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Category: Air Canada Rouge

  • Designation of large and small airlines for 2024 – Canadian Transportation Agency update

    Gatineau, January 17, 2024 – Canadian Transportation Agency

    The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has updated the list of large and small airlines for 2024.

    According to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations, large airlines are those that have carried more than two million passengers in each of the two preceding years. All other airlines are considered small.

    This designation has an impact on the requirements that apply to airlines. Specifically for small airlines, these requirements will be different with regards to:

    • compensation
    • rebooking
    • refunds

    How airline size is determined

    Large airlines within the meaning of the Air Passenger Protection Regulations are those that have carried more than two million passengers in each of the two preceding years. All other airlines are considered small.

    • Air Canada (including Jazz and Rouge), WestJet, Sunwing Airlines, Air Transat, and Flair Airlines are considered large airlines.
    • Lynx, Canada Jetlines, Canadian North and all other Canadian airlines are currently considered small.

    The size of the airline is listed in the terms and conditions of your ticket (the airline’s tariff).

    Small airlines carrying passengers for large airlines

    If a small airline is carrying passengers on behalf of a large airline under a contract, they would have to follow the large carrier obligations for those passengers. This includes, for example, situations where a small airline is operating a flight, but some or all the passengers on the flight have bought the ticket from another large airline (code share or capacity purchase agreement).

    Usually, the ticket and/or itinerary will show you which airline sold the ticket and which airline is operating the flight. You can tell who issued the ticket by looking at the first two letters of the flight number (these letters represent the unique two-letter code of the airline that sold the ticket).

    Accessible transportation

    The Canadian Transportation Agency has a mandate to protect the fundamental right of persons with disabilities to accessible transportation services. For issues relating to accessibility, the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR) defines a large airline as an air carrier that provides passenger services within and to and from Canada and that transported a worldwide total of 1,000,000 passengers or more during each of the two preceding calendar years. Air Canada (including Jazz and Rouge), WestJet, Sunwing Airlines, Air Transat, Flair Airlines and Canadian North are considered large airlines for the ATPDR.

  • Air Canada Named World’s Most Family Friendly Airline and Top Canadian Carrier at 2023 Skytrax World Airline Awards

    Air Canada is the first winner of new global award for family friendly travel

    • Best Airline in Canada
    • Best Airline Staff in Canada
    • Air Canada Rouge Best Low-Cost Airline in Canada

    MONTREAL, June 20, 2023 /CNW/ – Air Canada has been recognized as the world’s most family friendly airline at the 2023 Skytrax World Airline Awards presented at the Paris Air Show. The carrier was also named the Best Airline in Canada, its employees won for Best Airline Staff in Canada, and Air Canada Rouge was declared the Best Low-Cost Airline in Canada.

    Air Canada has been recognized as the world’s most family friendly airline at the 2023 Skytrax World Airline Awards presented at the Paris Air Show. (CNW Group/Air Canada)
    Air Canada has been recognized as the world’s most family friendly airline at the 2023 Skytrax World Airline Awards presented at the Paris Air Show. (CNW Group/Air Canada)

    “These awards recognize Air Canada’s industry leadership in Canada and the world. But the real winners are our employees, who work very hard every day taking care of our customers and delivering them safely to their destinations. I thank our employees for their dedication, and I also thank our customers for acknowledging their work by participating in the 2023 Skytrax awards survey, which garnered more than 20 million submissions worldwide,” said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada.

    Among the awards given to Air Canada at the ceremony was a new global award for family friendly travel. Skytrax cited Air Canada’s work in family seating policies, dedicated family check-in facilities, priority boarding, children’s meals, children’s amenities / toys / activity packs, child specific onboard entertainment, free checked luggage and policies for carrycot / pushchairs, and the standard of service assistance from ground staff and cabin crew during the travel experience.

    “We are thrilled to be recognized with the inaugural Skytrax award for Most Family Friendly Airline. Air Canada takes pride in connecting family and loved ones through travel where celebrations and life-long memories are made. We’re continuing to introduce still more family-focused initiatives through our onboard products, services and Aeroplan Family Sharing, and we look forward to welcoming even more families onboard throughout our global network,” said Mr. Rousseau.

    About the Skytrax World Airline Awards

    The World Airline Awards are wholly independent and impartial, introduced in 1999 to provide a customer satisfaction study that is truly global. Travellers across the world vote in the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to determine the award winners. The awards are referred to by media around the world as “the Oscars of the aviation industry“. The online customer survey operated from September 2022 to May 2023, together with invitations sent to previous year respondents in the survey database. The customer survey was provided in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Chinese. Over 100 customer nationalities participated in the 2022/2023 survey with 20.23 million eligible entries counted in the results. Survey entries are screened to identify IP and user information, with all duplicate, suspect or ineligible entries deleted. All costs of the Survey and Awards event are paid by Skytrax, and airlines do not pay any entry or registration fee. There are no charges for use of the Award logos and results. 

    About Air Canada

    Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, where members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental rewards. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft.  Air Canada has committed to a net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050.

  • U.S. investigating close call involving Air Canada flight at Florida airport

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  • Air Canada Rouge Airbus A321 MAYDAY Due To “Multiple Successive Fault Messages”

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  • Here’s why Air Canada charges up to $500 for extra bags on this route

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  • Canadian Airlines Must Follow Air Canada’s Example and Pay Airline Workers for Time Worked: CUPE

    May 20, 2022

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)–CUPE’s Airline Division, which represents 15,000 flight attendants at nine Canadian airlines, says other major carriers like WestJet, Air Transat and Sunwing must follow the example set by Air Canada earlier this week, and pay flight attendants for time spent on the ground during delays at Pearson Airport.

    “Our members are working just as hard on the ground to keep passengers safe and comfortable as they are in the air, and deserve to be paid-in-full for every minute they’re at work in uniform”

    “We were happy to get an agreement this week to ensure an hour worked is an hour paid for our members at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge,” said Wesley Lesosky, president of CUPE’s Airline Division and also president of CUPE’s Air Canada Component. “This is what can happen when the union and the employer come together: we can find solutions that benefit everybody.”

    While policies differ from airline to airline, generally speaking, flight attendants are paid significantly less – or not at all – for their time on the ground. The issue has boiled over in recent months, as understaffing at Canadian airports has led to delays of two to three hours during the security screening and deplaning processes.

    “Our members are working just as hard on the ground to keep passengers safe and comfortable as they are in the air, and deserve to be paid-in-full for every minute they’re at work in uniform,” said Rena Kisfalvi, secretary-treasurer of CUPE’s Airline Division and president of CUPE 4055, which represents flight attendants at Sunwing.

    CUPE has been raising the issue of flight attendants essentially working for free even as they perform work duties in uniform on the ground.

    “Air Canada has stepped up,” said Lesosky. “Now, it’s time for the other carriers to follow suit.”

  • CUPE rectifies pay injustice for members at Air Canada

    May 19, 2022

    Air Canada A220-300 C-GROV
    Air Canada Airbus 220-300 C-GROV

    CUPE’s Air Canada Component is pleased to see progress on an important pay issue for its members at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge. The union spoke out last week about how ground delays at Pearson Airport, have been resulting in members working for significantly reduced pay or for free, due to an outdated policy which paid flight attendants drastically less – or nothing at all – for their time on the ground. However, that has now changed.

    Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge have just signed a memorandum of agreement with CUPE which will see ground duty pay related to “metering” – the process of managing air traffic in and out of terminals – at Pearson Airport escalated to 100 per cent.

    “Making our members essentially work for free was simply unjust, and we’re happy to have the company come to the table, recognizing the issue and helping to rectify this injustice,” said Wesley Lesosky, President of CUPE’s Air Canada Component.

    The memorandum also acknowledges the impact of the delays on flight attendants’ schedules, and establishes considerations for ensuring flight attendants are rested enough for their next scheduled duty after a lengthy unscheduled ground delay.

    “This represents important progress for our members at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, but we know we are not the only airline facing these issues,” Lesosky added. “We will continue fighting across our union to make sure all our members are paid fairly for their time.  No one should be working for free.”

    CUPE’s Air Canada Component represents approximately 9,500 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge. CUPE’s Air Division represents approximately 15,000 flight attendants across nine different airlines in total.

  • Air Canada Inaugurates Two New Connections from Quebec City to Western Canada

    • New seasonal service to Calgary and Vancouver begins
    • Air Canada continues to strengthen its presence in Quebec City

    MONTREAL, May 1, 2022 – Air Canada operated today its first non-stop service between Quebec City and Calgary, offered four times a week, providing additional travel options to Quebecers and demonstrating its commitment to the people of the provincial capital. Flights to Vancouver will start tomorrow, on May 2, with up to three flights a week.

    These new seasonal domestic routes, which will operate until the end of October, will be operated by Air Canada Rouge on an Airbus A319, featuring Premium Rouge and Economy class, product enhancements including upgraded streaming entertainment and options to purchase high-speed wi-fi.

    Air Canada also offers daily flights to Quebec City out of its two eastern hubs, Montreal and Toronto, and will increase capacity during the peak summer season. This is in addition to two other new routes which started in December to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, and to the increased frequency to Punta Cana and Cancun.

    “Our recovery is well underway, customers are returning and we’re happy to offer new popular destinations to better connect Quebec and Western Canada,” said David Rheault, Vice-President Government and Community Relations at Air Canada. “Quebec City, Calgary and Vancouver have a lot to offer and share. These new services will meet the growing demand from the Quebec City market for travel to Western Canada, while at the same time allowing tourists from Western Canada to discover and enjoy Quebec City, one of the most famous destinations in the country, with its important cultural and historic sites. Air Canada’s diversified schedule demonstrates its commitment to Quebecers and its desire to better serve the Jean Lesage International Airport, a long-time partner. Our leadership and unique extensive network will stimulate the recovery of the travel and tourism industry.”

    “Vancouver and Calgary are popular destinations and this is an important development for our airport and the entire region,” said Stéphane Poirier, President and CEO of Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB). “In recent months, Air Canada has not only made the decision to quickly restore pre-pandemic routes but has also increased the frequency of its flights and added new destinations. Now, we are counting on the population of the greater Quebec City area to ensure the success of these connections.”

    “The new flights from Quebec City will be beneficial for the citizens of the region as well as for tourists who want to discover our beautiful province,” said Jean-Yves Duclos, federal Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Quebec. “The Quebec City airport is an economic development driver for businesses and the eastern part of the province, and we will continue to support the industry during the recovery period.”

    “The entire tourism industry in the Quebec City region is delighted with the enhancements to its air service with the introduction of flights to Calgary and Vancouver from Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport and welcomes the gesture of confidence made by Air Canada. For us, at Destination Québec Cité, this means greater accessibility for visitors to our destination and, at the same time, an opportunity to develop new markets. Western Canada represents an interesting pool of visitors to charm and attract. That is why we will support the promotion of these flights with the implementation of digital initiatives for the summer period,” said Robert Mercure, Director of Destination Québec Cité.

    These flights are conveniently timed for connections onward to other destinations in Canada, the US and our international network from either Vancouver or Calgary.

    About Air Canada

    Air Canada is Canada’s largest domestic and international airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking from the independent U.K. research firm Skytrax, which in 2021 also named Air Canada as having the Best Airline Staff in North America, Best Airline Staff in Canada, Best Business Class Lounge in North America, as well as an Excellence award for its handling of COVID-19. Also in 2021, Air Canada was named Global Traveler’s Best Airline in North America for the third straight year. In January 2021, Air Canada received APEX’s Diamond Status Certification for the Air Canada CleanCare+ biosafety program for managing COVID-19, the only airline in Canada to attain the highest APEX ranking. Air Canada has also committed to a net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050.

  • Flight cancellations mount as Canadian airlines struggle with staff shortages

    From BNN Bloomberg – link to source story🔗

    Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press | 6 January 2022

    MONTREAL – Canadian airlines are slashing their flight schedules as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on air industry plans and profits.

    Transat A.T. is nixing nearly 30 per cent of its flights for the next two months. The tour operator said the ongoing impact of the Omicron variant and the federal government’s “restrictive measures” last month have triggered a wave of trip cancellations by passengers.

    On Dec. 15, the Public Health Agency of Canada advised against non-essential travel abroad.

    Transat’s slimmed-down flight schedule is in place Thursday through Feb. 25, though the Montreal-based company says more changes may be necessary.

    Air Canada said in a flight advisory Wednesday it is suspending flights to at least 14 Caribbean destinations “in light of the current pandemic context,” effective Jan. 24 through April 30.

    The Montreal-based company cancelled 11 per cent of all flights Thursday and 10 per cent Wednesday – 87 trips in total, according to tracking service FlightAware.

    Air Canada Rouge called off 14 per cent of its flights Wednesday. And regional carrier Jazz Aviation, which partners with Air Canada, cancelled 16 per cent and 14 per cent Wednesday and Thursday respectively, or 155 flights in all.

    Air Canada said all travellers impacted by the Caribbean route suspensions will receive a full refund.

    Transat, which did not specify which routes were affected, also said customers will be fully refunded and, where possible, offered rebooked reservations as an alternative.

    The move comes a week after WestJet Airlines Ltd. cut 15 per cent of its scheduled flights through to the end of January, citing a high proportion of flight crews calling in sick due to Omicron.

    The airline sector, which had begun to recover following a devastating first year of the pandemic, is struggling once again amid the latest COVID-19 surge, with U.S. and Chinese carriers scrapping thousands of flights so far this month.

    “The Christmas rush is over and Air Canada has decided to follow suit with our friends at WestJet and take the knife even further,” said John Gradek, a lecturer at McGill University and head of its aviation management program.

    “The whole year is on sale and it’s still not enough. Air Canada is still seeing very, very weak demand.”

  • Air Canada Pilots Association Elects New Chair of Governing Council

    https://acpa.ca/ACPAAssets/images/air-canada-pilots-association-logo.png

    TORONTO, Nov. 3, 2021 /CNW/ – The Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA), Canada’s single largest pilot group, has elected First Officer Gary Russell as Chair of its highest governing body, the Master Elected Council. First Officer Russell will serve as MEC Chair for the remainder of the current term, which concludes March 31, 2022.

    ACPA MEC Chair, First Officer Gary Russell. (CNW Group/Air Canada Pilots Association)
    ACPA MEC Chair, First Officer Gary Russell. (CNW Group/Air Canada Pilots Association)

    First Officer Russell, a B-787 Captain based in Vancouver, is a passionate advocate for pilots and the profession. Prior to his election as Master Elected Council (MEC) Chair in October 2021, he served on the MEC as a Nationally Elected Member twice (2016-2019 and 2021). First Officer Russell has been actively involved in the Association in a number of roles, including as LEC Councillor, Trustee and Chair of the External Affairs Committee.

    Like many pilots in Canada, First Officer Russell began his flying career as a flight instructor and later a pilot in Northern Canada before being hired by Air Canada in 2007 on the Embraer.

    “I consider working on behalf of my fellow pilots to be a calling, and I can’t imagine doing anything else,” said First Officer Russell. “As the world and aviation industry recover from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital to ensure our membership has a strong voice and our profession is protected. I thank the MEC for their confidence in me.”

    The MEC is ACPA’s governing body, directing both policy and administration of the Association. The MEC is composed of Local Elected Council Chairs and Vice-Chairs who are elected by pilots from home bases in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Winnipeg, as well as Nationally MEC Members, who are chosen by all Air Canada pilots in national elections.

    As Chair, First Officer Russell will preside over MEC meetings and act as the pilots’ principal representative to Air Canada on employment matters, including negotiation and administration of their collective agreement. The Chair speaks on behalf of the MEC and is the official spokesperson for ACPA. The Chair works with the Association’s Chief Executive Officer to pursue ACPA’s broader objectives and policies.

    The Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) currently represents approximately 3,600 commercial pilots, with 600 furloughed during the COVID crisis and the first of them beginning to return to active status.  These highly skilled professional pilots fly passengers and cargo across Canada and around the world on Air Canada and Air Canada rouge.