit, including the payments, contracts and sub-contracts for all aspects of the ArriveCan app, and to prioritize this investigation.” Federal politicians have been in a tizzy since news leaked out that Ottawa had spent $54 million on the app, which required Canadians and visitors to report their Read more

Toronto Pearson Airport says security delays are improving significantly. They’ve also brought in a new program that allows passengers to pre-book a spot in line for security screening, and they’ll introduce a new trusted traveller initiative later this year. Officials at Canada’s busiest airport say they’ve introduced a new program called YYZ Express, which allows departing travellers to reserve a spot in the security line ahead of their flight. This virtual booking system was introduced to help streamline the passenger flow and ease wait times for travellers flying international and domestic routes. “We’re committed to equipping passengers with digital solutions Read more

Canadians’ holiday travel budgets are more than double what they were last year, a trend that bodes well for airlines and the tourism industry. IBM’s Holiday Shopping and Travel Report finds that, in response to economic disruption and financial strain, Canadian consumers are rethinking their wish lists, with many diverting their holiday budgets from shopping to travel. This holiday season, Canadians are more concerned about rising costs and inflation (64%) than COVID-19 (56%), and they are recalibrating their celebration plans accordingly. – Compared to last year, Canadians’ holiday travel budgets are up by 131%, significantly higher than the global average Read more

After a brief hiatus, Air Canada enRoute is thrilled to present the anticipated Top 10 list of Canada’s Best New Restaurants, with Toronto’s Restaurant 20 Victoria taking the number one spot. Toronto also had the number three spot (MIMI Chinese) and number seven spot (Fonda Balam). Calgary had two restaurants in the top 10, Major Tom and Một Tô. Led by chef Julie Hyde, Restaurant 20 Victoria features an upfront bar area for à la carte plates and an elegant dining room and patio for the six-course tasting menu. In second place, Montreal’s Mastard showcases Quebec terroir with fresh seasonal Read more