Air Canada

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It would appear that April is the cruellest month – at least for Air Canada passengers (though pets have won out – after a year!). And this used to be consistently voted one of the top airlines by passengers.

April 26 2008
Air Canada to charge $25 for checking second bag
Soaring fuel costs at fault, airline says, and passengers should brace for yet more fees
Customers should also brace for the introduction of more charges as the country heads into a period of economic uncertainty and soaring fuel costs 23 April
Major carriers quit lobby group
BRENT JANG, TRANSPORTATION REPORTER
(Globe & Mail ROB) The country’s four largest airlines have abruptly pulled out of an industry lobby group, choosing to form their own association to push Ottawa to slash rent charged to airports and press other issues affecting commercial travel.
The Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) notified its members yesterday of the withdrawal of Air Canada, Jazz Air Income Fund, WestJet Airlines Ltd. and Air Transat.
18 April
Air Canada offers extra service, for extra fees
(Smarter TravelA la carte ticket pricing—charging consumers for each and every service instead of including them in a single price—has become a fact of travel life in recent years. Even airlines that describe themselves as “full service” have begun charging more for meals, phone bookings, checking a second bag, and so on.
In North America, Air Canada has been the most aggressive in unbundling its services, with some cheaper tickets requiring add-on fees for advance seat selection, and optional frequent flyer miles and checked bags.
On My Way, according to the airline, is “Air Canada’s newest a la carte fare option, providing travel assistance service to protect you against unexpected travel expenditures—including any that apply to your air ticket investment—and offers you a smooth, stress-free travel experience when unplanned disruptions affect your travel plans.”
Pets 1 – Air Canada 0
4 April
Pets cleared for takeoff aboard Air Canada
(CBC News) Consumers flying with Air Canada will soon be able to check their pets with their luggage again, as ordered by a ruling released Friday by the Canadian Transportation Agency.
The CTA rejected the airline’s proposed tariff revisions to ban pets and kennels weighing less than 31.7 kilograms (70 pounds) on domestic and international flights. The decision held that the proposed tariffs were unreasonable and unjust to the consumer.
“The agency finds that, with respect to the carriage of pets and kennels as cargo, an imbalance exists between the interests of Air Canada and consumers in that such carriage creates commercial advantages for the carrier alone, while exposing pet owners to many significant disadvantages,” the ruling said.
Air Canada offers aid to stranded passengers — at a price
(Financial Post) Air Canada unveiled a new service on Wednesday aimed at helping passengers weather delays or cancellations caused by factors outside of the airline’s control.
But the so-called “On My Way” service — and the fee associated — was quickly panned by consumer groups and its main rival. The optional offering, which costs $25 and $35 depending on the length of the flight, entitles Air Canada passengers stranded due to bad weather, airport or air traffic delays with instant message updates, and complimentary accommodations, meals and bookings on the next available flight — even if it’s on another carrier.
9 February
(Globe & Mail) Air Canada soars on sale talk
Placing a For Sale sign on Air Canada, Robert Milton said yesterday he’s seeking to sell a stake in the airline to potential buyers ranging from private equity firms to pension funds to U.S. carriers.
The airline’s parent company, ACE Aviation Holdings Inc., has fielded calls from outside buyers who recognize that Air Canada shares are undervalued, said Mr. Milton, ACE chairman and chief executive officer.
ACE, created after Air Canada emerged from bankruptcy protection in 2004, has received inquiries from investors interested in buying a portion of the holding company’s 75-per-cent stake in Air Canada, he said. “In my view, as I watch the U.S. airlines scurrying around to merge, anybody that actually ties up with Air Canada gets a unique piece of geography relative to the way the U.S. guys would split it up,” Mr. Milton said.
Sources told The Globe and Mail last month that suitors have been knocking on ACE’s door to ask about buying a piece of Air Canada, leaving ACE’s board of directors to evaluate what to do next. There have been expressions of interest from outside parties to buy ACE’s stakes in Air Canada, Jazz Air Income Fund and Aeroplan Income Fund, sources said.
Air Canada executives say they don’t fear a possible merger of Delta Air Lines Inc. of Atlanta and Northwest Airlines Corp. of Eagan, Minn., arguing that Air Canada measures up favourably against both those carriers on trans-border routes into the United States. United Airlines Inc. of Chicago and Houston-based Continental Airlines Corp. are also exploring a potential combination.
27 March 2007
Canada’s airlines: Risky business
(CBC In depth) It’s a tough business, trying to run an airline while making a profit. Few have been able to do it in Canada in the days since al-Qaeda militants changed air travel forever by using four airliners to launch attacks in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. Spiking fuel prices didn’t do much for the industry’s bottom line, either.
Wardair – one of the country’s first discount air carriers – hung on for 37 years before it was bought out by Canadian Airlines, which was the offspring of the merger between CP Airlines and Pacific Western. By 1999, it would be bought out by Air Canada.
21 June 2007
Air Canada adds pets to no-fly list
(CBC) Air Canada has declared its aircraft no-fly zones for pets.
As of next month, animals will no longer be allowed aboard any Air Canada flights. While the airline barred pets from aircraft cabins last September, the restriction now applies to the baggage compartment as well.
In a letter sent to the Canadian Transportation Agency on Wednesday, the national carrier said, “please be advised that Air Canada will cease the carriage of pets as checked luggage on domestic as well as international routes [including transborder routes], as of July 15, 2007.”
16 February 2007
The airline passenger’s bill of rights
Being stuck for hours usually prompts such talk, but this could be different