Air Travel

FILE - A Viva Air passenger sleeps at the airport after the low-cost airline suspended its operations at the El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, Colombia, Feb. 28, 2023. Two to three hours is generally the minimum recommended time for an international layover, but in some cases that might not even be sufficient. Account for time to clear customs and go through security again, and you might also need to retrieve and recheck luggage. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

How much time do you need for an international layover?

With airplane transfers a fact of life, here’s how to make the most of their inevitability

FILE - A Viva Air passenger sleeps at the airport after the low-cost airline suspended its operations at the El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, Colombia, Feb. 28, 2023. Two to three hours is generally the minimum recommended time for an international layover, but in some cases that might not even be sufficient. Account for time to clear customs and go through security again, and you might also need to retrieve and recheck luggage. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Figures from an aviation data firm show Canada’s two biggest airlines see a far higher proportion of their flights delayed compared with many of their peers abroad. An Air Canada flight taxis to a runway as a WestJet flight takes off at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on March 20, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Flight delays at Canadian airlines far outstrip U.S. peers

Half of Air Canada flights, 64% of WestJet’s arrived late between June 19 and July 16

Figures from an aviation data firm show Canada’s two biggest airlines see a far higher proportion of their flights delayed compared with many of their peers abroad. An Air Canada flight taxis to a runway as a WestJet flight takes off at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on March 20, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canadian Press file

Canadians’ vacation plans hit by inflation, airline delays: Leger survey

1 in 3 have cancelled their vacations due to rising prices, survey finds

Canadian Press file
Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) signage is pictured outside TSB offices in Ottawa, Monday, May 1, 2023. Transportation Safety Board investigators have been called in following an “aircraft accident” at Boundary Bay Airport in Metro Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Safety board to investigate incident at B.C.’s Boundary Bay Airport

Paramedics took no one to hospital following incident involving single-engine plane

Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) signage is pictured outside TSB offices in Ottawa, Monday, May 1, 2023. Transportation Safety Board investigators have been called in following an “aircraft accident” at Boundary Bay Airport in Metro Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A WestJet Encore Bombardier Q400 twin-engined turboprop aircraft is prepared for a flight in Kamloops, B.C., Saturday, June 3, 2023. WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech says the integration of discount carriers Swoop and Sunwing Airlines into its mainline operation will tamp down costs and avoid higher fares for customers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

WestJet CEO pledges fares will not rise due to airline mergers

‘We will actually be able to operate more efficiently and also more reliably’

A WestJet Encore Bombardier Q400 twin-engined turboprop aircraft is prepared for a flight in Kamloops, B.C., Saturday, June 3, 2023. WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech says the integration of discount carriers Swoop and Sunwing Airlines into its mainline operation will tamp down costs and avoid higher fares for customers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
(Black Press Media Creative)

Family travel 5: A how-to guide to traveling with teens

Eager to travel with your teens? Planning together can make for a…

(Black Press Media Creative)
In this photo provided by Air New Zealand, a woman hands her bag to a staff member to be weighed ahead of a flight in Auckland, New Zealand, on May 29, 2023. New Zealand's national airline is asking people to step on the scales before they board international flights. Air New Zealand says it wants to weigh 10,000 passengers as part of a monthlong survey to better estimate the weight and balance of its planes. (Air New Zealand via AP)

New Zealand airline is asking passengers to weigh in before their flights

New Zealand’s national airline is asking passengers to step on the scales…

In this photo provided by Air New Zealand, a woman hands her bag to a staff member to be weighed ahead of a flight in Auckland, New Zealand, on May 29, 2023. New Zealand's national airline is asking people to step on the scales before they board international flights. Air New Zealand says it wants to weigh 10,000 passengers as part of a monthlong survey to better estimate the weight and balance of its planes. (Air New Zealand via AP)
The federal government is announcing a revamp of its trusted-traveller program to help clear clogged airports as the summer travel season kicks off. People line up before entering the security at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Friday, August 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Ottawa announces new trusted-traveller program to speed up airport lines

Program will open dedicated security screening lines at 6 of the country’s biggest airports by June 21

The federal government is announcing a revamp of its trusted-traveller program to help clear clogged airports as the summer travel season kicks off. People line up before entering the security at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Friday, August 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
A line at the WestJet counter at the airport in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, May 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

WestJet continues ramping back up after cancelled flights upend long weekend plans

Airline warns full resumption will take time, travellers should check before heading to airport

A line at the WestJet counter at the airport in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, May 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
WestJet has started to cancel flights as talks with the pilots’ union remained at a “critical impasse,” the company said in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, May 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

WestJet, pilots reach 11th-hour deal as strike averted

Some 1,800 pilots at WestJet and Swoop had been poised to walk off the job

WestJet has started to cancel flights as talks with the pilots’ union remained at a “critical impasse,” the company said in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, May 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Members of the Air Line Pilots Association demonstrate amid contract negotiations outside the WestJet headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Friday, March 31, 2023. Talks between WestJet and the pilots’ union continue as the clock counts down toward a Friday strike deadline. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

WestJet cancels 100-plus flights as pilot strike looms, negotiations in stalemate

Airline issued statement early Thursday saying negotiations were stuck ‘in a stalemate’

Members of the Air Line Pilots Association demonstrate amid contract negotiations outside the WestJet headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Friday, March 31, 2023. Talks between WestJet and the pilots’ union continue as the clock counts down toward a Friday strike deadline. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
WestJet Airlines pilots stand on a picket line at Toronto’s Pearson Airport on Monday May 8, 2023. WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech says a massive gap remains between the airline’s offer to pilots and the union’s counterproposal for a new contract as job action looms. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

WestJet CEO, pilots’ union head clash over compensation as strike looms

More than 1,800 pilots at WestJet and its Swoop subsidiary could walk off the job Friday

WestJet Airlines pilots stand on a picket line at Toronto’s Pearson Airport on Monday May 8, 2023. WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech says a massive gap remains between the airline’s offer to pilots and the union’s counterproposal for a new contract as job action looms. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Air Canada has announced a partnership with Flydubai that will offer more options for travellers headed to destinations in the Middle East, East Africa, Indian Subcontinent and Southern Asia. Air Canada planes sit on the tarmac at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Air Canada has announced a partnership with Flydubai that will offer more options for travellers headed to destinations in the Middle East, East Africa, Indian Subcontinent and Southern Asia. Air Canada planes sit on the tarmac at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Air Canada signs codeshare and interline partnership deal with Flydubai

Agreement should lead to more connections in Middle East, East Africa and Southern Asia

Air Canada has announced a partnership with Flydubai that will offer more options for travellers headed to destinations in the Middle East, East Africa, Indian Subcontinent and Southern Asia. Air Canada planes sit on the tarmac at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Air Canada has announced a partnership with Flydubai that will offer more options for travellers headed to destinations in the Middle East, East Africa, Indian Subcontinent and Southern Asia. Air Canada planes sit on the tarmac at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
WestJet Airlines pilots stand on a picket line at Toronto’s Pearson Airport on Monday May 8, 2023. The travel plans of WestJet customers are up in the air after its pilots’ union issued a 72-hour strike notice last night. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

WestJet customers holding their breath as strike notice jeopardizes travel plans

‘I don’t have that extra money to pay for another flight, so we are essentially screwed here’

WestJet Airlines pilots stand on a picket line at Toronto’s Pearson Airport on Monday May 8, 2023. The travel plans of WestJet customers are up in the air after its pilots’ union issued a 72-hour strike notice last night. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Members of the Air Line Pilots Association demonstrate amid contract negotiations outside the WestJet headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Friday, March 31, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Union says WestJet pilots issue 72-hour strike notice, plan job action Friday

Union represents some 1,600 flight crew at WestJet and subsidiary Swoop

Members of the Air Line Pilots Association demonstrate amid contract negotiations outside the WestJet headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Friday, March 31, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A plane is silhouetted as it takes off from Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., Monday, May 13, 2019. 	Pilots are speaking out against an aviation industry push toward a sole crew member in the cockpit. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Pilots decry industry push for solo flying

Union says proposal by Europe’s aviation regulator aims to boost profits at the expense of safety

A plane is silhouetted as it takes off from Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., Monday, May 13, 2019. 	Pilots are speaking out against an aviation industry push toward a sole crew member in the cockpit. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Bell is teaming up with Air Canada to offer free messaging for all Aeroplan members worldwide on Wi-Fi-equipped airplanes across the air carrier’s fleet. An Air Canada flight departing for Calgary takes off at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, March 20, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Bell to offer free messaging for Aeroplan members on Air Canada flights

Bell is teaming up with Air Canada to offer free messaging for…

Bell is teaming up with Air Canada to offer free messaging for all Aeroplan members worldwide on Wi-Fi-equipped airplanes across the air carrier’s fleet. An Air Canada flight departing for Calgary takes off at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, March 20, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Travellers wait in line at a check-in desk at Trudeau Airport in Montreal, Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Canadian airports and airlines yielded a large number of flight delays last month, raising questions about their readiness for the summer travel rush. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Weak on-time record of Canadian airports, airlines raises questions for summer travel

Air Canada’s on-time arrivals rate was 57.3 per cent in March versus 69.6 per cent in March 2019

Travellers wait in line at a check-in desk at Trudeau Airport in Montreal, Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Canadian airports and airlines yielded a large number of flight delays last month, raising questions about their readiness for the summer travel rush. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra speaks at a news conference on proposed changes to air passenger rights, in Ottawa, on Monday, April 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Passenger rights overhaul draws criticism from both sides — airlines and advocates

Canada trying to close loopholes that allow airlines to avoid compensating people for cancellations

Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra speaks at a news conference on proposed changes to air passenger rights, in Ottawa, on Monday, April 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The Russian airspace ban means pricier flights for Canadian travellers and airlines. A flight arrives at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C. Wednesday, March 18, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Russian airspace ban means pricier flights for Canadian travellers and airlines

Some airlines having to reroute flights on hours-long delays to get to destinations in Asia, Middle East

The Russian airspace ban means pricier flights for Canadian travellers and airlines. A flight arrives at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C. Wednesday, March 18, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward