News that has caught Chris' eye in the Travel World

New planes for Air Canada (13 December, 2017)

Air Canada has started flying a brand new aircraft type this week.  Flight AC137 from Toronto to Calgary was the first to be operated earlier this week using their new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.  It’s a 169-seat, fuel-efficient plane, featuring a next generation inflight entertainment system, spacious overhead storage bins and Boeing's ‘Sky Interior’. The aircraft is planned to become the mainstay of Air Canada’s North American, narrow-body fleet.

This plane is more fuel efficient and quieter than the older, narrow-body aircraft it will replace, which will benefit the environment of course. This increased efficiency should also enable Air Canada to be price competitive and gives the aircraft extended range, so they can launch new city pairings within North America, and routes to select international destinations, such as Iceland and Ireland, which will start next summer. Features of the new aircraft include:

• Improved seats and LED mood lighting
• Upgraded in-flight entertainment system which will enable passengers to stream video and audio to their own devices
• Faster Wi-Fi with the highest bandwidth available inflight, available in early 2018
• Improved overhead storage compartments offering greater space
• The latest quiet engine technology for up to 40% less noise
• And 20% less fuel per seat usage than previous aircraft types on similar routes

Air Canada has ordered 61 of the new 737 MAX to be delivered by 2021, with 18 due to enter the fleet by the end of 2018. 

Climbing Uluru (Ayers Rock) to cease in 2019 (6 December, 2017)

Twenty-seven years ago, in the Red Centre of Australia, I climbed the 350 metre high great red monolith of Ayers Rock. As I stood atop this strange prominence I felt a real spiritual high. These days, climbing Uluru, as it is now called, is discouraged as visitors to the Australian scenic landmark increasingly recognize that it is sacred to the indigenous people.

For anyone still wishing to climb the dramatic rock formation as part of their travel bucket list, there’s just two years left to do it before all climbing will be banned. A park board made up of a majority of the Anangu - the traditional owners of the land where Uluru stands - made this decision last month. The last day of climbing will be Oct. 26, 2019, a date chosen because it is the anniversary of the date in 1985 when the land and the formation called Ayers Rock were handed back to the Anangu people. After that, no one will stand atop, listening to the wind and feeling the awe that filled me nearly thirty years ago…

New Transport Canada rules re carry on luggage (30 November, 2017)

New Transport Canada rules take effect this week which will allow airline passengers to carry small knives on flights - but bath salts and baby powder are now banned from carry-on luggage under the updated policies. Small knife blades measuring six centimetres or less, which is about the width of a credit card, will now be allowed. But knife blades of any length are still banned on flights to the United States through pre-clearance facilities, and razor blades and box cutters of any size remain prohibited at screening checkpoints.

Likely more relevant to average travellers is the new ban in carry-on baggage on specified powders and granular material in containers that measure more than 350 millilitres – that’s about the size of a beer can. These include bath salts, baby powder, sand, cooking powder, sea salt and foot powder. Items that will still be allowed on checked-in luggage include baby formula, protein powder, tea and coffee. I guess there is good reason for these changes, but it’s tough for the average traveler to keep up with all the current prohibitions, so I suggest that you check with the Canadian Government website before you pack for your next trip. Go to www.catsa.gc.ca/whatcanIbring for the latest list.