Awarded 'Best Airline in North America' for 10th time.
MONTREAL – Air Canada has won multiple awards in reader surveys conducted by the world’s leading travel magazines, including being named for the tenth consecutive year “Best Airline in North America” by Global Traveler magazine and for the seventh consecutive year “Best North American Airline for International Travel” by Business Traveler magazine.
“We are very gratified to receive this recognition based on surveys of those who know the global airline industry best, frequent business and premium travelers. These awards affirm the success of our strategy to transform Air Canada into a leading international carrier and that customers are responding positively to the significant investment we have made to provide industry-leading products and services, both on-board our aircraft and in the airports from which we operate. Exemplifying our commitment to offer customers the very best amenities was the delivery this year of the first six of the 37 Boeing 787 Dreamliners we plan to introduce into our fleet. These aircraft feature an enhanced version of our International Business Class lie-flat seats, a Premium Economy cabin, and a state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system available free at every seat throughout our aircraft,” said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines, at Air Canada.
Air Canada continues to receive industry awards, including being named the only Four Star network carrier in North America by the rating agency SkyTrax and also for the fifth consecutive time ‘Best Airline in North America’ in the 2014 SkyTrax World Airline Awards. Other recent awards include:
- Best North American Airline for International Travel and Best North American Airline for Inflight Experience – Business Traveler magazine, 2014 Best in Business Travel Awards. This is the seventh consecutive year Air Canada has been named best airline for international travel;
- Best Airline in North America – Global Traveler magazine 2014 GT Tested Reader Survey awards. Air Canada has won this award for ten consecutive years and in recognition of having won this award ten times it was also named to Global Traveler’s “Hall of Fame”;
- Best Flight Attendants in North America – Premier Traveler magazine, Best of 2014 awards, the third consecutive year Air Canada has won this award.
Air Canada to Launch Non-stop Service to Dubai
Air Canada also said that it will launch non-stop service between Toronto and Dubai beginning in November 2015. The new route will extend the airline’s international network farther into the Middle East at a time of increased travel between North America and the region.
“Air Canada’s international growth strategy continues to accelerate with the addition of the seventh new international destination to our global network announced in the past year. The three-times-weekly Dubai service will be Air Canada’s first non-stop flight to the UAE at a time when air travel between North America and the region is growing, including more international connecting traffic over our Toronto global hub,” said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer at Air Canada.
“The introduction of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Air Canada’s fleet this year has been a catalyst for our international expansion plans, which will receive an additional impetus in 2015 when the larger Dreamliner 787-9 series aircraft begins to enter the fleet. The Dreamliner has brought international air travel to a new level of comfort and Air Canada has further enhanced the experience with its award-winning, three-cabin service.”
The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, said: “This government is committed to helping the Canadian air industry increase its access to international markets. Air Canada’s new service will play an important role in opening new markets in the Middle East and offer more options for travellers between Canada and the region. This benefits our air sector and promotes increased trade.”
The new route will increase Air Canada’s presence in the Middle East by providing its customers with direct, non-stop access to Dubai, complementing its other services in the region. Air Canada currently serves the region primarily through an extensive joint venture with its JV and Star Alliance partner Lufthansa over Frankfurt and Munich. In addition, the new route will build on Air Canada’s existing codeshare relationship with Etihad Airways, with whom it codeshares on three flights a week between Toronto and Abu Dhabi, in the UAE.
Since last December, Air Canada has announced new international service to Delhi, Amsterdam, Rio de Janeiro, Osaka, Tokyo-Haneda and Panama City. Including Dubai, Air Canada now serves or has announced service to a total of 66 international destinations on five continents from its Toronto global hub.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
