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☆ Air Canada's chatbot gave a passenger false information about claiming a discount, and the airline must now pay him compensation
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

An Air Canada chatbot told a customer he could receive a bereavement discount after traveling to his grandma's funeral. Air Canada unsuccessfully argued the chatbot's misleading information wasn't its responsibility. After exchanging emails for three months, an Air Canada representative told Moffatt the chatbot had provided "misleading words." When the case was brought to the tribunal, Air Canada asked the adjudicator to dismiss Moffatt's claim. "In effect, Air Canada suggests the chatbot is a separate legal entity that is responsible for its own actions," wrote Christopher Rivers, the adjudicator.

Persons: Air Canada chatbot, —, Jake Moffatt, Moffatt, chatbot, Christopher Rivers Organizations: Air, Air Canada, Service, Canada, Business Locations: Air Canada, Toronto, Vancouver

☆ 10 best ways to use Chase points for travel
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Jennifer Yellin | Andrew Kunesh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred cards are currently offering 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. These cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points which are some of the most valuable and flexible travel rewards points out there. But before you apply, let’s take a look at some of the best ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for travel. Best ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards pointsYou can book KLM business class by transferring Chase points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue. Use the Chase Travel portal to book any flightBook flights on any airline with the Chase Travel portal.

Persons: , you’ve, Air Canada Aeroplan, Chase, Kyle Olsen, —, Holly Johnson, Ziva, Eliyahu Parypa, that’s, that’ll, You’ll, you’ll, United Chase, MileagePlus, Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, it’s, you’re Organizations: CNN, American Express, Chase Sapphire, Chase, Hyatt, United MileagePlus, Air Canada, Chase Travel, KLM, Air France, Blue, CNN, United Airlines, Aer Lingus AerClub Air Canada Aeroplan Air France, KLM Flying Blue British Airways Executive Club Emirates, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Rapid, United, Virgin Atlantic Flying, redemptions, you’ll, Southwest Airlines, British Airways, Images British Airways, Oneworld, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways Executive Club, British Airways Executive, Miami . British Airways, British, Air Canada's, Air, Star Alliance, Minneapolis . Air, Midwest, Singapore Airlines ’, Aloha State, Iberia Airlines, Iberia Avios, Sapphire, Virgin Points, All Nippon Airways, All Nippon Airways One, Virgin Atlantic, ANA, Virgin, Virgin Atlantic Virgin Points Delta Air, Virgin Atlantic Virgin, Delta Air Lines, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Ink Locations: United, Japan, Iberia, Mexico, Bay, Jamaica, Cancun, Chicago, New York, United States, Caribbean, Washington, American, Alaska, Atlanta, Miami, Minneapolis, Minneapolis . Air Canada, Newark, Fort Lauderdale, Hawaii, East, Aeroplan, United Airlines, iStockphoto Hawaii, Los Angeles, Kona, Spain, Europe, United Kingdom, Madrid, Barcelona, Boston, Iberia Iberia, San Francisco, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Rome, Paris, Delta

A rebound in Asia is especially important for airlines where long-haul travel makes up a bigger mix of revenue. Travel spending in Asia Pacific is set to grow 41% this year to $567 billion, and rise to $800 billion by 2027, according to data from the Global Business Travel Association. The planned capacity, which has not been previously reported, is a strong rebound from 2022, when the carrier's Asia-Pacific traffic was 33% of 2019 levels. Travel to Asia is also a source of high-margin revenue at a time when soaring labor and fuel costs are pressuring profit and domestic fares are declining. Across the border, Air Canada said the increase in Asia Pacific capacity would more than double its overall system growth.

Persons: Toby Melville, Andrew Nocella, Mark Galardo, Galardo, Raymond James, Savanthi Syth, Allison Lampert, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Ben Klayman, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Heathrow Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Carriers, Business, Global Business Travel Association, Air, Reuters, United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Asia Pacific, United, Delta, Tourism Economics, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Rights MONTREAL, CHICAGO, Asia, Pacific, Europe, Asia Pacific, U.S, United States, Atlanta, Manila, Philippines, San Francisco, New Zealand, Chicago, Air Canada, Air Canada's Vancouver, Canada, North America, Ukraine, Hong Kong, East Coast, Newark , New Jersey, Toronto, China, Montreal

Sept 29 (Reuters) - Air Canada (AC.TO) pilots staged a protest at Toronto's Pearson Airport on Friday, demanding better pay and benefits as talks over a new contract covering 4,500 pilots at Canada's largest carrier continue. We have to close the growing wage gap between us and our American counterparts," Chair of the governing body for the airline's pilots union Charlene Hudy told Reuters. Currently, the union is actively engaged in negotiations with Air Canada, and it anticipates that these discussions will persist throughout the entire month of October, Hudy added. "We are still early in the bargaining process and Air Canada remains engaged in productive discussions with ALPA," the carrier said on Friday. The pilots for the Montreal-based carrier, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) union, began bargaining for new labor terms this summer.

Persons: Charlene Hudy, Hudy, Shivansh, Shweta Agarwal Organizations: Air Canada, Toronto's Pearson, Canada's, Canadian, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, American, Reuters, Air, Air Line Pilots Association, Thomson Locations: Montreal, Bengaluru, Wa Lone, Toronto

☆ Air Canada to operate as usual during informational picket by pilots union
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Two Air Canada Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircrafts are seen on the ground as Air Canada Embraer aircraft flies in the background at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Chris Helgren Acquire Licensing RightsSept 27 (Reuters) - Air Canada (AC.TO) said on Wednesday it will operate the airline as usual when its pilots conduct an informational picket at the company's main hub, the Pearson International Airport, on Friday. "As we watch Air Canada cut routes due to an industry-wide shortage of pilots, we encourage them to close the growing wage gap between Canada and the United States," said Charlene Hudy, chair of the Air Canada Master Executive Council, in a statement on Tuesday. Air Canada's estimated 4,500 pilots have received a 2% wage increase per year since 2014. The pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) union, began bargaining for new labor terms this summer, before the end of their decade-long contract.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Charlene Hudy, Ananta Agarwal, Devika Organizations: Air Canada Boeing, Air Canada Embraer, Toronto Pearson International Airport, REUTERS, Air Canada, Pearson International, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Air, Air Canada's, Air Line Pilots Association, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, Air Canada, United States, North America, Bengaluru

☆ 2 passengers traveling from Canada to Egypt sued Air Canada for a 56-hour flight delay and won $740 each in compensation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Two passengers won a lawsuit against Air Canada for a 56-hour delay in their three-leg flight. Two passengers from Kelowna, Canada, won a lawsuit against Air Canada for an international flight delay that set them back by 56 hours. The international flight consisted of three legs: Kelowna to Vancouver, Vancouver to London, England, and London to Cairo. Air Canada claimed the flight delay was due to "air traffic control restraints" and a ground delay program — a procedure used for air traffic control — operated by Nav Canada, which oversees the country's air traffic controllers. Air Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider, sent outside regular business hours.

Persons: Abdallah Mohamed, Ghada Ali, Mohamed, Ali, —, Shelley Lopez, AC862, Lopez Organizations: Air Canada, Morning, Air, Vancouver . Air Canada, Nav Canada Locations: Canada, Cairo, Egypt, Kelowna, British Columbia, Air Canada, Vancouver, London, England

Smoke hangs in the air on the outskirts of Yellowknife after a state of emergency was declared due to the proximity of a wildfire in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada August 16, 2023. "We have put in place a cap on our fares for non-stop flights out of Yellowknife," said Air Canada, the country's largest carrier, in a statement. Air Canada said it has cancelled flights out of Yellowknife on Saturday to comply with the evacuation order given by the Northwest Territories government. This is how Air Canada plans on helping?" Canada's Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez will be speaking with Air Canada today to receive an update on the situation on the ground, a spokesperson said.

Persons: Smoke, Pat Kane, WestJet, Pablo Rodriguez, Allison Lampert, Ismail Shakhil, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Air Canada, WestJet Airlines, Canada's, . Air, Northwest Territories, Air, Facebook, Thomson Locations: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, Canadian, Calgary, . Air Canada, Air Canada, Montreal, Ottawa

☆ Off-duty pilot helps land Air Canada plane after medical emergency - TSB
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

OTTAWA, June 23 (Reuters) - One of the pilots flying an Air Canada jet airliner became incapacitated during a domestic flight but the plane landed safely after an off-duty pilot stepped in to help, authorities said on Friday. The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) said the incident occurred on June 7 during a 2,115 km (1,300 mile) flight to St John's in the Atlantic province of Newfoundland from Toronto. A deadheading captain assumed the crew member's duties and landed the aircraft without further incident," the TSB said in an emailed statement. A deadheading pilot is one who is flying commercially on their way to a new assignment. According to Air Canada's website, the carrier generally operates the flight with an Airbus A-220 twin-engine airliner, which can carry around 140 passengers.

Persons: John's, David Ljunggren, Grant McCool Organizations: OTTAWA, Air Canada, Transportation Safety Board, TSB, Air Canada's, Airbus, Thomson Locations: Atlantic, Newfoundland, Toronto

☆ Japan sees 1.9 million visitors in May, down from cherry blossom rush
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, June 21 (Reuters) - Japan saw a slight decline in visitors in May from the previous month, when a rush of tourists came to see the nation's famous cherry blossoms without COVID-19 restrictions, official data showed on Wednesday. The number of foreign visitors for business and leisure came in just below 1.9 million last month from a post-pandemic high of 1.95 million in April, the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) said. Meanwhile, the yen has weakened sharply against other major currencies, making trips to Japan the cheapest in many years. "Japan has been viewed for a long time as a bucket list country by North American leisure travellers," she said. "Now that Japan has reopened to tourists and the current exchange rate makes leisure trips less expensive, we think this trend will continue to grow."

Persons: Jefferies, Mitsuko Miyasako, Kiyo Weiss, Rocky Swift, Varun, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Japan National Tourism Organisation, Consumer, J.Front, Air, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, China, Tourism, Osaka, Kyoto, Asia, Pacific, American

☆ Air Canada pilots end 10-year contract framework, eye bargaining
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Allison Lampert | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Air Canada pilots have previously said they are pressing for "historic" gains to narrow the earnings gap with higher-paid aviators at U.S. carriers. "We were willing to meet with the company if they wanted to provide us with a substantial proposal that would further our membership’s goals," said the letter, adding Air Canada did not seek to open discussions. The Air Canada pilots group, which joined the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) this month, said in a separate document it expects a notice to bargain to be provided in early June. "Our pilots may elect to use the option that was available to them to initiate bargaining for a new collective agreement," Montreal-based Air Canada said in an emailed statement. U.S. pilots made gains in a recent tentative agreement with American Airlines (AAL.O) and a separate deal with Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) which delivers a 34% pay increase over four years.

☆ WestJet, pilots in tentative deal for 24% hourly raise over 4 years, document shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( Allison Lampert | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MONTREAL, May 26 (Reuters) - WestJet Airlines pilots will get a 24% hourly raise over four years, plus other pay and benefits as part of a tentative agreement reached in May, according to a copy seen by Reuters on Friday. The tentative agreement was reached by Onex Corp's (ONEX.TO) WestJet and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) less than 24 hours before the start of an expected strike at Canada's second-largest carrier. The deal, pending approval by WestJet pilots, is expected to put pressure on Air Canada (AC.TO) as the larger rival faces a call from its pilots to narrow the earnings gap with higher-paid aviators in the United States. Air Canada, which is not currently in negotiations, has said it abides by the 10-year contract. After 11 years, a top-paid Air Canada B787 pilot earns C$313.81 ($234.68) an hour, according to an internal table seen by Reuters.

☆ WestJet pay debate sets scene for Air Canada's pilots
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Allison Lampert | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MONTREAL, May 18 (Reuters) - A faceoff this week between WestJet Airlines and its pilots over pay could set the stage for aviators' demands in future bargaining with Air Canada (AC.TO). It would be the first major pilots' strike in Canada since 1998, according to a spokesperson for Canada's Labor Minister Seamus O'Regan, who is at the talks. ALPA president Jason Ambrosi recently told Reuters that a key priority is to narrow the pay gap between Air Canada pilots and their U.S. counterparts, echoing the union's demand for a "North American" contract at WestJet. Gradek added there is a group of Air Canada pilots "who have been chomping at the bit" to get a significant bump in wages. Air Canada pilots, who have received a 2% wage increase per year since 2014, have complained Delta’s latest hourly pay rates are up to 45% higher.

You can get many thousands of dollars in value from Aeroplan points even if you never step foot on an Air Canada plane. Earn Aeroplan points with credit cards and points transfersThe Aeroplan® Credit Card is the only US credit card that earns Aeroplan points directly. So if you transferred 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you'd end up with 20,000 Aeroplan points, plus a 5,000-point bonus for a total of 25,000 Aeroplan points. Earn Aeroplan points flying Air CanadaThe next easiest way to rack up Aeroplan points is by actually flying Air Canada, but the earning formula is going to change later this year. As far as we know, it will look like this:Basic fares: Earn 2x points per (Canadian) dollarStandard fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarFlex/Comfort fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarLatitude fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarPremium economy fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarBusiness fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarEssentially, everything but basic economy fares will earn 3x per dollar.

Review: Is the Chase Aeroplan card the best credit card for you? It's not often an airline credit card makes waves with a strong welcome bonus and completely unique benefits, but the Aeroplan® Credit Card has managed to do just that. As the first Air Canada-branded credit card offered by Chase (and the only Aeroplan card on the US market) the Aeroplan® Credit Card is packed with perks — and it's worth considering, even if you're not a regular Air Canada flyer. However, points transferred to your Aeroplan account from the Aeroplan® Credit Card won't expire as long as your card account is open. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightAeroplan credit card fees and costsThe Aeroplan® Credit Card charges a $95 annual fee, but you won't pay foreign transaction fees, which makes it a good card to use when you're traveling internationally.

The Chase Aeroplan Credit Card is a better deal than it's been in a long time. You'll automatically earn 25K Elite Status when you open the card for the current calendar year and the following calendar year. On top of that, the value of Aeroplan points is above average at 1.5 cents each, per Insider's valuations. Other ways to earn Air Canada Aeroplan pointsIf you're not ready to commit to a credit card that earns points in a single loyalty program (but still want the option to earn Aeroplan points), you may do better with a card that earns transferable points. That means you'll have access to Aeroplan points when you earn rewards with popular travel cards, including:You can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Air Canada Aeroplan at a 3:1 ratio, with a bonus of 5,000 Aeroplan points for every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer.

☆ Sunwing union opposes Canadian carrier's plans to hire foreign pilots
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( Allison Lampert | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Airline industry use of foreign pilots as aviation rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic is sensitive for unions in Canada and the United States. Those unions want greater efforts to hire pilots from the airlines' home countries despite complaints of shortages. The use of pilots as temporary foreign workers is rare compared with other sectors. In the first half of 2022, Canadian employers were granted permission to fill 32 pilot positions with temporary foreign workers, according to government data. A spokeswoman for O'Regan said it was up to an employer to meet requirements to bring in temporary foreign workers.

☆ Chase Aeroplan credit card review: A 70,000-point welcome bonus and unique travel perks make this card a good pick even if you don't fly Air Canada
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-16 | by ( Jasmin Baron | Read More | Read Less | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +31 min

Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightReview: Is the Chase Aeroplan card the best credit card for you? It's not often an airline credit card makes waves with a strong welcome bonus and completely unique benefits, but the Aeroplan® Credit Card has managed to do just that. Free first checked bag on Air Canada flightsWith the Chase Aeroplan® Credit Card, the primary cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation get a free first checked bag on Air Canada, Air Canada Express, and Air Canada Rouge flights. Carbon offsetsTo help reduce the impact of greenhouse gas emissions associated with travel, Air Canada will purchase carbon offsets for primary cardholders of the Chase Aeroplan® Credit Cardand all travel companions on the same award reservation, for any flight segments on Air Canada, Air Canada Express, and Air Canada Rouge. Otherwise, you're not eligible if you already have a Aeroplan® Credit Card open, or previously opened the card in the past 24 months.

☆ You can transfer Chase points to 14 airline and hotel partners, and it's one of the best ways to get maximum value from your Ultimate Rewards
▼ + stars: | 2022-01-05 | by ( David Mcmillin | Read More | Read Less | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +27 min

Transferring to partners is one of the best ways to get the maximum value from your Chase points. How to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards pointsTo be able to enjoy transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you'll first need to earn them. Iberia PlusNot one, not two, but three different programs allow you to turn your Ultimate Rewards points into Avios points. The Saver option is, naturally, the lowest cost in terms of points and the best way to maximize the value of your Ultimate Rewards points. How to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards pointsOnce you've found a great redemption through a Chase Ultimate Rewards airline or hotel partner, your next step is to transfer your points from Chase to the loyalty program where you want to make a booking.

With the launch of the new Chase Aeroplan credit card, there are now more ways than ever to earn Air Canada Aeroplan points. How to earn Aeroplan pointsUnder the new scheme, Aeroplan members can earn points (not miles) in a number of ways. Earn Aeroplan points with credit cards and points transfersThe new Aeroplan® Credit Card is the only US credit card that earns Aeroplan points directly. So if you transferred 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points, you'd end up with 20,000 Aeroplan points, plus a 5,000-point bonus for a total of 25,000 Aeroplan points. As far as we know, it will look like this:Basic fares: Earn 2x points per (Canadian) dollarStandard fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarFlex/Comfort fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarLatitude fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarPremium economy fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarBusiness fares: Earn 3x points per (Canadian) dollarEssentially, everything but basic economy fares will earn 3x per dollar.

☆ The best ways to use the sign-up bonus on the Ink Business credit cards
▼ + stars: | 2021-06-28 | by ( Jennifer Yellin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +25 min

While the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred allow you to transfer points to partner loyalty programs, that same redemption options doesn’t hold true for your no-annual-fee cards, such as the Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited. If you earn 90,000 bonus points from the Ink Business Cash or Ink Business Unlimited, you can use those points to stay at one of these all-inclusive properties for up to seven nights. While points earned from the Ink Business Cash or Ink Business Unlimited don’t count toward earning the Companion Pass, having the points can still be beneficial. When redeeming your Ultimate Rewards points directly through your Ink Business Cash or Ink Business Unlimited, points are worth 1 cent each. This makes the 90,000 bonus points on the Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited worth $1,125 to $1,350 towards your next vacation — when paired with a premium card.

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