Travel

Mandalena Lewis poses for a photo at her home in Victoria on Monday, April 29, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. high court certifies former flight attendant’s class-action suit against WestJet

Ruling says the case centres on alleged failure to uphold the company’s anti-harassment promise

Mandalena Lewis poses for a photo at her home in Victoria on Monday, April 29, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Mickey and Minnie Mouse perform during a parade as they pass by the Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The theme park resort announced Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, that face coverings will be optional for fully-vaccinated visitors in all indoor and outdoor locations, with one exception. Face masks still will be needed for visitors ages 2 and older on enclosed transportation, such as the resort’s monorail, buses and the resort’s sky gondola. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Walt Disney World in Orlando lifts last of its facemask requirements

Masks now only optional for all areas of resort

Mickey and Minnie Mouse perform during a parade as they pass by the Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The theme park resort announced Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, that face coverings will be optional for fully-vaccinated visitors in all indoor and outdoor locations, with one exception. Face masks still will be needed for visitors ages 2 and older on enclosed transportation, such as the resort’s monorail, buses and the resort’s sky gondola. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Vehicles lined up at the Pacific Highway border crossing in south Surrey. (DriveBC photo)

B.C. holiday travellers find long waits at borders, ferries, airports

Some have waited for hours to get to their final destination

Vehicles lined up at the Pacific Highway border crossing in south Surrey. (DriveBC photo)
A plane is seen through the window on the tarmac of Vancouver International Airport as the waiting room is empty Tuesday, June 9, 2020. Air Canada says it is suspending flights between Vancouver and Delhi this summer due to extended flying times and a refueling stop that are needed to avoid Russian and Ukraine airspace. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Air Canada to suspend flights between Vancouver and Delhi this summer

Flights unavailable from early June to early September due to Ukraine war

A plane is seen through the window on the tarmac of Vancouver International Airport as the waiting room is empty Tuesday, June 9, 2020. Air Canada says it is suspending flights between Vancouver and Delhi this summer due to extended flying times and a refueling stop that are needed to avoid Russian and Ukraine airspace. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
People wear masks as a precaution due to the coronavirus outbreak as they arrive at the International terminal at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Saturday, January 25, 2020. As of tomorrow, vaccinated travellers will no longer need a COVID-19 test to enter Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Starting Friday, vaccinated travellers to Canada don’t need a COVID-19 test

Travel agents report surge in demand for flights since the change was announced two weeks ago

People wear masks as a precaution due to the coronavirus outbreak as they arrive at the International terminal at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Saturday, January 25, 2020. As of tomorrow, vaccinated travellers will no longer need a COVID-19 test to enter Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
February 14, 2022 - Christopher Causton, Susan Lundy, Bruce Cameron and dog Zorro take a walk through Oak Bay's back alleys and thru-ways. Don Denton photo

Oak Bay back alley bliss

Taking the road less travelled

  • Mar 30, 2022
February 14, 2022 - Christopher Causton, Susan Lundy, Bruce Cameron and dog Zorro take a walk through Oak Bay's back alleys and thru-ways. Don Denton photo
Highway 3 closed at Hope, vehicles being turned around due to flooding in November. Upgrades to cell service are intended to make travel along the highway safer. (Facebook)

Cell coverage upgrades coming to Highway 3 from Hope to Keremeos

The upgrades are expected to be complete by fall 2024

Highway 3 closed at Hope, vehicles being turned around due to flooding in November. Upgrades to cell service are intended to make travel along the highway safer. (Facebook)
Lia Crowe photo

Mountain love in the Kootenay Rockies

Playtime on the Powder Highway

  • Mar 23, 2022
Lia Crowe photo
Travellers pushing luggage on carts walk through Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, July 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

It’s official: Vaccinated travellers won’t need COVID-19 test to enter Canada as of April 1

Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos confirms anticipated change

Travellers pushing luggage on carts walk through Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, July 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
An attendee enters an Airbus A380 passenger aircraft, operated by Etihad Airways, during the 15th Dubai Air Show in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Nov. 13, 2017. Bloomberg photo by Natalie Naccache.

Vaccinated travellers will no longer need a COVID-19 test to come to Canada: source

Official announcement is expected later this week

An attendee enters an Airbus A380 passenger aircraft, operated by Etihad Airways, during the 15th Dubai Air Show in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Nov. 13, 2017. Bloomberg photo by Natalie Naccache.
A plane is silhouetted as it takes off from Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., Monday, May 13, 2019. Airlines are facing a second headwind of skyrocketing oil prices — which could make airfares even more expensive.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Rising fuel costs could mean pricier airfares as carriers confront another hurdle

Price of jet fuel up by more than 27 per cent to US$142 a barrel as of last week

A plane is silhouetted as it takes off from Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., Monday, May 13, 2019. Airlines are facing a second headwind of skyrocketing oil prices — which could make airfares even more expensive.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
People walk past the University of Toronto campus during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

International students in Canada struggling with COVID, inflation

Charity organizations seeing increased demand for their services from those studying from abroad

  • Mar 7, 2022
People walk past the University of Toronto campus during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
People watch the sunrise, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, in Miami Beach, Fla. Results of a poll suggest B.C. residents are ready for travel, COVID or not. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Canadians embrace travel as COVID measures relax

While many Canadians remain anxious, travel agents noticing uptick in families booking vacations

People watch the sunrise, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, in Miami Beach, Fla. Results of a poll suggest B.C. residents are ready for travel, COVID or not. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
People wait at OR Tambo’s airport in Johannesburg, South Africa’, Friday Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Eased requirements in effect as travel industry demands end to COVID-19 testing

Industry hosts news conference today to demand Ottawa remove all COVID-19 border restrictions

People wait at OR Tambo’s airport in Johannesburg, South Africa’, Friday Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Dr. Aisha Khatib, left, poses for a selfie with crew members, pediatrician Carola Buscemi, second from left, and a baby who the two medical professionals delivered on board the flight. Khatib was on the final leg of her multi-stop voyage from Toronto to Entebbe, Uganda, last month when she heard an announcement asking if there were any medical personnel on the plane, was ushered to the back of the plane, and found a woman in labour with a baby well on its way. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Aisha Khatib, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

‘Congratulations, it’s a girl’: Canadian doctor helps deliver baby mid-flight

‘The entire plane erupted with clapping and started cheering’

Dr. Aisha Khatib, left, poses for a selfie with crew members, pediatrician Carola Buscemi, second from left, and a baby who the two medical professionals delivered on board the flight. Khatib was on the final leg of her multi-stop voyage from Toronto to Entebbe, Uganda, last month when she heard an announcement asking if there were any medical personnel on the plane, was ushered to the back of the plane, and found a woman in labour with a baby well on its way. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Aisha Khatib, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
People make their way through Pearson International Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto, Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Airlines, airport ask Canada to drop arrivals testing requirement

Lobby: discrepancy between resources allocated to asymptomatic travellers and those needing tests

People make their way through Pearson International Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto, Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
A Sunwing Airlines jet prepares to take off at Montreal's Trudeau International Airport, Friday, March 20, 2020. Experts say the Sunwing party flight might have been halted mid-trip had certain aviation protocols been strictly followed. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

27 out of 130 passengers on Sunwing party flight to Mexico back in Canada: Duclos

Many stranded after Sunwing cancelled their return flight and video made them pariahs

A Sunwing Airlines jet prepares to take off at Montreal's Trudeau International Airport, Friday, March 20, 2020. Experts say the Sunwing party flight might have been halted mid-trip had certain aviation protocols been strictly followed. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
A Sunwing Airlines jet prepares to take off at Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport, Friday, March 20, 2020. Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says he has asked Transport Canada to investigate reports of “unacceptable” behaviour on a recent Sunwing Airlines flight to Cancun, Mexico.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Federal transport minister asks for investigation into Sunwing party flight to Mexico

Videos appear to show singing and dancing in the aisle and on seats, vodka and electronic cigarettes

A Sunwing Airlines jet prepares to take off at Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport, Friday, March 20, 2020. Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra says he has asked Transport Canada to investigate reports of “unacceptable” behaviour on a recent Sunwing Airlines flight to Cancun, Mexico.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
October 23, 2021 - Tea at the Empress with Toby Tannas. Don Denton photo

Victoria’s travel secrets

Old-world charm stands proudly amid a modern world

  • Dec 20, 2021
October 23, 2021 - Tea at the Empress with Toby Tannas. Don Denton photo
A visitor pulls luggage past the bottom of a staircase in Terminal One of Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Berlin on Oct. 19, 2020. (PhotoBloomberg photo by Krisztian Bocsi)

Experts say travellers should check insurance coverage twice amid changing rules

Those determined to travel warned travel advisories may have altered their insurance coverage.

A visitor pulls luggage past the bottom of a staircase in Terminal One of Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Berlin on Oct. 19, 2020. (PhotoBloomberg photo by Krisztian Bocsi)