Ticketing specialists add more airlines to its global network

Hahn Air, the German airline and ticketing specialist already integrated ten new carriers into its global network of more than 350 air, rail and shuttle partners by the end of March of this year.

Among the new partnerships, two are new interline agreements. The flights of the Thai low-cost airline Nok Air (DD) and of Precision Air (PW) from Tanzania can now be issued on the insolvency-safe HR-169 ticket. Travel agents can find and book their flights under the airlines’ own two-letter-codes in selected GDSs even in markets where the carriers are not members of the local payment systems (BSPs).

Yet another new look for Canadian airline Flair

The Canadian airline Flair had been operating for more than a decade as a charter airline, it was quite successful in that guise. However, it wanted to change its identity and business model and became the first independently owned low-cost carrier in Canada in July of 2017.

It changed from Flair Air to Flair Airlines, it revamped its classy livery around two years ago and now the budget carrier seems to be having another identity crisis.  With money tight and loads not as high as hoped, the firm is wasting more money with a complete rebrand, including a new paint job to be afflicted to its fleet of aircraft. The new prime colour on its aircraft, website and all company branding is a lurid lime green.  Gone are the stylish lines and sleek logo replaced with a splodge and bold type.

Flair operates a fleet of Boeing 737-400 and 737-800 aircraft and operates flights to 11 cities with an average of 178 flights a week. Like all low-cost carriers Flair charges for all services,  seat selection is an average of $28.75 each, cabin bags are charged fees from $36.75 to an astronomical $92.  Hold luggage fees range from $31.05 to $80.05 for the first bag, put a second case in the hold and it will cost you between $42.00 and $57.05. The firm also charges $2.50 for water and $15 to call them.

No more the Friendly Flair...........Canadian ultra-low-cost-carrier Flair Air blackmails staff to call off strike action.

This article by Jason Shaw was first published on Aerotime News Hub

Canadian ultra-low-cost-carrier Flair Air blackmails staff to

call off strike action.      

In a surprising move by an airline that prides itself on creating a friendly environment, Flair Airlines, the ultra-low-cost Canadian carrier that charges $15 to call its call centre has blackmailed staff against taking strike action.

In a long-running dispute over a uniformity of wages, pensions, as well as time credits and scheduling issues, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents 139 Flair Air's flight attendants called for a strike action from Midnight on December 10th. "For the past several weeks, this employer has steadfastly refused to step away from its position of two-tier wages and benefits, which is fundamentally unfair," said CUPE National Representative Gary Yee.

Flair Air staff strike planned for Monday 10th December

Photo Flair Air

The Canadian Union of Public Employees, CUPE filed a 72-hour strike notice for the 139 flight attendants who work for ultra-low-cost Canadian carrier Flair Airlines.

The union issued the strike notice following a meeting with the carrier on December 5th which failed to find a suitable agreement on wages and pensions as well as time credits/scheduling issues.  "For the past several weeks, this employer has steadfastly refused to step away from its position of two-tier wages and benefits, which is fundamentally unfair," said CUPE National Representative Gary Yee, 

"Flair is transparently engaging in a divide and conquer strategy aimed at driving a wedge between workers in order to compete with other ultra-low-cost carriers. It is completely unfair to pay one group of flight attendants 30 per cent less for doing the same work as other flight attendants." Yee continued.

The strike has been called to start at midnight on Monday, December 10th and could affect staff at 

Flair bases in Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna and Abbotsford, however, the airline believes its flying schedule will be unaffected.

A Flair Airlines spokesperson told us, "Over the past few months, Flair Airlines has worked with CUPE to reach agreement on compensation terms for our team of flight attendants. 

To date, we have been unable to reach an agreement. As a result, CUPE has called for strike on Monday, December 10th, 2018. We have historically paid our team of flight attendants 30% higher starting wages than our competitors.  We cannot continue to pay this kind of premium, and have requested all new flight attendants start at the same wages as our competitors.

Our aircrew is at the heart of our organisation, and we believe our current offer provides a high quality of life for our flight attendants, while ensuring our business remains sustainable. After CUPE called the strike, we received considerable support from our flight attendants. Many contacted management to indicate they will work during any labour action called by the union. 

The support we have received suggests all flights will operate normally on Monday, but we recommend passengers check the status of their flight on our website."

Flair Air staff strike planned for Monday 10th December

Flair Airlines first US bound service starts.

A major milestone in the development of Canadian low-fare airline, Flair, took place today as the carrier launched its first US-bound flight.

The airline's first flight, 777 to Las Vegas left Edmonton International Airport with a full load of excited passengers and was just the start of a number of southbound flights. In December Flair will begin flying to Palm Springs, Miami, Orlando and Phoenix/Mesa. Flair’s Executive Chairman, David Tait, stated, “Today is a momentous day in our history as it the first of our multiple new trans-border services.” 

Low Fare Flair hosts a huge party for an on-time departure

for its first US flight to Vegas

“Edmonton International Airport is honoured to host Flair’s first scheduled US flight,” said Tom Ruth, Edmonton International Airport President and CEO. “Las Vegas is an incredibly popular destination with travellers from the Edmonton Metro Region, Western Canada and the North.”

Flair Airlines flight 777 was welcomed in Vegas to the salute of water cannons, Elvis, and Showgirls.  “We are pleased to welcome Flair Airlines to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas and wish it great success with these new air service offerings from Edmonton,” said Chris Jones, chief marketing officer for the Clark County Department of Aviation. 

“We are excited to welcome new seasonal flights from Canada with our latest travel partner, Flair Airlines,” said Cathy Tull, chief marketing officer for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Canada has nearly 1.5 million visitors to Las Vegas annually and as such represents our largest source of international visitors. Flair’s new service will provide further access and convenience for our Canadian friends to see why Las Vegas is the perfect escape this winter.”

Flair's fantastic load factor

The low-fare Flair, of Canada, has announced a busy summer which has seen the airline double its flying operations and score a high load factor.  More than 90% is far more than many in the industry had predicted for the friendly low-cost carrier.  

“It’s been a delightfully busy summer for us” stated David Tait, Flair’s Executive Chairman. “Since mid-June - when we more than doubled our capacity and expanded our network to 10 cities from Victoria to Halifax - our fleet of seven aircraft has carried more than a quarter million passengers and we’re currently enjoying load factors in excess of 90%.”

The airline is working closely with the local community around its new home base of Edmonton, as it truly becomes the city’s ‘hometown airline'. To further emphasise the point, already, some 75% of Flair's flights go through Edmonton International Airport EIA. Throughout the coming months, Flair will continue to relocate staff to its new HQ building at EIA, as well as hire new members of the team.  

David Tait said, “As one of the founders of Virgin Atlantic Airways, I’ve played the David versus Goliath role before – and won! The tenacity of the Flair team, their spirit and determination to ensure that air travel becomes an affordable reality for all Canadians is really quite remarkable. I am truly proud to be of a part of this dynamic team, and, as Yogi Berra would have said, “It’s déjà vu all over again.” 

 Flair recently announced low fare service (starting in December) out of Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto (YYZ), to Palm Springs, Phoenix/Mesa, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando and St. Pete/Clearwater.  The airline is also moving forward with an impressive fleet expansion and renewal programme that should see up to 20 newer, more fuel efficient and longer-range aircraft in Flair's colours by the end of 2020. The first additions will start arriving in early 2019!  

Canada's Flair Airlines adds new US routes for winter 2018

Canada's only independent low fare carrier, Flair Airlines has announced today that it will be introducing non-stop flights to six popular U.S. destinations for this winter.  

The new routes will greatly extend Flair's already rapidly growing route network, to Florida's Orlando International Airport, St. Pete-Clearwater (Tampa Bay) and Miami as well as to Palm Springs, Las Vegas and Phoenix-Mesa Airport.

"The majority of our new services concentrate on Edmonton and Winnipeg," said David Tait, Flair's Executive Chairman; "Having brought low fare service to 10 Canadian cities this summer, we are now taking the show on the road and heading south to some of the most popular winter getaway spots: Escaping the great Canadian winter will cost a lot less this year."

More airlines for Aeroplan

Aimia Inc. the company behind  Aeroplan Miles, has announced today that two new airlines have entered into new preferred partnership arrangements with Aeroplan with effect from July 2020 when Air Canada leaves the programme.

The two new additions, following fresh on the heels of the Billy Bishop based Porter are Air Transat, Canada's number one holiday airline and the low-cost-carrier that operates almost 200 weekly domestic flights, Flair. 

Aeroplan will become Flair's loyalty programme, therefore Aeroplan Members will be able to both earn Aeroplan Miles when booking flights on Flair routes and redeem for flights at fixed-rate fares.  "At Flair we provide affordable flight options for Canadians. Our arrangement with Aeroplan helps further that commitment," said Jim Scott, CEO Flair Airlines. "Our passengers will now be rewarded for their loyalty with the ability to earn and redeem Aeroplan Miles for flights. This partnership strengthens our value proposition, giving more people the ability to fly to their preferred destination."

More Flair in the air as the Canadian low-cost airline announces new route

Toronto is in the sights for the Canadian low-fare airline, Flair.  The airline has confirmed today that it will feature a new service between Toronto and Winnipeg in its new winter schedule from 28th October this year to 28th April next year.

The daily service from Toronto to Winnipeg, with connections to Calgary and Vancouver, is in an addition to the current daily service from Toronto to Edmonton which connects to Kelowna and Vancouver.  Calgary will also have new direct, daily service to Abbotsford. 

Victoria and Halifax remain summer seasonal routes as planned, services there will conclude on October 27th, but worry not, they are scheduled to return in the spring of 2019.

Flair Airlines to move HQ to Edmonton International

The low-fare Canadian airline, Flair has announced that it will be on the move to a new home base.  The expanding carrier says that after extensive analysis, it will build on the success of Edmonton International Airport as its main transfer hub by officially establishing itself as Edmonton's Hometown Airline. 

Flair Airlines plans to continue to expand its route network to and from Edmonton by growing its frequency and destinations served, both domestic and trans-border; announcing new low-fare routes in the coming weeks.  Flair will also progressively relocate its operations and executive base in Edmonton.

Flair's Executive Chairman, David Tait, commented, "Just last week Flair doubled its frequency out of Edmonton and, as one of the fastest growing cities in the country, the community and the airport are uniquely positioned to support our ongoing growth: Already, of Flair's almost 200 flights per week, 65% of them fly to/from Edmonton. We are also looking forward to tapping into Edmonton's professional talent pool, as we progressively establish our headquarters here over the coming months."

Flair Airlines Expands Network

Flair Airlines, Canada's only operating low-fare airline, today launches service from Halifax Stanfield International Airport, Calgary International Airport and Victoria International Airport. This marks Flair's commitment to expanding its route network as was announced earlier this year. With today's addition of Halifax, Calgary and Victoria - coupled with increased frequency on its existing routes - Flair has effectively doubled its flights and now has services stretching coast to coast.

More flare for Flair as former Virgin exec joins the team

Flair Airlines is delighted to announce that David M. Tait OBE has joined Canada's only operating low fare airline in the capacity of Executive Chairman.

A Canadian, David brings a wealth of unique airline experience having worked with Wardair Canada in Toronto, Laker Airways in Toronto and Miami, Virgin Atlantic Airways in New York and Air Canada in Montreal.

Flair Airlines Set to Paint the Skies in New Colours

Canada's leader in ultra-low fare travel is pleased to announce today, its first aircraft with its new livery is complete.  This design was chosen in the summer of 2017 by Canadians during an online customer survey in which several options for the new livery were available to choose from for Flair's aircraft fleet.

The recently acquired Boeing 737-400 in Flair's new colours is one of two additional aircraft scheduled to enter service.  "We are excited to unveil our new livery to the public.  The aircraft will take its inaugural flight during the holiday season. We are very proud to showcase our new colours. As the only airline that operates as an ultra low-cost carrier in Canada;  we know our passengers will be delighted to fly with us as they continue to enjoy the lowest fares in the country," says Flair Airlines CEO, Jim Rogers.

We are so excited to officially announce our Livery reveal! pic.twitter.com/nKE4H2Hyv3

— FlairAirlines (@FlairAirlines) December 19, 2017

Flair intends to make significant announcements early in 2018 about its expansion into Canada's ULCC market.

❗This article was written for this site by a member of our team 🙋, please do share it with your friends via social media. You are also welcome to post it or republish elsewhere on the 🌎web on the condition that you credit the author and link back to our site. Thank you.

 ♻ We care about the environment, please think twice before you hit ‘print’  

Flair Airlines Removes Carry-on Fees

Flair Airlines, the airline that is reinventing domestic air travel in Canada, announced it will no longer charge passengers for carry-on luggage.  The removal of charges took effect 1st December 2017 for anyone booking their flights in December; Flair will remove the $30 carry-on baggage fee.

"We have listened very closely to the input from our passengers," said Chris Lapointe, Vice President Commercial Operations. "Removing the carry-on baggage fee is something that we are excited to do as an airline.  We know how important this is to the travelling public in Canada."

Flair Airlines allows for one small personal item, and now one carry-on bag per person free of charge.  Standard luggage sizes apply.  Passengers will be required to pay for other checked bags.  "We want our passengers to have a positive experience with us, and if that requires us removing this fee, then we are delighted to respond," stated Lapointe.