- Mexico will introduce new entry requirements March 1 for Canadian visitors. Citizens will require a valid passport. Permanent residents will need either a permanent resident card, identity certificate or refugee travel document.
This move will align Mexico with security measures set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
- Air Canada is charging more for seats with extra legroom, such as bulkhead seats and those in emergency exit rows. Fees vary depending on the length of flight, fare class and the customer's Aeroplan status, and range from $14 to $100, one way.
- Duty-free goods can be pre-ordered through Sunwing Vacations' website, sunwing.ca. Customers click on "e-tickets" and use their booking number to access an online catalogue. Purchases are delivered to them on the plane.
- Porter Airlines is introducing year-round flights between Sudbury and Toronto City Airport on March 31, with one daily nonstop roundtrip flight and one-way fares starting at $99, plus taxes. Visit flyporter.com or phone 1-888-619-8622.
- WestJet will begin flying from Toronto to Bermuda on May 3, and from Toronto to Samana, Dominican Republic, on June 5.
- Finnair will operate five nonstop flights per week between Toronto and Helsinki between June 6 and Sept. 9.
- A WestJet flight attendant shared this funny bit with me: During the cold snap in Florida in early January, a WestJet flight had to sit in the sun until frost on its wings melted because there was no deicing equipment. While they were waiting, an airport worker trundled out a garden hose and started spraying the plane, thinking that might help. The flight attendant said the flight crew was in stitches.
MORE TRAVEL NEWS
- Guests at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts can be introduced to new skills and activities through its Apprentice-Trips by Fairmont program.
Some examples: A French immersion package at Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City; dessert-making at Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver; ski help from a team led by World Cup champion Lauralee Bowie at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Visit fairmont.com/promotions/apprenticetrips for a full list.
- An eight-day wine-tasting trip through British Columbia's Okanagan Valley will be introduced by Rocky Mountaineer starting in June, 2010. The price tag is $7,499 per person, befitting a trip that begins and ends with limousine transfers. In between there are wine-paired dinners at fine hotels in Vancouver and Banff, and Gold Leaf service on board the train. Rocky Mountaineer is also launching a seven-day golf-themed excursion from Vancouver to Calgary, via Vernon and Banff. Phone 800-665-7245 or visit rockymountaineer.com.
- Visitors to Vancouver are now able to download a free application called CitySmart for their smart phones that provides a guide to the city. Tourism Vancouver says this is the world's first completely interactive tourist and sporting event mobile application, providing live, updated tourist and event information, plus an advanced GPS system that gives detailed street navigation and breaking news on traffic situations. To download CitySmart, visittourismvancouver.com/download.
Cadillac Offering Recaro Performance SeatsThorough security await travellers
