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  Graham McKenzie engages with Sonia Kurek of Air Transat, shedding light on the airline's dynamic expansion and sustainable practices. Contrary to misconceptions, Air Transat's operations extend far beyond a few weekly flights between Gatwick and Toronto. Kurek reveals the airline's substantial route network, encompassing daily flights from Gatwick to Toronto and Montreal, unique direct services to Quebec City, and expanded operations from Manchester, Glasgow, and Dublin. Emphasizing sustainability, Kurek discusses the airline's commitment to eliminating single-use plastics and transitioning to sustainable aviation fuel. The interview showcases Air Transat's dedication to quality service and environmental responsibility as it evolves in the aviation industry.  

Air Transat and Porter Airlines are expanding their existing codeshare pact into an airline joint venture arrangement. The airlines will gradually combine their complementary networks during 2024. It will see network optimization through scheduling and route planning. The airline joint venture expands services between North, Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean. The feeder network strategy will see both airlines' expansion in their respective markets. These are domestic and transborder short- and medium-haul for Porter, and international medium- and long-haul for Air Transat. "This historic agreement constitutes a significant step forward in executing Transat's strategic plan and an important milestone in developing a more sustainable competitive network," said Annick Guérard, CEO of Transat. "Through this alliance, we will accelerate the expansion of our transatlantic footprint by allowing us to leverage the domestic market served by Porter." The current codeshare agreement between Air Transat and Porter has been active since October 2022. Air Transat serves over 60 international destinations, while Porter has built a network serving destinations within Eastern Canada and the United States.

 

The airline tops the ranking for the fifth time

  Air Transat is pleased to announce that it has been named the World’s Best Leisure Airline for the fifth time at the Skytrax World Airline Awards.   The awards ceremony took place this morning at the Paris Air Show, held at the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace in Bourget, France. Marc-Philippe Lumpé, Chief Operations Officer of Air Transat, and Frédéric Nappert, Specialist, Systems and Standards of Air Transat, joined by members of the Air Transat flight crew, were on hand to receive this prestigious award.   “Receiving this award fills us with immense pride,” said Lumpé. “It testifies to the unique place we occupy in our passengers’ hearts, and it highlights the exceptional nature of our service and our commitment to excellence. Our unrivaled expertise, which puts our customers at the centre of all our actions, enables us to live up to the trust they place in us every day.”   “I would like to express my gratitude to all our employees, whose ongoing commitment and unwavering professionalism represent the essential elements that have earned us this most prestigious recognition,” said Annick Guérard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transat. “Receiving this award for the fifth time illustrates their exceptional contributions, which are at the heart of our success.”   “We congratulate Air Transat on the fabulous achievement of being voted the World’s Best Leisure Airline in 2023 for the fifth time,” added Edward Plaisted, Chief Executive Officer of Skytrax. “This award is a great recognition for all of the Air Transat front line staff who are clearly delivering great standards to gain this highest level of customer satisfaction.”   Air Transat won this award in 2012, 2018, 2019, 2021 and now 2023, in addition to being voted North America’s Best Leisure Airline in 2022.

  Air Transat is increasing its services from London Gatwick to Montreal and Toronto in Canada for the 2023 summer season, including the re-introduction of its seasonal weekly direct flight to Quebec City. Increased services from Gatwick include daily flights to Montreal and double daily flights to Toronto. This comes as Air Transat celebrates 35 years since its first flight from Gatwick to Toronto.   The additions are complemented by the re-introduction of Air Transat’s seasonal weekly direct service to Quebec City operating between 24 June 24 and 17 September – the only UK air link to the Canadian city which launched for the first time last year.   Sonia Kurek, Commercial Director UK & Ireland for Air Transat, said: “We are delighted to see passenger levels continuing to grow, even after 35 years of operating transatlantic flights to Canada. Air Transat is well placed to satisfy the demand for travellers from the South East with increased frequencies for 2023. Passengers flying from Gatwick can also take advantage of onward connections across Air Transat’s network throughout Canada, and onto Florida and California in the US. We look forward to welcoming passengers onboard our award-winning services.”   Flights from London Gatwick are available to book at airtransat.com or via travel agents, with return fares starting from £414pp.   Flights can be booked with maximum flexibility, giving passengers the opportunity to modify their booking at no charge up to 24 hours before departure (excluding Eco Budget fares). Passengers need only to pay the fare difference, if any.   The increased summer services will be offered until the end of October, when the winter schedule comes into operation.

Air Transat this month launches two routes from London to Quebec. This week it relaunched its popular route from London Gatwick to Montreal for the first time since 2019. Air Transat will initially offer three flights a week before ramping up to a daily service by the middle of summer. On 12 May, Air Transat will launch the UK’s first non-stop Quebec City flight with a weekly service from London Gatwick. In addition, Air Transat has increased its London Gatwick to Toronto service from three times a week to daily, with plans to fly twice daily by mid-summer. In Montreal and Toronto, passengers can also connect to onward services to other destinations in Air Transat’s network including Quebec City, Calgary and Vancouver. Sonia Kurek, Commercial Director UK & Ireland for Air Transat, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming British travellers back and we’re confident that Quebec City will enchant visitors.” Passengers travelling from London Gatwick will fly on Air Transat’s all-Airbus fleet, including the new A321neoLR aircraft, which has the lowest environmental impact in its class. In an effort to offer more flexibility to customers, Air Transat is expanding its conditions for changing and cancelling bookings in both Economy and Club Class fares. It is now possible to cancel a trip, regardless of the chosen fare.

Air Transat announced three new partner airlines to connectair by Air Transat. In partnership with Dohop, Azores Airlines, Loganair, and SKY express were added to the platform. Customers can now book more than 240 additional destinations. Launched in November 2021, connectair by Air Transat is Dohop’s latest airline-owned virtual interline platform. With existing partnerships with carriers such as easyJet, Vueling, Avianca, and Pascan, the platform already offers connected journeys throughout Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. Passengers can book connecting flights across airline networks, including ancillaries, in a single booking. Dohop services the connection in case of delays and disruptions, while airlines retain customer ownership. “Air Transat’s continued focus on expanding its network through virtual interline is a testimony to its forward-thinking. We are delighted to be the facilitator,” said Sarah Hanan, Commercial Director at Dohop.

Canada’s Air Transat is upgrading its in-flight meal offering, which offers new options to both Club and Economy Class passengers traveling to and from the UK. The new offering allows Club Class passengers to choose between the ‘breakfast’ or ‘lunch and dinner' hot meals, depending on their flight departure time. The breakfast menu consists of a main course with croissant, bowl of fruit, yoghurt and juice, while the lunch and dinner menu comprises of a main course with salad, bread, dessert and glass of wine. Additionally, passengers travelling in Economy Class now have a choice of two complimentary hot meals. Each hot meal is served with a salad, sweet snack and glass of wine or non-alcoholic drink. Sonia Kurek, Commercial Director UK, Ireland and GSA markets, Air Transat, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer these new in-flight menus as we restore and expand the choice of flights we offer from the UK to Canada.” In May, Air Transat will launch services from London Gatwick to Montreal, and the UK’s first ever route to Quebec City with a weekly flight from Gatwick. Air Transat already offers regular direct services from London Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow to Toronto, with onward connecting services to Calgary, Montreal and Vancouver.

Air Transat inviting Brits to take advantage of special sale fares the airline has launched today. Air Transat is offering special return fares from London Gatwick to Toronto from £349, from London Gatwick to Montreal and Quebec City from £359. There are also sales fares from Manchester to Toronto from £389, and from Glasgow to Toronto from £369. The See it for Real Promo, which runs until 7 April, 2022, offers reduced prices for passengers booking flights on the airline’s services between the UK and Canada for travel on selected dates between 1 May and 31 October, 2022. Air Transat offers regular direct services from London Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow to Toronto, with onward connecting services to Calgary, Montreal and Vancouver. In May, Air Transat launches services from Gatwick to Montreal, the UK’s first ever route to Quebec City with a weekly flight. Fares can be booked with flexibility and no change fees. If travel plans change, the date and destination of the booking can be changed at no charge up to 24 hours before departure. Passengers need only to pay the fare difference, if any.

Canada’s Air Transat has relaunched its Star Rewards agent incentive programme. The incentive enables travel agents to receive cash rewards for every passenger booked by 14 April, 2022 on an Air Transat flight from the UK. Agents who book Eco Standard tickets will receive a £10 shopping voucher, and those who book Eco Flex or Club Class fares receive a £20 shopping voucher for each passenger booked. Agents can use the vouchers from the Star Rewards on thousands of gifts and experiences. These range from weekend breaks and luxury hotel stays, to gadgets and beauty products, and vouchers for high street stores. Star Rewards incentives are available for bookings made by travel agents on Air Transat’s flights from London Gatwick to Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, and from Manchester and Glasgow to Toronto, along with onward services to Calgary and Vancouver. Sonia Kurek, Commercial Director, UK and Ireland, at Air Transat, said: “We are excited to again be able to offer UK travel agents the popular Star Rewards programme. “The travel trade are highly valued partners for Air Transat. We plan to roll out further trade promotions throughout 2022."

Canadian carriers Air Transat and Porter Airlines have agreed a codesharing pact to help boost connectivity and speed up the recovery for both airlines. It begins by connecting Porter Airlines’ flight schedules at its Toronto Billy Bishop Airport and Halifax Airport to Air Transat’s hub in Montreal. The codesharing will start this summer. It allows customers to combine journeys on both carriers within a single ticket and one-time baggage check. “The introduction of seamless access to international markets, where Air Transat has made its mark, is an especially great benefit for our passengers, ”saidPorter Airlines chief Michael Deluce.

International cruise ship calls are returning to Canada after more than two years. Canada’s Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced the ban is ending and Caribbean Princess will be the first call in Victoria, BC on April 6. Cruise lines must follow strict guidelines to operate in Canadian waters. It includes Covid-19 testing and reporting,, and all eligible passengers and crew must be fully jabbed. “Our government continues to work hard to restart our economy. We welcome cruise ships—an important part of our tourism sector—back to Canada, and we will continue working with partners to support this important industry,” Alghabra said. It is the result of many months’ discussions with Transport Canada,-health officials and cruise lines. Despite allowing cruising to return, the government still noted the risks of cruise vacations. “Covid-19 can spread easily between people in close quarters on board ships, and the chance of being infected on cruise ships is very high, even if you have completed a vaccine series,” it said in a travel advisory. Canada’s cruise ship industry brings in about $4 billion, and generates over 30,000 jobs.

Canadian airlines Air Transat and WestJet, will cooperate in a codeshare pact that allows customers to book transatlantic travel involving both carriers on a single ticket with through-checked bags. "We are very excited to join forces with WestJet in what I am sure will be a successful collaboration. This agreement is a first milestone to grow and strengthen our network through alliances ", said Annick Guérard, President and CEO of Transat. WestJet's code will be placed on Air Transat flights to select cities across Europe, and Air Transat's code will be placed on select WestJet flights in North America to enable both carriers to offer the connecting transatlantic itineraries. The codeshare agreement is scheduled to be implemented in early 2022, subject to usual regulatory approvals. The airlines will update customers with details once finalised.