A major snowstorm in southern British Columbia is having “an uprecedented impact” on flights at Vancouver International Airport, officials said today. “The winter storm and severe snowfall has had an unprecedented impact on flights and operations at YVR, with mass cancellations. Travel continues to be significantly impacted this morning & we anticipate cancellations to continue through the day and the week ahead,” airport officials said on their @flyyvr Twitter feed. FlightAware.com reports 146 cancelled flights as of 1:45 p.m. Pacific Standard Time today, or roughly 33% of all daily flights. “We recognize the affect these cancellations have on our community. Read more

A new study finds that Americans might change their plans a little due to inflation and economic issues, but a strong majority are planning to travel. Further conveying the steadfastness of the American traveler, new research shows that today’s global economy continues to impact how and when most Americans will travel – but not if they’ll take a trip. According to new data by MMGY Travel Intelligence, 6 in 10 U.S. adults (58%) plan to take a vacation in the next six months despite inflation, the rising cost of travel and other economic factors. Among those not planning to vacation Read more

Canadians have a new way to fly between Toronto and Halifax. Porter Airlines is introducing the newest route with its Embraer jets, with multiple daily, non-stop, roundtrip flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ). Porter has been serving the Halifax community since 2007. Passengers can now choose to travel with Porter using two Toronto airports on this popular route, including the downtown convenience of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Pearson service begins February 23, 2023. Porter recently announced it would fly its new jets between Toronto Pearson and Calgary, as well as Pearson to Read more

Canadian airlines had a rough summer, but some airlines were much better than others. New data published today by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) shows the number of air travel complaints submitted to the CTA per 100 flights operated by Canadian and foreign airlines. It’s an interesting read that could surprise some travellers. The tables include: • air travel complaint data submitted during 3-month time periods • airlines that operated a minimum of 100 flights to/from/within Canada during each time period • airlines with an average of 1 or more complaints per 100 flights The table published today shows Air Read more

Toronto Pearson is gearing up a very busy holiday season. UK airports could allow large bottles of liquids in carry-on bags by June of 2024. Amsterdam is asking rowdy visitors to stay home. U.S. airport gun seizures are up. And Air Transat resumes Montreal-Havana flights. My travel news roundup for Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. PEARSON PREPARES FOR BIG HOLIDAY CROWDS It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but the December holiday season also means peak crowds at Canadian airports. Toronto Pearson, Canada’s busiest air gateway, says it expects 130,000 customers to pass through its two terminals EVERY Read more

It was a pretty good year for travel outside Canada, with numerous trips to California, a couple to Hawaii, one to Florida, a river cruise in Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, and two weeks in Western Australia and New South Wales. From Santa Monica to Sydney and Maui to Vienna, here are some of my top experiences, fave foods and hotels of 2022. BEST ISLAND PHOTO: The Abrolhos Islands of Western Australia, as seen from my scenic flight with Geraldton Air Charter. We spotted pods of dolphins from the air. You also can take a trip that includes a nice swim Read more