Air Travel

FILE - Commercial airline passengers wait, and make their way through the ticketing level at Chicago’s Midway International Airport Friday, May 26, 2023, in Chicago. U.S. airfares are, on average, 15% lower now than they were a decade ago, and 6% lower than this time last year. The same cannot be said for many other purchasing categories where prices are increasing due to inflation. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Airfares dropping and they could be poised to drop even more

Cost of flying is bucking high inflation trend affecting so many other services

FILE - Commercial airline passengers wait, and make their way through the ticketing level at Chicago’s Midway International Airport Friday, May 26, 2023, in Chicago. U.S. airfares are, on average, 15% lower now than they were a decade ago, and 6% lower than this time last year. The same cannot be said for many other purchasing categories where prices are increasing due to inflation. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
Come Monday, Canadian travellers booked with the ultra-low-cost airline Lynx Air will be out of luck and its employees out of work. A plane arrives at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C. Wednesday, March 18, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Low-cost Lynx Air grounded permanently, flights to cease effective Monday

Airline blames inflation, fuel costs, exchange rates, cost of capital, regulatory costs, competition

Come Monday, Canadian travellers booked with the ultra-low-cost airline Lynx Air will be out of luck and its employees out of work. A plane arrives at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C. Wednesday, March 18, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
<div>Statistics Canada says the price of airfare fell more than 14 per cent in January versus the same month in 2023. WestJet passengers use a self-service kiosk in the domestic check-in area at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, May 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>

Air fares plummet in Canada as competition up, demand down

Ticket prices down over December, and over January, 2023, but still above 2019 levels

<div>Statistics Canada says the price of airfare fell more than 14 per cent in January versus the same month in 2023. WestJet passengers use a self-service kiosk in the domestic check-in area at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, May 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>
A WestJet logo is seen in the domestic check-in area at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, May 19, 2023. The fallout from a mid-flight panel blowout on a Boeing Co.-made plane last month has reached Canada, as WestJet faces indefinite delays on dozens of aircraft deliveries.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Blowout grounds WestJet plans to acquire multiple new Boeing planes

Production expansion at Boeing halted until safety concerns sufficiently addressed

A WestJet logo is seen in the domestic check-in area at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, May 19, 2023. The fallout from a mid-flight panel blowout on a Boeing Co.-made plane last month has reached Canada, as WestJet faces indefinite delays on dozens of aircraft deliveries.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Meagan Watson, left, and her wife Mindy are seen in a undated handout photo with their luggage. The Watsons were among thousands of WestJet customers whose trips were cancelled amid an extreme cold snap in Alberta earlier this month. Many say the airline refused to book them within two days despite a regulatory obligation to do so in most cases. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Watson family

Critics say WestJet ignoring passenger rights with rebooking frustrations

Multiple travellers say they haven’t been offered timely alternatives after cancellations

Meagan Watson, left, and her wife Mindy are seen in a undated handout photo with their luggage. The Watsons were among thousands of WestJet customers whose trips were cancelled amid an extreme cold snap in Alberta earlier this month. Many say the airline refused to book them within two days despite a regulatory obligation to do so in most cases. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Watson family
Richmond RCMP say officers had to put a spit hood on the head of an “aggressive” airline passenger who tried to bite officers after allegedly attacking a travel companion. The RCMP logo is seen outside the force’s ‘E’ division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Biting passenger restrained with spit hood at Vancouver Airport: police

Richmond RCMP say passenger was apprehended under the Mental Health Act

Richmond RCMP say officers had to put a spit hood on the head of an “aggressive” airline passenger who tried to bite officers after allegedly attacking a travel companion. The RCMP logo is seen outside the force’s ‘E’ division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Alaska Airlines N704AL, a 737 Max 9 which made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport after a part of the fuselage broke off mid-flight on Friday, is parked at a maintenance hanger in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)

What to know about the Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 jet that suffered a blowout

An emergency landing by an Alaska Airlines jetliner has prompted U.S. federal…

Alaska Airlines N704AL, a 737 Max 9 which made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport after a part of the fuselage broke off mid-flight on Friday, is parked at a maintenance hanger in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
FILE - Alaska Airlines planes are shown parked at gates at sunrise, March 1, 2021, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. An Alaska Airlines flight made an emergency landing in Oregon on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, after a window and chunk of its fuselage blew out in mid-air, media reports said. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Alaska Airlines grounds 737-9 aircraft after window blows out mid-air

The airline said the plane landed safely with 174 passengers and 6 crew members

FILE - Alaska Airlines planes are shown parked at gates at sunrise, March 1, 2021, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. An Alaska Airlines flight made an emergency landing in Oregon on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, after a window and chunk of its fuselage blew out in mid-air, media reports said. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Air Canada planes sit on the tarmac at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. The Canadian Transportation Agency says it’s issued a penalty to Air Canada for violating the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Air Canada fined $97K for neglecting wheelchair user

Disability violation penalized by the Canadian Transportation Agency

Air Canada planes sit on the tarmac at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. The Canadian Transportation Agency says it’s issued a penalty to Air Canada for violating the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
FILE - A Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 passenger airplane arrives following a flight from London to Seattle, March 27, 2017, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. The first commercial airliner to cross the Atlantic on a purely high-fat, low-emissions diet flew Tuesday Nov. 28, 2023 from London to New York in a step toward achieving what supporters dubbed as “jet zero." (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

‘Jet zero’: first fossil fuel-free trans-Atlantic commercial flight a success

High-fat low-emissions Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 travels successfully from London to New York

FILE - A Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 passenger airplane arrives following a flight from London to Seattle, March 27, 2017, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. The first commercial airliner to cross the Atlantic on a purely high-fat, low-emissions diet flew Tuesday Nov. 28, 2023 from London to New York in a step toward achieving what supporters dubbed as “jet zero." (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
<div>Statistics Canada says airfares have plummetted over the past year, as airlines shore up capacity even while consumers think twice about travel amid a higher cost of living. An Air Canada jet taxis at the airport, in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld</div>

Airline ticket prices fall 19 per cent amid less demand, more flights

Seat capacity among big Canadian carriers has rebounded to 92 per cent of 2019 level

<div>Statistics Canada says airfares have plummetted over the past year, as airlines shore up capacity even while consumers think twice about travel amid a higher cost of living. An Air Canada jet taxis at the airport, in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld</div>
Air Canada passengers check in at the Vancouver International Airport on June 17, 2008. Air Canada says the country’s passenger rights overhaul will hardly hurt its bottom line.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Passenger rights overhaul will barely dent bottom line, Air Canada says

‘But certainly it could have some impacts that may still be felt when we look forward’

Air Canada passengers check in at the Vancouver International Airport on June 17, 2008. Air Canada says the country’s passenger rights overhaul will hardly hurt its bottom line.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE - A United Airlines jetliner lifts off from a runway at Denver International Airport on June 10, 2020, in Denver. United Airlines says that it will start boarding passengers in economy class with window seats first starting next week, a move that will speed up boarding times for flights. The airline said in an internal memo that it will implement the plan on Oct. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Window seat passengers board first as United Airlines tries to speed loading

‘It spreads people out so that more people can put their luggage away at the same time’

FILE - A United Airlines jetliner lifts off from a runway at Denver International Airport on June 10, 2020, in Denver. United Airlines says that it will start boarding passengers in economy class with window seats first starting next week, a move that will speed up boarding times for flights. The airline said in an internal memo that it will implement the plan on Oct. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
The union representing WestJet cabin crew is demanding an apology from the airline after Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre delivered a speech on the public address system of a recent flight. A WestJet logo is seen in the domestic check-in area at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, May 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Poilievre says union should be the one saying sorry after WestJet speech

CUPE Alberta’s local 4070 said WestJet, Tory leader should apologize after he used PA in-flight

The union representing WestJet cabin crew is demanding an apology from the airline after Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre delivered a speech on the public address system of a recent flight. A WestJet logo is seen in the domestic check-in area at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, May 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A WestJet logo is seen in the domestic check-in area at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, May 19, 2023.The union representing WestJet cabin crew is demanding an apology from the airline after Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre delivered a speech on the public address system of a recent flight. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

WestJet ‘non-partisan’ CEO says after Poilievere in-flight PA speech

Flight in question added for convention and largely filled with Conservative delegates

A WestJet logo is seen in the domestic check-in area at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, May 19, 2023.The union representing WestJet cabin crew is demanding an apology from the airline after Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre delivered a speech on the public address system of a recent flight. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
<div>Though Canadian flights have long been dominated by Air Canada and WestJet, the emergence of newer carriers including Flair Airlines and Lynx Air has shaken up the sector, injecting fresh competition to a once-complacent market. A WestJet Airlines Boeing 737 Max aircraft taxis to a gate after arriving at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>

Lower airfares on the way due to Canada’s more crowded skies

New airline carriers are shaking up the status quo in some of Canada’s busiest routes

<div>Though Canadian flights have long been dominated by Air Canada and WestJet, the emergence of newer carriers including Flair Airlines and Lynx Air has shaken up the sector, injecting fresh competition to a once-complacent market. A WestJet Airlines Boeing 737 Max aircraft taxis to a gate after arriving at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>
FILE - An Air Canada Airbus A330 approaches for landing in Lisbon, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. Air Canada says it has apologized to two women who were booted off a flight by security after protesting that their seats were smeared in vomit. The airline said Tuesday, Sept. 5, that the passengers “clearly did not receive the standard of care to which they were entitled.” (AP Photo/Armando Franca, File)

Air Canada sorry after vomit smear complaint has 2 escorted off plane

Airline says operating procedures not followed correctly after incident described on social media

FILE - An Air Canada Airbus A330 approaches for landing in Lisbon, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. Air Canada says it has apologized to two women who were booted off a flight by security after protesting that their seats were smeared in vomit. The airline said Tuesday, Sept. 5, that the passengers “clearly did not receive the standard of care to which they were entitled.” (AP Photo/Armando Franca, File)
An Air Canada jet takes off from Trudeau Airport in Montreal on June 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Air Canada grounding multiple Calgary flights, cites pilot shortage

‘Industry-wide shortage of regional pilots is expected to have a prolonged impact’

An Air Canada jet takes off from Trudeau Airport in Montreal on June 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
(file photo)

Daytime flights return to Kelowna airport amid wildfire

Airspace restrictions have been in place since Aug. 18

  • Aug 24, 2023
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A tarantula is shown in a Canada Border Services Agency handout photo. The agency says officers discovered two live tarantulas hidden inside plastic containers at the Edmonton International Airport earlier this year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canada Border Services Agency

Border officers at Edmonton airport seize hidden tarantulas

Border agency says animals were legal to import, but were not being transported humanely

A tarantula is shown in a Canada Border Services Agency handout photo. The agency says officers discovered two live tarantulas hidden inside plastic containers at the Edmonton International Airport earlier this year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canada Border Services Agency