Travel News

WestJet and Disney

December 2, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Starting today, the sky just became a little more magical. WestJet, in collaboration with Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Canada, has unveiled our first co-branded, custom-painted Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 featuring Mickey Mouse in one of his most famous roles – Sorcerer Mickey.

Can you believe how this plane looks. It is absolutely amazing looking and I can’t wait to see it up close.

With its one-of-a-kind design, WestJet is ecstatic to be the first Canadian carrier to receive permission from Disney to use their iconic images on an aircraft. Known in the social media world as the #MagicPlane, will perform its inaugural flight tomorrow from Calgary to Orlando.

With both companies focused on creating memorable guest experiences, WestJet and Disney are natural partners. We have loved working with Disney throughout WestJet’s history and are thrilled to take our relationship to new heights. The aircraft will also feature Disney inflight entertainment, snacks and napkins. Although the Magic Plane will start with a flight down to Orlando, the aircraft will fly throughout WestJet’s domestic, transborder and international network. Keep your eyes open and let us know when the Magic Plane comes to visit your airport.

WestJet Flying to Europe

November 15, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

WestJet today announced Dublin, Ireland, as the airline’s first transatlantic destination with seasonal daily service from June 15, 2014, to October 5, 2014, with non-stop flights to Dublin from St. John’s, Newfoundland, direct (same-aircraft) flights from Toronto and connections from across WestJet’s network.

The flights between Canada and the Ireland capital will be flown using 737 Next generation aircraft that are capable of making that hop in about 4-5 hours. This means that the already famous friendly and reliable WestJet is the new best choice for families that are hoping to travel to Europe for a Summer family vacation

Canada to Dublin WestJet Service

New daily non-stop flights between St. John’s and Dublin
New daily direct (same-aircraft) flights between Toronto and Dublin
New daily non-stop flights between Ottawa and St. John’s connecting to Dublin
Daily connections between Dublin and Halifax, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and other cities across WestJet’s network

All Dublin service will operate using WestJet’s Boeing Next-Generation 737-700 series aircraft.

“It is an exciting time for WestJet as we bring our unique brand of low fares and award-winning guest experience to a whole new market,” said Chris Avery, WestJet Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development. “WestJet’s innovative foray into the European market represents a willingness to do what it takes to connect Canadians to the world while bringing the world to Canada. From Dublin, guests can access low-cost flights to more than 100 cities in Europe.”

WestJet’s first transatlantic route will cut the current travel time from St. John’s to Dublin by nearly half, and in just about the same time it takes to fly from Toronto to Calgary, guests are able to experience ancient castles, cobblestone roads, and the Cliffs of Moher.

Survey on Summer holiday plans

October 5, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

According to a survey from AOL Travel and Zogby International, 57% of Americans feel they have less money to spend this year on summer vacations than they did in 2007 and are looking at ways to save on their travel costs. To save money, 33% of Americans are planning to stay with friends/family for lodging while 37% plan to drive rather than fly. Twenty percent of those surveyed are planning a vacation rental instead of a hotel this summer. These are just some of the many findings from a new interactive survey of Americans ages 18 and older that uncovers how Americans are planning to travel this summer.

“Due to the challenging economic outlook, rising fuel prices and the declining U.S. dollar abroad, money is tight for some and our survey shows that one-third of Americans are in fact changing how they travel just to save on costs” said Jim Kovarik, GM of AOL Travel. “Despite this, Americans won’t forgo their summer vacations.” [Read more…] about Survey on Summer holiday plans

WestJet deal western and eastern Canada today only

September 9, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

In celebration of spring, WestJet today announced a
one-day $29 springtime airfare sale for guests travelling within the western triangle. Guests
travelling between Calgary, Edmonton and Abbotsford can take advantage of the $29 fare
by booking on April 30, 2008, for travel until June 24, 2008. As part of this sale, the airline
is also offering $129 airfare for guests travelling between Abbotsford and Toronto before
June 24, 2008.

Check it out at WestJet

Take your kids to the park and Leave Them Alone

May 21, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

I remember as a kid in the 70s that I would get off school and just stay at the park or go home have a snack and then take off and play at the park. Nowadays that just does not happen much, in fact my kids only go to the park with me.

Well I was listening to a story on the radio today about Lenore Skenazy from Free Range Kids. Lenore has designated tomorrow “Take your kids to the park and leave them there” day. A bit of a long name but the whole idea seems to be causing a firestorm of criticism. Lenore is saying that kids are spending to little time hanging out together and because we coddle our kids they do not have a sense of personal responsibility that they should have.

Lenore has even written a book about the ideas called Free-Range Kids

I have two kids, a 6 year old son and a 10 year old daughter and up until a month ago I would never let them go to the park by themselves, I thought we were over protective but in fact this seems to be pretty normal in this day and age of dangerous predators and kidnappers.

What I found though from the interview was that Lenore stated that parks are safer today (although a lot emptier) than they were in the 70s and 80s when I was a kid. So I have to wonder if this is the truth then why is it that we are so preoccupied with protecting our kids from an invisible stranger when my parents were not nearly as worried years ago.

Well my guess as to why people are so worried for their kids is probably thanks in a large part to 24 hour news focusing on very scary stories that keep people tuned in. The dangers may be out there but every abducted kid story is big news for weeks so it looks like it is happening every day.

So what can we do to keep the kids safe? I believe that we need to warn our kids of dangers, don’t talk to strangers. Also it is a good idea to make sure that they are always aware of their surroundings and to have a safety term.

A safety term is a term that a family member or stranger would need to use to take the kid. Your child does not ask for it, the adult needs to give it unasked to make it effective. A term like “kittens like dogs” or something as strange so that there is no confusion.

So Lenore is talking about dropping your kids at the park alone for 30 minutes or an hour, not all day, starting at 10am or whatever time seems good in the morning and this way hopefully lots of kids get out and get to play together.

Do you like this idea? Does it seem too much for kids? Will it teach them personal responsibility?