Air Canada has introduced
subscription-based flight passes in the U.S. for unlimited travel
between the U.S. and Canada.
Travel agents can
book the product, Flight Pass to Canada, at www.aircanada.com/agents while consumers can book the
product directly at AirCanada.com, according to Air Canada spokesman John
Reber.
The passes are
unavailable in the GDSs because "their technology does not provide
for the ability to distribute this product," Reber
added.
The product is
booked in a single transaction, but the airline draws the money in
fixed monthly payments that include the pass prices, airport fees,
charges and taxes.
The airline
introduced a similar product in Canada in October. Meanwhile in
July, Air Canada began offering a multi-user pass for corporations
that provides flight credits.
The new Flight
Pass to Canada is being offered for introductory rate through May 7
starting at $1,657 per month for unlimited travel for three- or
six-month periods.
The flight pass
comes with elite frequent flyer miles for purchasers who opt for
the pass at the Latitude fare level, starting at $2,630
monthly.
To implement the
product for U.S. customers, Air Canada said it created four zones:
the Canada Commuter (from four U.S. gateways: Boston, Chicago,
Newark and New York to four gateways in Canada: Hamilton (Ontario),
Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto); Eastern (extended Eastern
U.S.-Canada corridor); Western (extended Western U.S.-Canada
corridor); and North America (all 120 destinations that Air Canada
serves in the U.S. and Canada.)
To contact reporter Dennis Schaal, send e-mail to [email protected].