WestJet Flying to Myrtle Beach

WestJet launched its new twice-weekly, non-stop service between Toronto (Pearson Airport) and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on May 2nd.

“Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular destinations for Canadian vacationers, with more than 90 kilometers of picturesque beaches, world-class golf and warm southern hospitality,” said Chris Avery, WestJet vice-president, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development. “The baggage capacity of our 737 aircraft is ideal for those travelling with golf clubs and our first checked bag free is popular with leisure travellers.”

WestJet’s Toronto-Myrtle Beach service runs Thursdays and Sundays

10 THINGS TRAVELERS CAN ASK FOR ON A PLANE

If you don't ask, you will not get it. Thanks to reducing the size of airport seats to saving money on in-flight amenities, airlines have a cheap reputation today. However, for those who dare to ask, they may find that these airlines may not be as bargain-basement as they seem.

The next time a passenger has a headache or a thirst that requires more than the standard airline refreshments, they can simply ask for the things that they need. Listed below are 10 things on the 'just ask for' listings.

1) Wing Pins for Kids
Although most airlines do not offer free food and snacks to their passengers, most still have the little flyers wing pins available to celebrate their flights. Therefore, the children can ask the flight attendants for the wing pins.

2) The Whole Can
In the past, passengers normally felt extra special when they were on board. The airline stewardess appeared to supply drinks and snacks that were enough to keep them comfortable until they got to their next destination. Today, flight attendants will only pour a small amount from the can of soda before they give the passenger a little cup. Which means, the drink that is left over can be served to the next passenger. Instead of allowing the flight attendant to pour the rest of the can in another passenger's cup, the person can request the whole can.

3) Basic Medicines and Bandages
If a passenger has a splitting headache that will not go away, flight attendants can provide basic medications to their passengers. Most passengers will not know this unless they ask. This also includes asking for bandages.

4) Water-Bottle Refills
As long as a passenger is onboard the plane, flight attendants can refill their empty water bottles. This service is often needed and necessary because people must empty their water bottles before they can get to the plane.

5) Help Finding a Doctor
Sometimes a passenger may have a medical emergency, while on board. In these situations, the passenger can request assistance from a doctor. The stewardess will respond immediately by asking for a physician over the loud speaker.

6) Seconds
When the flight attendants serve the passengers, they are instructed to serve specific amounts. However, if the person is still famished for whatever reason, they can ask for seconds and it can be granted – as long as the flight attendant has leftovers.

7) Help Switching Seats
Sometimes people may be traveling together, but they are seated in different places. Asking for a switch in seating is also legal to do. However, most flight attendants are more receptive when the passenger waits until everyone has been seated in the proper places.

8) Short-Term Babysitting
Flying alone with small children can be difficult for any mother. Sometimes the mother will need help. Based on specific airline rules, the attendants can provide short-term babysitting, e.g. when the mother needs to use the bathroom.

9) Cockpit Tours
With all of the security concerns in airports today, most people may think that the cockpit is off limits but it is not. If a passenger asks, many pilots will provide the tour at the end of the flight. In fact, some pilots love to share their offices with passengers that have an interest, specifically the children.

10)  Sanitizing Wipes
With all of the germs that people pass today, sanitizing wipes are also available via the assistance of flight attendants.

Reprinted from May 2013 edition YYZ Travel Group Newsletter  BUSINESS FIRST

Turkey now has convenient e-Visa option

What is e-Visa?


Citizens of certain countries are eligible for e-Visa (Check the back page for the full list). It replaces “sticker” and “stamp-type” visas formerly issued at the borders. Applicants obtain their visa electronically after completing all the required steps on www.evisa.gov.tr

Why would I get e-Visa?

By getting e-Visa you can save the time, that you would otherwise spend on “sticker visa”, “stamp-type visa” or “regular visa” procedures.


What do I need for e-Visa application?

A minimum 6-month-valid (as of the date of travel) passport
Flight (or any other possible means of transportation) reservation
Credit or debit card (Mastercard or Visa) - For detailed information please visit www.evisa.gov.tr

How can I get my e-Visa?

The whole process is completed in 3 steps.

Step 1: Application

Visit www.evisa.gov.tr and fill up the application form. (You should make separate applications for each traveler)

Step 2: Payment

You can make the payment by credit or debit card. (Mastercard or Visa) Visa fee is deducted from your account after your application is approved.

Step 3: Download

Your e-Visa will be e-mailed to you within 24 hours after completion of your application. You are required to print out your e-Visa, show it to airport officials and customs officers and keep it with you throughout your stay.

Who is eligible for e-Visa?

The citizens of the countries listed in Table 1 are eligible for e-Visa. The citizens of the countries listed in Table 2 are also eligible, provided that they comply with some criteria.

To check these criteria, go to www.evisa.gov.tr, click “Apply Now”, and choose your country. E-Visa is valid only for tourism or trade purposes. For other purposes, such as work or study, you must make a visa application through Turkish Embassies or Consulates.

Airline Requirements

For e-Visa to be effective, citizens of certain countries are required to travel to Turkey by the airline companies that concluded protocols with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. In this regard, you are expected to read the notifications in the application step carefully.

The validity period of your e-Visa begins from the date specified in your application. You can enter Turkey on any date within this period. If you do not use your e-Visa within this period, you need to make another application for a new e-Visa.

You can get a multiple-entry e-Visa if you are a citizen of certain countries. To check your eligibility, www.evisa.gov.tr, click “Apply Now”, and choose your country.

Citizens of the countries listed below are eligible to apply for e-Visa.

Antigua and Barbuda -  Armenia - Australia  - Austria  - Bahamas  - Bahrain -  Barbados -  Belarus Belgium -  Canada  - Croatia  - Dominica -  Dominican Republic  - Greek Cypriot - Administration Grenada - Haiti - Hong Kong -  Hungary -  Indonesia - Ireland  - Jamaica - Kuwait  - Maldives - Malta Mauritius - Netherlands - Norway - Oman  - Poland - Portugal  - Qatar  - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Saint Lucia - Saudi Arabia - Slovakia  - South Africa - Spain - U.S.A. - United Arab Emirates - United Kingdom


The table listed above are subject to change. For the updated information please visit www.evisa.gov.tr

Information provided courtesy of Turkish Airlines

WestJet and Icelandair Launch New Interline Agreement

A single combined e-ticket can now be fooked for WestJet and Icelandair flights

WestJet and Icelandair have launched a new interline agreement opening up the skies for passengers connecting between the Americas and more than 20 Icelandair destinations throughout Europe.
Passengers can now book a single combined e-ticket for WestJet and Icelandair flights which includes single check-in for all flights and baggage sent through to the final destination.

When connecting in the Americas, Icelandair customers will fly aboard WestJet’s fleet of Boeing 737 Next-Generation aircraft serving more than 80 cities in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
Earlier this year Icelandair expanded its seasonal service from Toronto to a year-round operation with plans to increase capacity next summer. Icelandair will also resume seasonal service from Halifax with two flights a week starting June 1, 2013

Reprinted from YYZ Travel Group Newsletter - May 2013

Airplanes to remain knife-free. For now.

Facing a huge backlash from the public and the Flight Attendants Union, the US Transportation Security yesterday postponed its controversial plan to allow knives on US flights beginning on Thursday.

The change would have allowed pocketknives with blades under 2.36 inches long and less than half an inch wide. Knives have been banned since terrorists commandeered airplanes in the attacks of September 11, 2001.

A group of 133 Congressmen had signed a letter urging TSA to withdraw the plan, and the Flight Attendants Union has been a vocal opponent.

The Flight Attendants noted in a statement that in order to change a rule, TSA is legally required to issue a notice of rule-making, to allow all interested parties the opportunity to submit comments, and to fairly consider that input.
"If those procedures are followed, we have no doubt that the Administrator will conclude that knives have no place on our planes and will leave the rule barring 'weapons' in place," the union said.

A number of airline unions are working with Congressmen Ed Markey (D-MA) and Michael Grimm (R-NY), and Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), to propose legislation to permanently keep knives off planes.

In announcing the postponement, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, agreed the TSA should get input from stakeholders and transportation security experts.
A TSA spokesman in March had defended the idea of allowing knives, saying the TSA's primary mission is to stop terrorists from bringing down airplanes, which a pocketknife is not likely to do. The safety of travelers on planes is just a "tangential or residual benefit of the things we do," he said.

Thompson noted that the TSA, "paid for by the American public, must understand that its mission is to protect people—passengers and crew."

 

Reprinted from YYZ Travel Group Newsletter BUSINESS FIRST, issue for May, 2013