A new airline satisfaction poll puts Southwest, JetBlue and Delta at the top of the charts. But Canadian airlines came away with below average scores. The annual J.D. Power North American Airline Satisfaction Study 2023 finds Southwest on top among Economy/Basic Economy airlines with a score of 827. Delta was number one for Premium Economy, totaling 848 points. For First Class/Business Class, JetBlue scored the best mark with 893 points. Air Canada was fifth out of six airlines in First/Business, with a mark of 830. That’s below the average score of 846 in the category. For Premium Economy, Air Canada Read more

The Canadian government has unveiled a new, more secure, high-tech passport. Officials also promise Canadians can renew their passports online starting later this year. “The new passport has been redesigned from cover to cover with state-of-the-art security features and new artwork, maintaining its status as one of the most secure and universally accepted travel documents in the world for all Canadians,” officials said today at a press conference at Ottawa International Airport. “The new passport includes state-of-the-art security features designed to keep Canadians’ identities safe, such as a polycarbonate data page—a technology similar to Canada’s driver’s licences. Passport holders’ personal Read more

Toronto Pearson Airport passenger traffic nearly doubled in the first quarter of this year. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority Passenger activity significantly increased by 4.8 million or 90.4 per cent to 10.0 million during the first quarter of 2023, when compared to the same period of 2022. Passenger activity increased due to the pent-up travel demand and the removal of pandemic-related government travel restrictions that existed during the first quarter of 2022. During the first quarter of 2023, passenger activity recovered to 86.0 per cent of the first quarter of 2019 passenger activity. “Strong growth in passenger traffic continuing into Read more

World tourism and travel is almost back to pre-pandemic levels, and 2024 should see travel numbers surpassing 2019 levels. The World Travel & Tourism Council’s Economic Impact Research shows the Travel & Tourism sector has reached more than 95% of its 2019 peak. In 2023, the sector is forecast to reach $9.5 trillion (USD) in spending, just five per cent below 2019 pre-pandemic levels, when travel was at its highest. Thirty four countries around the world have already exceeded 2019 levels.  In 2021 the global sector grew 24.7% year-on-year, and last year it grew a further 22% to reach a GDP Read more

Toronto Pearson Airport officials say a number of improvements should make this summer a much more enjoyable experience at Canada’s busiest, and most maligned, airport. Deborah Flint , the President and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (“GTAA”), today announced the comprehensive measures that Toronto Pearson is implementing to support a seamless, predictable, and enjoyable passenger experience during the summer travel rush. “Last summer was challenging for passengers, and we have responded with a full suite of process improvements and practices with our partners to deliver a more customer-centric and reliable experience ,” said Flint. “Our new approaches include Read more

Swoop has restarted non-stop service from Hamilton International Airport to Orlando, while Porter Airlines is kickstarting flights between Ottawa and Vancouver. Swoop, which bills itself as Canada’s leading ultra-low-cost airline, celebrated its first flight since 2020 to Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Saturday. “Swoop is cementing its position as the leading sun-flying ULCC, providing year-round service to Canadians’ favourite destinations across the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean,” officials said. “As Canada’s number one sun-flying ultra-low-cost airline, we are thrilled to offer our Hamiltonian’s year-round flights to Orlando International Airport,” said Bob Cummings, President of Swoop. “We know residents of southern Read more