Air Canada has announced that it plans to increase the number of daily services from London Heathrow to its Toronto hub from four to five non-stop flights each day, commencing 2 June 2012.

In addition to five flights per day from London Heathrow to Toronto Pearson International Airport, Air Canada will offer daily non-stop services from the UK to seven other major Canadian cities including Montréal, Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton, Halifax and St John’s.

“By offering an additional daily flight to our Toronto hub, UK customers not only have greater access to this exciting city, they can also take advantage of convenient connections to destinations across the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America,” said Robert Atkinson, General Manager – Sales UK, Ireland and Northern Europe.

“What’s more, travelling to the US has been made easier via Terminal 1 at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Passengers can now complete US Customs and Immigration formalities in Toronto, thereby saving time at their final destination in the US, where their arrival is treated as a domestic flight.”

KLM has been named business airline of the year at the 2012 Business Travel Awards.

The award, which was judged on a number of criteria, including corporate client retention, product innovation, CSR policies, specific corporate products, training and route network, saw Air France KLM beat of competition from British Airways, Flybe, Lufthansa and Qatar.

Air France KLM was also shortlisted for Best Long-Haul Airline and Best Short-Haul Airline.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a new price comparison tool to enable travellers to see a summary of optional charges levied by the top airlines in the UK.

The tool details information of costs of hold luggage, in flight meal charges, seat reservation and other optional airline fees.

Andrew Haines, Chief Executive of the CAA said: “The diversity of UK aviation offers excellent choice and value to UK consumers with airlines adopting various business models. To really benefit from that choice consumers want to know the full price picture. For some passengers and airlines the headline ticket price will be the most expensive part of the booking, whilst for others the impact of optional fees and charges can change their view of the best overall price.

“Our table allows passengers to easily compare the optional fees that airlines charge and it’s important to consider those charges alongside the ticket price and the extra charges that could be applied before making their booking.”

To view the fees and charges comparison table click here: http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/2200/Comparing_airline_charges_1st_Feb_2012_.pdf

The CAA plans to update the charges table on a quarterly basis.

From today, 1 February 2012, Air France and KLM have changed the latest check-in time for flights from Heathrow Airport to 40 minutes.

Any passengers arriving less than 40 minutes before their flight’s departure time will not be permitted to check-in.

Spectrum Interactive, the UK’s largest independent provider of Wi-Fi and related services, has announced it has partnered with Virgin Atlantic to deliver guest Wi-Fi provision at the airline’s flagship Clubhouse lounges at Heathrow Terminal 3 and Gatwick South.

The Spectrum solution focused on improving the passenger user-experience, and providing local dedicated technical, engineering and account management support, along with full customisation to reflect the Virgin Atlantic experience its passengers expect.

Graham Lampen, IT service manager at Virgin Atlantic said: “The timescale for getting our new Wi-Fi system up and running was very challenging, but Spectrum was able to design and install the service with minimum disruption and with zero downtime.” He added: “The feedback on the Spectrum service from visitors, staff and management has been very positive.”

“We are delighted to have been selected as Virgin Atlantic’s Wi-Fi provider;” said Daniel Gray, commercial director at Spectrum Interactive. “This agreement with such a prestigious and iconic travel brand further reinforces Spectrum’s position in the market and increases our footprint in airline lounges which has seen significant growth during the last two years, including installations into Virgin Holidays’ Vroom lounges.”

British Airways is set to resume its Heathrow to Tripoli flights.

The three-times-weekly Heathrow flights are scheduled to recommence on Tuesday, 1 May 2012.

British Airways’ chief executive Keith Williams said: “We are delighted to be returning to Libya. Our flights to Tripoli have provided a vital economic link for many years, and it is good news for everyone that we can now restart operations.”

Tragus, one of the largest casual dining groups in the UK, has announced that its iconic brasserie restaurant brand, Oriel, is to open airside in Heathrow’s Terminal 3 on Wednesday, 25 January 2012.

The new Oriel has been designed by Afroditi Krassa with a look and feel that is inspired by the grand brasseries of Europe. With seating for 115 guests, the art deco restaurant will offer a full range of breakfasts as well as a menu made famous by the original restaurant that operated in Sloane Square for over 20 years.|

The Oriel menu has been developed to reflect classic French dishes with a modern twist; alongside the all-day Petit Dejeuner, the menu includes Oeufs Royale, Omelette Arnold Bennett and Feuillete aux legumes. And for those with a sweet tooth, a delicious Pain perdu – French toast with strawberries, blueberries, bananas and maple syrup will make every pre-flight meal a treat.

Graham Turner, Chief Executive of Tragus said: “We are thrilled to be bringing this iconic brand to Terminal 3. Oriel will offer both business and leisure travellers a fresh all-day dining experience in the international departure lounge and complements the other brands and recent improvements which the terminal has put in place.”

Five times British rhythmic gymnastics champion Frankie Jones checked into Heathrow as a sculpture was unveiled in her honour.

21-year-old Frankie, who earned a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games 2010, was joined by the Great Britain Senior Rhythmic Gymnastics Group for the opening of a new collection of art to celebrate gymnastics at the official Host Airport of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Taking centre stage in Terminal 5 Departures, the three metre high carbon fibre resin sculpture of a rhythmic gymnast striking an elegant pose was unveiled by artist Eleanor Cardozo and includes a plaque stating that ‘this sculpture is dedicated to Francesca Jones, whose youth and talent embodies the Olympic spirit and the promise of a generation’.

The High Performance Art Exhibition is located before security in the Terminal 5 Expo Fine Art Gallery.

Iberia pilots are planning to take strike action next Monday 9 January and Wednesday 11 January 2012.

For more information on cancellations and disruptions click here.

This time last year flights were being affected by heavy snow, this year, it’s strong winds that are causing disruption to some flights, particularly in Scotland.

Anyone travelling today, especially from a Scottish airport, is advised to check the status of their flight with their airline.

Edinburgh Airport
Earlier today the access road to Edinburgh Airport was closed due to safety concerns, however, this has now reopened. Edinburgh Airport is currently closed due to severe winds and passengers are being advised not to travel to the airport without first contacting their airline. Airline contact numbers can be found here.

Glasgow Airport
Passengers are being advised to check with their airline before travelling to the airport. Airline contact numbers can be found here: