ET News

Our news brief will be sent to you via e-mail on a quarterly basis. At CWT Ellison Travel, we respect your time and value your business. Sending you these updates allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information on business travel news that can help you travel smarter and more cost effective. 

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Tuesday, September 8, 2011

Air Canada is adding a $25 fee for first bag checked on flights to the United States… the airline will now charge $25 for the first checked bag and will add on another $5 to bring the cost for a second bag to $35. There will also be a new $70 charge for second bags on Canada/USA and Africa, the Middle East and Russia/ Asia and Australia/ South America flights, though the first checked piece remains free of charge. The second baggage fees already in place for Economy Class travel to/from Canada, the U.S., the Caribbean, Europe and India will remain unchanged.

Porter Airlines is increasing weekday roundtrip flights to six from five between Toronto Island and Boston beginning October 12… the addition of this flight doubles Porter's Toronto-Boston service from its original 2009 schedule and brings Boston and Toronto even closer together, allowing greater same-day business travel flexibility and offering leisure travellers a wider range of departure options.

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

More restaurants adopt eat, drink and no-phone policies…cellphone bans are becoming more prominent at a number of popular restaurants as owners try to make dining a pleasurable experience free from the sounds of others doing business. But knowing that a cell phone can be a business traveler's lifeline, some eateries still provide safe zones for must-make calls. USA TODAY

Travelers pay for checked bags, but who should pay for lost bags?...It's pretty much standard practice these days for travelers to pay for checked bags, but there's no overriding airline policy about who is expected to pay for lost or delayed baggage. In most cases, airlines may offer some sort of break on future travel, but almost none will refund a checked-bag fee. "Only one airline will refund your bag fees if your bag is lost, delayed, or damaged, and that's Frontier," Brett Snyder writes. CNN

First- and business-class fliers say safety is priority, study finds…for most first- and business-class fliers, safety is the top priority, a recent study shows. "What we saw through this survey was really that premium travelers are looking for comfort and convenience, as well as safety," said Joe Bates, research director for the GBTA Foundation, which conducted the study. "You can have comfort through service that's being offered, that higher class of service (or) ... through entertainment options available to you." The foundation is the research branch of the Global Business Travel Association. USA TODAY

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Monday, August 15, 2011

Electric vehicle charging stations coming to an airport near you…Detroit Metro Airport has announced that it will install four Plug-in Electric Vehicle charging stations. The airport charging stations will be in the two main parking decks at the airport - two on the eighth floor of the McNamara Terminal parking deck and two on the fourth floor of the Big Blue Deck by the North Terminal. There will be no cost for drivers to use the charging stations.

Transforming a boring business trip into a trip you'll never forget…A travel expert is advising business travelers to make a break from the boring old habit of spending free time holed up in a hotel room. "It's worth making an effort to get out of your hotel. You only live once -- and you might see something you never forget," said James Smart, senior editor of Rough Guides travel books. USA TODAY 

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Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Lowering the odds of being grounded by a flight delay…on average, 1 of every 5 flights is delayed. This feature lists the steps you can take to improve your odds of departing on time. Tip #1: Take a morning flight. "Although there's never a way to guarantee you'll be on time -- mechanical issues can strike anywhere -- there are ways to lessen your chances of being delayed," Brett Snyder writes. CNN

The need for continuous Internet connectivity puts the business traveler at risk…in fact, traveling with your devices connected to the Internet is much like leaving a safe that's loaded with valuables unlocked, this feature notes. "We've become so used to being connected wherever we go that we are almost unwilling to do without it," said Kelly Davis-Felner, marketing director for the Wi-Fi Alliance. San Jose Mercury News (Calif.)

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Thursday, July 21, 2011

TSA further enhances passenger privacy… the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin installing the Automated Target Recognition (ATR) to its millimetre wave Advanced Imaging Technology machines (AIT), which will enhance privacy by eliminating passenger-specific images. This new software will auto-detect items that could pose a potential threat, using a generic outline of a person for all passengers. The TSA will install the software upgrade on all currently deployed AIT units at US airports nationwide. According to the TSA, the elimination of the image of an actual passenger and replacing it with a generic outline will no longer require a separate TSA officer in a remote location viewing room. It will also further enhance privacy protection and make the screening process more efficient and expand the throughput capability of AIT.

Tips for minimizing the odds of an airport security pat-down…there may be no foolproof way to avoid airport security line pat-downs, but there are steps a traveller can take to lower the odds of being singled out, this article says. Many pat-downs are the result of the metal detector being triggered.

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Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Porter plans to expand…according to a report from The Globe and Mail, Porter Airlines has plans to expand in Ontario and the US. Plans to start services to Washington Dulles International Airport are projected to begin in 12 months. Washington's Reagan National Airport and Philadelphia International Airport are two other US airports on Porter's radar. In Ontario, Timmins, North Bay and London are being considered.

Delta completes flat-bed installations…Delta Air Lines (DL) has completed the installation of full flat-bed seats in the BusinessElite cabin of all Boeing 777 and 767-400ER type aircraft. The last of 18 Boeing 777 aircraft, each with 45 BusinessElite seats per plane, and all 21 Boeing 767-400ER aircraft with 40 BusinessElite seats per plane have been retrofitted with full flat-bed seats. Each seat includes direct aisle access. Progress continues as Delta's first Boeing 767-300ER will receive its scheduled full flat-bed in August. To date, more than 25 percent of Delta's widebody international fleet has received the upgrade and the airline's entire widebody international fleet of more than 140 aircraft will be flying with full flat-bed seats in BusinessElite by the end of 2013.

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Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Delta flies nonstop Detroit to Beijing… Delta Air Lines (DL) began a nonstop service July 1 between Detroit (DTW) and Beijing (PEK), expanding its Asian gateway in Detroit with flights to a third city in China. The flight will operate five days a week on 269-seat Boeing 777 aircraft featuring full flat-bed seats in BusinessElite, as well as Delta's new Economy Comfort class, which offers additional leg-room and early boarding.

Some hotels not only charge for Wi-Fi access in the rooms, but some properties will also charge for each device that logs on…while these charges may not be disclosed on a hotel's website, it could be on the terms and conditions when you book online. 

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Thursday, June 23, 2011

US to launch air traveller program…the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that the agency plans to launch a trial "Trusted Traveller" program for some passengers to opt into later this year. The program is spearheaded by the US Travel Association and will work like a fast pass, allowing travellers to speed through security checks by keeping their shoes on, leaving laptops in bags, and avoiding body scanners altogether. They will, however, still have to send their bags through security but will be able to go through an expedited line.

Travellers enrolled in frequent-flyer programs will likely be the first potential candidates to qualify for the fast pass. To qualify for trusted traveller status, fliers must undergo a background check in advance. Their status will then be indicated with a bar code on a boarding pass that will be processed by computers that are to be rolled out at selected airport checkpoints later this year.

Porter Airlines adds third flight to Sudbury…a third daily roundtrip flight between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) and Sudbury (YSB), begins September 6. After beginning Sudbury service in March 2010 with one daily flight, Porter recently improved the schedule to two flights in April of this year.

Tips for warding off computer hackers while travelling…whenever possible use a hard-wired connection (DSL or cable) rather than public Wi-Fi unless you are carrying your own Wi-Fi hotspot as you may be vulnerable to hacking while traveling. Here are some tips to avoid a breach.

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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

New strategy for Toronto airport…Toronto Pearson International Airport has announced its ambition to become North America's leading international gateway by focusing on expanding Toronto's reach through growing connecting traffic and the number of international destinations served from the airport. In order to achieve this, Toronto Pearson will build on its current strengths as Canada's leading airport by placing more focus on improving the overall airport experience. Over the coming months and years, a number of new products and services will be introduced to help all passengers move more easily and comfortably through the airport.

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Tuesday, June 7, 2011

New wireless internet service…London International Airport (YXU) has introduced free wireless internet service in the terminal building provided by BOLDstreet Wireless.

Air Canada Jazz rebranded…Air Canada has announced that services operated for it by Jazz Aviation LP will begin flying under the name Air Canada Express beginning June 1. The name change is part of an ongoing re-branding of all Air Canada's regional services to make it easier for customers and assure them of consistency when booking a flight. Beginning June 1, all Air Canada flights operated on its behalf by Jazz will fly under the name Air Canada Express and this will be reflected in announcements both at the airport and on-board aircraft. 

Emirates Airline has launched a new travel program available for the first time in Canada…the new initiative, Emirates' Dubai Stopover Program, is a hotel and sightseeing package offered as a way to introduce Emirates passengers to Dubai. Passengers can choose from a full range of hotels and apartments - in the city or on the beach, self-catered to six-star luxury. Hotels include the Al Maha Resort & Spa, Atlantis The Palm; and Raffles Dubai, to name just a few. The Dubai Stopover package includes specialized UAE visa service via Emirates Airline's fulfillment centre, personalized meet-and-assist in Dubai, including quick and efficient VIP escort through Dubai airport stations upon arrival, hotel transfers, buffet breakfast, taxes and service charges.

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Thursday, May 26, 2011

Porter Airlines increases Sault Ste. Marie service…the airline is adding a third daily round trip flight between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) and Sault Ste. Marie (YAM), beginning June 27. The route began service with two daily flights less than two weeks ago on May 4, but is already performing as one of Porter's best start-up destinations. The third daily flight is available year-round, Sunday through Friday.

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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Top 5 best airline business lounges in the world…the travel guide experts at Frommers.com created a list of the world's five best airport lounges; Australian Business Traveller fleshed out the top five with details. Coming out on top: The Wing, a flagship Cathay Pacific lounge in Hong Kong. Finishing second through fifth: Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class Clubhouse, London Heathrow; Malaysian Airlines' Satellite Golden Lounge, Kuala Lumpur; Lufthansa's First Class Lounge, Munich; and Japan Air Lines' International Lounges, Tokyo Haneda.

Packing tips from travel pros…travel expert Rick Steves, and a number of other people who travel for a living, roll out a satchel-full of packing tips for the frequent flier. "The measure of a good traveler is how light she travels," says Steves on his website. "Pare down what you are going to bring. Then, when you're done, pare it down again," suggests Don Chernoff, who designs luggage

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Thursday, May 5, 2011

Air Canada resumes service at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Montreal …Service between Toronto City Airport and Montreal is being operated by Sky Regional Airlines Inc. It will provide up to 15 daily non-stop return flights. Customers will enjoy the comfort of state-of-the-art Bombardier Q-400 aircraft with leather seats, complimentary premium bar service and snacks, as well as the ability to collect Aeroplan® Miles through Canada's leading loyalty program. In Toronto, a complimentary, regularly scheduled shuttle bus service is available between the Fairmont Royal York Hotel and the Toronto City Airport. Prior to boarding, customers can enjoy free lounge access complete with wi-fi and refreshments.

WestJet launches eastern triangle initiative…WestJet has started the delivery of a comprehensive initiative to better serve the needs of business travellers. The significantly enhanced value proposition is centred on a business schedule between Toronto and Montreal and Toronto and Ottawa. The service will see guests travelling on these routes offered 50 per cent off their next Toronto-Montreal or Toronto-Ottawa flight if their aircraft is delayed by more than 30 minutes. If a guest's eastern triangle flight is cancelled and they cannot travel at the new time, they will receive full credit for the cost of their ticket plus 50 per cent off their next Toronto-Montreal or Toronto-Ottawa flight. WestJet will also offer guests travelling these fights dedicated, easy-access departure gates at all three airports, priority security screening in Toronto and Montreal, and no extra fees for taking an earlier flight or missing their flight but arriving at the airport within two hours of their scheduled departure. Also included is a complimentary glass of wine or beer on board, 20 per cent off Toronto Pearson valet parking services and 25 per cent off Park'N Fly Airport Parking in all three cities.