travel

Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra speaks at a news conference on proposed changes to air passenger rights, in Ottawa, on Monday, April 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Passenger rights overhaul draws criticism from both sides — airlines and advocates

Canada trying to close loopholes that allow airlines to avoid compensating people for cancellations

Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra speaks at a news conference on proposed changes to air passenger rights, in Ottawa, on Monday, April 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Air Transat aircraft are seen on the tarmac at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport in Montreal, on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. Transat AT Inc. reported a $56.6-million loss in its latest quarter compared with a loss of $114.3 million a year earlier as its revenue more than tripled. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Transat CEO says travel demand nearly on par with 2019 despite higher prices

Company plans to offer roughly 90 per cent of the number of seats for sale as it did in 2019

Air Transat aircraft are seen on the tarmac at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport in Montreal, on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. Transat AT Inc. reported a $56.6-million loss in its latest quarter compared with a loss of $114.3 million a year earlier as its revenue more than tripled. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
An Air Canada jet takes off from Trudeau Airport in Montreal, Thursday, June 30, 2022. Passenger numbers are finally approaching pre-pandemic levels after Canadians emerged blinking from COVID-19 confinement last year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

With airfares rising, here’s how to find a travel deal this year

Competition creating good value on Canadian domestic flights

An Air Canada jet takes off from Trudeau Airport in Montreal, Thursday, June 30, 2022. Passenger numbers are finally approaching pre-pandemic levels after Canadians emerged blinking from COVID-19 confinement last year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
This image provided by Simik Ghookasian shows passengers and crew members restraining a man who according to federal authorities tried to open an airliner’s emergency door and tried to stab a flight attendant on a weekend flight from Los Angeles to Boston on Sunday, March 5, 2023. Simik Ghookasian, a passenger, said in a telephone interview that he was seated several rows behind the suspect, identified by federal authorities as Francisco Severo Torres, when he heard a commotion. (Simik Ghookasian via AP)

Passengers restrain man who tried to stab attendant on US flight

Suspect armed with handle of a metal spoon with the bowl portion broken off

This image provided by Simik Ghookasian shows passengers and crew members restraining a man who according to federal authorities tried to open an airliner’s emergency door and tried to stab a flight attendant on a weekend flight from Los Angeles to Boston on Sunday, March 5, 2023. Simik Ghookasian, a passenger, said in a telephone interview that he was seated several rows behind the suspect, identified by federal authorities as Francisco Severo Torres, when he heard a commotion. (Simik Ghookasian via AP)
This image released by Apple TV+ shows actor Eugene Levy, left, in a scene from his new travel series “The Reluctant Traveler,” premiering Feb. 24. (Apple TV+ via AP)

Eugene Levy, very gingerly, explores world for travel show

Canadian comedian says he’s ‘more Great Indoors type of guy’ as he launches new show

This image released by Apple TV+ shows actor Eugene Levy, left, in a scene from his new travel series “The Reluctant Traveler,” premiering Feb. 24. (Apple TV+ via AP)
Air Canada announced Tuesday (Feb. 21) it is piloting new facial recognition technology at the Vancouver International Airport. (Air Canada handout)

Air Canada piloting facial recognition tech at Vancouver International Airport

Flyers headed to Winnipeg can have machine verify their identity when boarding

Air Canada announced Tuesday (Feb. 21) it is piloting new facial recognition technology at the Vancouver International Airport. (Air Canada handout)
Coquihalla Highway, looking southbound at Zopkos Rest Area, Feb. 20, 2022. (Photo/DriveBC)

Winter storm warning issued for B.C.’s Coquihalla and Highway 3

Up to 35 centimetres of snow expected to fall on both routes

Coquihalla Highway, looking southbound at Zopkos Rest Area, Feb. 20, 2022. (Photo/DriveBC)
Revelers participate in the “Gigantes da Lira” street block party in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. Merrymakers are taking to the streets for the open-air block parties, leading up to Carnival’s official Feb. 17th opening. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Brazil’s Carnival finally reborn in full form after pandemic

Officials expect 46 million people to join the festivities that officially began Friday

Revelers participate in the “Gigantes da Lira” street block party in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. Merrymakers are taking to the streets for the open-air block parties, leading up to Carnival’s official Feb. 17th opening. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Experts say the outlook for the loonie in 2023 largely depends on commodity prices, how the U.S. dollar fares, and whether central banks are successful in avoiding a major recession. Falling Canadian dollar coins or loonies are pictured in North Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, May 29, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Canadian dollar’s outlook for 2023 uncertain as interest rate hikes wane: experts

Loonie recently rose to its highest level in more than two months against the U.S. dollar

Experts say the outlook for the loonie in 2023 largely depends on commodity prices, how the U.S. dollar fares, and whether central banks are successful in avoiding a major recession. Falling Canadian dollar coins or loonies are pictured in North Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, May 29, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Passengers walk past Air Canada and WestJet planes at Calgary International Airport in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

WestJet temporarily suspends service from 3 Canadian cities to Europe

WestJet says it has temporarily suspended transatlantic service between three Canadian cities…

Passengers walk past Air Canada and WestJet planes at Calgary International Airport in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Hidden Lake in Banff National Park is seen on Friday, Sept 1, 2022. Instead of hopping on a plane to travel, Michael Downie opts for the train. “You have your bedroom, you get three meals a day, and you just look out the window and watch the country go by. You get to experience all of it,” said Downie.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol

Looking to travel this spring? Here are some cost-saving tips

Consider trains, collect points and proactively shop and plan for your vacation

Hidden Lake in Banff National Park is seen on Friday, Sept 1, 2022. Instead of hopping on a plane to travel, Michael Downie opts for the train. “You have your bedroom, you get three meals a day, and you just look out the window and watch the country go by. You get to experience all of it,” said Downie.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol
FILE - A traveler pulls their luggage between terminals at Logan International Airport, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Boston. Airline and hotel elite status extensions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are expiring this year, and the companies are raising the requirements to earn status. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Airline, hotel elite status: Harder to get (or keep) in 2023

Tsunami of downgrades set to wipe out some travelers’ benefits

FILE - A traveler pulls their luggage between terminals at Logan International Airport, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Boston. Airline and hotel elite status extensions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are expiring this year, and the companies are raising the requirements to earn status. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
The Canadian border crossing is seen in Lacolle, Que. on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Border agencies in Canada, U.S. detail how new Nexus trusted-traveller plan will work

Change to take effect in the spring could involve U.S. interviews in certain Canadian airports

The Canadian border crossing is seen in Lacolle, Que. on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
A Canadian passport sits on a suitcase in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. Social Development Minister Karina Gould says Service Canada has “virtually eliminated” the backlog of thousands of passport applications. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada’s passport application backlog now ‘virtually eliminated,’ minister says

Pandemic caused a nearly two-year lull in passport applications

A Canadian passport sits on a suitcase in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. Social Development Minister Karina Gould says Service Canada has “virtually eliminated” the backlog of thousands of passport applications. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, arrive at the Hamilton Convention Centre, in Hamilton, Ont., ahead of the Liberal Cabinet retreat, on Monday, January 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

Passport backlog update expected as federal cabinet retreat enters second day

Offices unable to deal with passport renewal applications as COVID-19 restrictions eased last year

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, arrive at the Hamilton Convention Centre, in Hamilton, Ont., ahead of the Liberal Cabinet retreat, on Monday, January 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked Canada’s top public servant to look into the government’s procurement process over what he called a seemingly “illogical and inefficient” contract to develop the ArriveCan app. A person holds a smartphone set to the opening screen of the app in a photo illustration made in Toronto on June 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini

Subcontracting ArriveCan development ‘seems highly illogical and inefficient:’ PM

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked Canada’s top public servant to look…

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked Canada’s top public servant to look into the government’s procurement process over what he called a seemingly “illogical and inefficient” contract to develop the ArriveCan app. A person holds a smartphone set to the opening screen of the app in a photo illustration made in Toronto on June 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini
Guests are are shown in one of the many pools at the Grand Wailea Resort, Feb. 6, 2006 in Wailea, Maui, Hawaii. Resort fees that aren’t advertised as part of the room rate of a hotel stay can surprise many travelers when they see the final price. Some hotels say the separate fees help cover the costs of valuable amenities like classes or equipment rentals. Those fees may even encourage guests to use these amenities. But the government says resort fees are a play for profit because they reduce the commissions resorts must pay travel agents based on nightly rates and resorts aren’t being transparent enough about the added fees when travelers are trying to book. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia, file)

As resort fees start to add up, are they ever worth it?

A look at the pros and cons of this increasingly common practice

Guests are are shown in one of the many pools at the Grand Wailea Resort, Feb. 6, 2006 in Wailea, Maui, Hawaii. Resort fees that aren’t advertised as part of the room rate of a hotel stay can surprise many travelers when they see the final price. Some hotels say the separate fees help cover the costs of valuable amenities like classes or equipment rentals. Those fees may even encourage guests to use these amenities. But the government says resort fees are a play for profit because they reduce the commissions resorts must pay travel agents based on nightly rates and resorts aren’t being transparent enough about the added fees when travelers are trying to book. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia, file)
An Air Canada aircraft taxis at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Airlines top list of who to blame for 2022 holiday travel chaos across Canada, survey says

More Canadians blame weather and airlines rather than the federal government for December’s flight cancellations

An Air Canada aircraft taxis at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)
Wild Blue Restaurant and Bar. Photo supplied

The culinary kingdom of Whistler

Glacier-level eats from steak and seafood to sushi and Thai

  • Jan 11, 2023
Wild Blue Restaurant and Bar. Photo supplied
A young boy who arrived on a Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong wears a face mask and face shield at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Hopes high in B.C. as China lifts border rules, but tourism recovery may take months

Chinese travellers were the second biggest international market for B.C. in 2019

A young boy who arrived on a Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong wears a face mask and face shield at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck