Tag: Canada

Air Canada and United Expand Travel Connections Between Canada And The U.S.
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Air Canada and United Airlines recently announced that they would be working together to expand their alliance and bring more benefits to their customers. Both companies agreed on providing more flight options and optimizing travel schedules for passengers in the transborder market.

The airlines will connect 38 codeshare destinations in the United States and eight in Canada, extending both carrier’s networks. The new connections will be accessible to customers through the carriers’ websites and apps.

Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President of Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada, said: “United is a world-class airline and we are pleased to significantly expand our well-established partnership to further enhance the customer journey between Canada and the U.S. by offering more choice, greater convenience, and an improved airport experience.”

And added: “This agreement marks a new phase in our evolving relationship that will speed the recovery from the pandemic and strengthen both carriers. It will also enable us to optimize our hubs and schedules and to broaden our global network connectivity to maintain our leadership in the market.”

According to the information shared in the press release, this alliance expansion will offer more benefits for frequent travelers memberships of both companies’ programs, Aeroplan and MileagePlus, and also regular customers.

It’s great news for American and Canadian travelers. Besides offering a greater flight variety, both carriers commit to improving services. United Airlines has recently ranked well among the best in-flight economy experience in the US, this extended alliance might improve both carriers’ services.

Benefits For Travelers

Now that the travel industry has been recovering and interest in travel has peaked across the globe, Air Canada and United Airlines expect to build stronger networks and provide more attractive services for travelers.

Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances at United, said: “As international travel continues to recover, this expanded partnership will provide an enhanced experience for all transborder travel.”

These are a few of the main benefits of the alliance expansion mentioned by the carriers in the announcement:
- Travelers searching for flights between the United States and Canada will find more options, more access to each airline’s seat inventory, and more convenient schedules.
- Members of the frequent flyer loyalty programs —Aeroplan and MileagePlus— will have more accrual and redemption options and also improved services.
- The airlines expect that this year travelers will be able to connect to 46 transborder codeshare destinations with more than 400 daily frequencies.
The carriers have also agreed to work together to improve customer policies and advance their sustainability objectives.

In 2019 the transborder market between the United States and Canada was the second largest international passenger air transportation market—measured by seats— across the globe.

The carrier expects the market to return to pre-pandemic levels, but it is yet to be seen. It might take a little longer than other destinations considering that Canada brought back random COVID-19 testing at airports just a few days ago and foreigners are still required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and download the ArriveCan app to enter Canadian territory.

More Alliances

United Airlines and Air Canada are both members of Star Alliance and the Lufthansa Group and have been expanding their networks, especially now that travelers are eager to explore the world.

A few months ago, Air Canada announced a new partnership with the Mexican airline Aeromar to provide more travel opportunities for Canadian and Mexican travelers. Mexico is one of Canadian travelers’ favorite vacation destination.

United Airlines, on the other hand, has also invested in transatlantic expansions. The carrier restored an abandoned connection —paused for six years— and recently announced that will be resuming routes to Norway.

And, in September, travelers will be able to take a non-stop flight from New York -Newark—where United opened its largest and most incredible club lounge— to Norway.

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July 25, 2022
Air Canada Announces They Are Cancelling Over 9000 Flights This Summer

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Prospective travelers have been dealt a further blow this week with the news that Air Canada is now canceling over 9000 flights this summer, leaving the travel plans of thousands of people in jeopardy. The announcement was made just yesterday, with the Air Canada’s CEO sending an email to customers of the airline, and is set to leave those with travel plans this summer scrambling to find out if their flight is affected and what they can do if it is.

What was once looking like a positive summer full of travel after years of pandemic related disruptions now looks as though it will descend into chaos, with Air Canada the latest of several airlines to announce sweeping cuts to their planned summer flight schedules. Here’s a look at Air Canada’s decision to trim more than 9000 flights this summer, including why it is happening, which type of flights are set to be affected and where customers stand with regards to compensation.

Air Canada Announces Cancellations – Information For Travelers

The sheer number of cancellations affecting various different airlines across North America has left the so-called record breaking summer of travel at risk of even taking off. Due to myriad factors, airlines on both sides of the US-Canada border have been forced to delay or cancel thousands of their flights, as they struggle to match the increasing demand for flights from the travel-starved populace – and Air Canada is the latest to disappoint.

Air Canada is set to substantially lower its overall flight offerings this summer. At present, the Canadian flag-carrying airline is currently operating around 1,000 flights per day. However, it has plans to reduce this figure by an average of 154 flights per day throughout the months of July and August – a move that will reduce their overall number of flights offered this summer by more than 9,000, a significant reduction.

The cancellations come as there is a major strain on the aviation industry, brought about by the sheer number of travelers flying at present. The unprescented number of travelers choosing to fly this summer has left the airline unable to provide customers with their normal standards of care, leading them to make the decision to cut flights to preserve a higher level of service. In his letter to customers, Air Canada’s President and CEO Michael Rousseau wrote that whilst many of these issues were anticipated and planned for, the airline must still cut thousands of flights in order to maintain its operational stability and reduce passenger numbers to levels that the airline can accommodate.

Some flights are set to be more affected by the cancellations than others. Amongst the routes that are the most affected are flights to and from Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, and in particular flights that take part during the evening and late at night on Air Canada’s smaller aircraft. Some routes are to be cut altogether, such as the routes between Montreal and Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Kelowna, and Toronto and Fort McMurray.

It’s not all bad news for travelers. It’s expected that the latest cuts will only affect domestic flights, with no reductions planned for the airline’s current international flight offerings. Air Canada has slowly been rebuilding its international flight network, and last week it became the first airline to offer a non-stop flight to Thailand in ten years when it announced flights between Vancouver and Bangkok starting in December.

Thankfully for travelers, those who are scheduled to be on flights that are canceled by Air Canada will get their money back. According to the airline’s policies, travelers will be either rebooked on to another flight or offered the chance to receive a full refund. On top of this, the Canadian government announced last week that it would ensure travelers would receive reimbursements for all canceled flights, regardless of the reason for the cancellation – making sure that travelers are well protected as we head into an uncertain and chaotic travel period.

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June 30, 2022
Amtrak Resumes Services To Canada For The First Time Since 2020

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The American railroad company, Amtrak, announced on Monday that it will be resuming its international train services with routes to Canada, in alliance with the Canadian corporation VIA Rail Canada. The company had stopped these services since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.

Amtrak is now offering services with the Maple Leaf trains between New York City and Toronto. They will also resume services to Montreal and Vancouver soon but will announce details at a later time.

Chief Commercial Officer Roger Harris, Amtrak’s Executive Vice President, Marketing and Revenue, said: “Amtrak is delighted to welcome passengers back on board the Maple Leaf, connecting New York City and upstate New York with Toronto and Ontario.”

And added: “On board the Maple Leaf, customers can experience some of the best views in the country through the beautiful Hudson River Valley, New York’s wine country, and the incredible gorges of the Finger Lakes region, before crossing the US/Canadian border near the dramatic spectacle of Niagara Falls.”

Travelers now have more train travel options. A few weeks ago, Amtrak also announced new routes from New York, with wonderful city escapes for tourists and new yorkers.

About Amtrak Services And Tickets To Canada

For the first time since 2020, the first northbound Maple Leaf train departed from New York at 7:16 am this Monday 27 and arrived in Toronto at 7:43 pm. From the other side, the first southbound Maple Leaf train departed from Canada’s Toronto Union Station (TWO) at 8:20 am and arrived at New York Penn Station (NYP) in the night, at 9:55 p.m.

Travelers can buy the tickets at Amtrak’s website, app, desk, and kiosks, or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL. Canadian travelers can also buy tickets at ViaRail.ca or by calling 1-888-VIA-RAIL.

The new route will take travelers through beautiful landscapes with large and comfortable seats and valuable amenities. All the international trains include free Wi-Fi, the freedom to use the phone at all times —there is no “airplane mode” limitation—, a cafe car, Business Class seats, and the possibility to travel with small pets.

It is an exciting opportunity, especially for new yorkers and Canadians who want to explore new destinations. Marie Therese Dominguez, New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner, said: “The return of this vital rail connection is welcome news not just for passengers who love to travel, but for countless businesses across New York State and Canada who make it possible for visitors to experience the best of what every locality has to offer.”

Michael Acosta, VIA Rail’s Senior Director, Commercial Affairs, also added: “After two years of pandemic, people are eager to travel again this summer, and the Maple Leaf experience allows passengers on both sides of the border to book a beautiful vacation and travel beyond Toronto on VIA Rail trains that can connect them right across Canada.”

What Travelers Must Know About Entry Requirements

Train travel is a great alternative for those who prefer to avoid planes or more eco-friendly options. This new route will allow Canadians and Americans to connect more and enjoy a restored service, especially during summer. However, travelers must stay up to day with their documentation and comply with all entry requirements from both nations.

At the moment, to enter the US, non-US citizens must be fully vaccinated with approved COVID-19 vaccines. To enter Canada, non-canadians must also be fully vaccinated, wear masks —in Canadian stations and on the train while traveling through Canada— and use the ArriveCAN app within 72 hours prior to arrival.

More details about travel and entry requirements are provided by Amtrak on its Crossing the US-Canadian Border page. Travelers should also revise Canada’s official travel site and the US Department’s Travel Advisories and Information site. Staying up to date with COVID-19 entry requirements is crucial since these are constantly changing.

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June 30, 2022
Unvaccinated Canadians Can Now Travel Within And Out Of Canada

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It’s been a good past couple of days for Canadians who are eager to travel this summer. Last week the country suspended random COVID testing at all its airports for the rest of June to ease the long waiting times that travelers have been facing.

Now there is even more good news for travelers in Canada.

Unvaccinated Canadians will no longer face domestic vaccine mandates

The federal government will suspend its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, Ottawa announced on Tuesday, allowing unvaccinated Canadians to travel domestically by air and train, and internationally by air as of June 20.

It will also lift its vaccine mandate for federal employees, including the RCMP and federal regulated transportation sector workers.

Ottawa first introduced a vaccine mandate on Oct. 30 last year. The mandate required that all passengers over the age of 12 departing from a Canadian airport be fully vaccinated in order to travel.

It also applied to rail passengers on Via Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains, as well as marine passengers on non-essential vessels such as cruise ships.

Cruise ships will have to wait a little longer.

While air and rail travelers will no longer need to be vaccinated in order to travel, the mandate will still remain in place for cruise ship passengers and employees. The mask requirement for planes and trains will also remain in place.

Canada’s airports have been facing catastrophic wait times.

If you’ve been to an airport in Canada recently, there’s a good chance you’ve dealt with more than your average level of chaos. Some of the issues include hours-long security lineups, delayed or cancelled flights, passengers stuck on the tarmac and major congestion at border security.

Canada’s outdated rules are causing unacceptable delays at the country’s major airports, keeping international visitors away and infuriating domestic travelers.

Pressure for Ottawa to drop its vaccine mandates has been ramping up in recent weeks, as delays continue to plague the country’s major airports, particularly at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.

Travel industry groups have blamed federal public health measures and mandates for slowdowns at airport customs that have contributed to long waits for passengers and forced flight delays and cancellations and have put increasing pressure on the government to do away with them.

The Covid situation in Canada right now.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has reported a steadily declining number of COVID-19 cases, though provinces are no longer providing COVID-19 molecular tests for the general public and federal reporting has become less regimented.

While more than 89 per cent of Canadians over the age of 12 have at least two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, only about 55 per cent of them have received a booster shot.

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June 15, 2022
Canada Suspends Random Covid Testing On Arrival To Reduce Travel Disruption

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After the United States dropped the testing requirement for vaccinated travelers, including returning American citizens, Canada has now decided to suspend random tests on arrival temporarily as airports struggle with rising travel demand. Starting June 11, only unvaccinated passengers will be subject to testing landing in Canada.

The move comes as numerous airports around the globe battle staffing constraints and an overwhelming demand. Although this is surely a step in the right direction, this is by no means a definitive decision. The Canadian Government has reiterated the relaxation has a validity date and, soon enough, random testing will be reinstated:

Vaccinated Travelers Can Avoid Random Tests Until June 30

From June 11 to June 30, incoming vaccinated travelers will no longer be selected for random testing landing at one of Canada’s main points of entry. Even though the country has scrapped pre-departure testing for the vaccinated a while ago, it had continued to enforce the highly criticized post-arrival random testing measure.

This means that, over the next three weeks, only the unvaccinated will still be required by law to undergo testing, if selected by health authorities, when landing in Canada. On July 1, the requirement for the vaccinated to undergo random testing will return, albeit with significant changes: as stated by the Government, all testing will be moved ‘off-site’.

In other words, travelers will not be required to provide a sample at the airport itself, being moved instead to a different location in a bid to ease the burden placed on understaffed airports. As of now, the Canadian Government has not yet specified how the changes will be effected, or exactly what ‘off-site’ means.

From our understanding, ‘lucky’ travelers could now be conducted to testing facilities outside the airport’s arrival halls, seeing that testing sites that have been set up in their vicinity will be dismantled in the upcoming weeks. This is yet to be confirmed by Canada, and we will keep our readers updated once more information is provided.

Airports In Canada Call For Measure To Be Fully Scrapped

For weeks, airports in Canada have urged the Government to further ease its strict Covid screening at the country’s international hubs as unavoidable cancellations are already set to have a devastating effect on passengers this summer. Enforcing random testing on-arrival would only worsen disruption and prompt further delays.

The Greater Toronto Airport authority (GTAA) has been calling for the program to be suspended for weeks, acknowledging that, in its current state, the hub cannot manage both increasing passenger numbers and enforce the country’s Covid policies. As GTAA states, arrival figures will increase by ‘some 50 per cent’ during summer.

In a recent interview with CBC, Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault revealed the Government decided to grant the three-week pause in order to help reduce disruption at airports. According to him, the suspension will give the government enough time to set up off-site testing booths away from the increasingly busy arrival halls:

‘It’s going to make sure that the airports flow more quickly’, added Boissonault. He acknowledged that airports are not designed to house mini health care centers and that the revised policy will help staff and ease congestion. Although the measure will be reintroduced shortly, for the Minister, ‘this is a good step in the right direction’.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra also conceded the Canadian Government ‘recognizes the impact that significant wait times at some Canadian airports are having on travelers’. Alghabra confirmed authorities will continue working with airports, airlines, and other key sectors of the travel industry to find long-term solutions.

Although the suspension will help airports in Canada, and the subsequent translocation of testing centers ensure airport staff can carry out their work uninterrupted, frustration among passengers may continue to grow, as random testing is set to return next month. As the Government has already confirmed, the vaccinated will not continue being exempt from July 1.

Government Believes Policy Is Necessary Despite Experts’ Recommendations

Addressing the public’s animosity towards the measure and defending the measure, Marie-France Proulx, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry, has asserted that randomized testing is ‘the only way’ to detect new variants being imported into Canada, especially now that provinces and territories are no longer doing massive testing.

Randomized testing is not the only concern shared by those traveling to Canada in the post-Covid world. Recently, the Government has come under fire for proposing a new law enabling border officers to search the phones of those arriving in Canada, further alienating restriction-wary travelers that are favoring countries with no strict policies in place.

Within the Parliament, Opposition Conservatives have pressed the Trudeau Administration to lift all remaining Covid restrictions for those visiting Canada, including the vaccination requirement and randomized testing. The latter’s three-week pause may be seen as a positive development, but it is still a small victory for opponents.

As health experts themselves call for randomized testing to be scrapped for good, we may see the Canadian Government reconsidering its tough stance. Many see the policy as ‘unnecessary’ now that there is ‘widespread natural and vaccine-induced immunity’, and one that only increases bureaucracy at airports.

In sum, if you’re vaccinated, you have until June 30 to enter Canada without fear of being picked out for testing.

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June 13, 2022
Canada Issues New Travel Advisory Due To Monkeypox
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As monkeypox spreads globally, the Canadian government has issued a travel advisory for Canadians traveling overseas. The new Level 2 travel advisory suggests Canadians should practice enhanced health precautions following the emergence of monkeypox.

The Canadian government released the travel advisory on June 7, 2022.

The Full Details Of The Level 2 Travel Advisory

According to the Canadian government, a Level 2 travel health notice “indicates an increased risk to travellers or certain groups of travellers (for example, pregnant women, campers, people visiting friends and relatives) and reminds them to practise enhanced health precautions.”

The Canadian government suggests all Canadians should follow these precautions:
- Use personal protective equipment—such as masks—to minimize the spread of monkeypox
- Delaying all travel until the risk is lower
- Avoiding higher-risk activities
- Taking recommended vaccinations for some groups
- Washing hands at all times, especially after being in close contact with some people
- Being careful if you’re attending mass gatherings or parties
- Being aware of any symptoms, such as a new rash
The Canadian government has issued the advisory if you’re traveling to these destinations:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bolivia
- The Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Malta
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
The Canadian government says: “During your travel, you may be subject to procedures at your destination put in place to limit the spread of monkeypox, such as isolation, should you become infected. You may have limited access to timely and appropriate health care should you become ill, and may experience delays in returning home.”

“PHAC is working closely with international, provincial, and territorial health partners to gather information on this evolving issue. Further investigations are underway to determine the likely source of infection and to limit further onward spread.”

The Canadian government says you should see a healthcare professional if you develop symptoms when you’re traveling. In addition, if you have monkeypox symptoms during the flight: “tell the flight attendant before you land or the border services officer as you enter the country.”

What Is Monkeypox?

The Canadian government states: “Monkeypox is a disease that is caused by a virus. It is regularly found in parts of Central and West Africa, where it has been re-emerging in recent years”

They suggest monkeypox can spread in three ways:
- From animals to humans
- From person to person
- Through direct contact with contaminated objects
In addition, monkeypox can spread from person to person via close contact in the following ways:
- Scabs or skin lesions (which may resemble chickenpox)
- Body fluids or blood
- Mucosal surfaces (including eyes, mouth, throat, and rectum.)
- Contaminated clothing or linens
- Respiratory droplets (coughs and sneezes) may transmit the monkeypox virus, but scientists are still learning.
However, the Canadian government suggests that: “symptoms usually last between 14 and 28 days. Monkeypox is usually a mild, self-limited disease. In rare situations, people may become very sick and death may occur.”

They add: “Treatment for monkeypox is mainly supportive. Vaccines and medications for prevention and treatment are not commercially available at this time.”

Have Other Countries Issued Travel Advisories?

The Canadian government isn’t the first nation to introduce a travel advisory for monkeypox. The United States issued a travel advisory due to monkeypox almost two weeks ago.

The CDC advises Americans to avoid:
- Close contact with sick people, particularly those with skin or genital lesions.
- Touching any dead or live wild animals, such as rats, squirrels, monkeys, and apes.
- Handling all materials used by monkeypox-infected individuals as they could be contaminated.
We will keep you updated on how monkeypox may affect travelers going forward.

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June 9, 2022
Uber and Lyft Remove Mask Mandate In The United States and Canada

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Face coverings are now optional and drivers and passengers will decide whether or not they would like to ride without masks

The American ride-share companies Uber and Lyft announced the removal of the mask mandate for drivers and passengers this Tuesday. The decision has been taken after a federal judge ruled against the extension of the mandate enacted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Right after Biden’s administration recognized the federal judge’s decision, Uber and Lyft joined other US airlines that decided to drop the mask mandate.

According to the official information shared on Uber’s website, face coverings are now optional: “As of April 19, 2022, riders and drivers are not required to wear masks when using Uber.” However, the company also clarified: “The CDC still recommends wearing a mask if you have certain personal risk factors and/or high transmission levels in your area.”

Uber also encourages those who want to wear masks to do it, but also respects the decision of those who don’t. They also reminded drivers and travelers: “If you ever feel uncomfortable, you can always cancel the trip.”

Lyft shared a similar statement according to the information published on CNBC: “We know that everyone has different comfort levels, and anyone who wants to continue wearing a mask is encouraged to do so. As always, drivers or riders can decline to accept or cancel any ride they don’t wish to take.”

The automobile service company also explained on its website that not wearing face-covering will no longer be a reason to report a user or driver: “Wearing a mask during rides is now optional for everyone in the car. Health safety reasons, like not wearing a mask, will no longer appear as a cancellation option. And your riders won’t be able to report you for those reasons.” Uber, on the other hand, is still asking drivers to confirm if they are wearing face coverings.

The two tech companies had been requiring drivers and passengers to wear masks since the beginning of the pandemic. The news had a big impact across the United States, and people will have to go through an adjustment process while they adapt to the new measures.

Customer’s Reaction

Mixed reactions have emerged across social media channels and different websites. Some customers in favor of the mask mandate removal have expressed relief and happiness with emojis and expressions like “Let’s go!” and “Finally”. Other users aren’t happy.

Frederick Joseph, an author and worried Uber user, wrote a message to the company on Twitter: “Please add functionality to request drivers who are wearing masks. As a person who is immunocompromised, and constantly in a rush, it’s inefficient at best to continually cancel Ubers until a driver shows up willing to wear a mask.”

Many users are worried about their safety and the functionality of the app. A few drivers have said on social media that they will no longer work for Uber or Lyft because they find the new measure unsafe or irresponsible. Uber has recommended users who prefer to wear masks message the driver or passenger, prior to pick-up, to make sure they are willing to wear face coverings.

A few customers are already complaining on social media about the different opinions regarding the optional mask rule. Yellow Cabs in New York City will still require passengers and drivers to wear masks, despite Lyft and Uber’s recent change of policy; however, it seems that more companies are joining the optional mask decision.

Uber Canada Joins

Now, Uber Canada has also announced dropping the mask mandate, it will only remain mandatory in Quebec, starting on April 22. A spokesperson shared the information with the Canadian news outlet CTVNews and also explained: “As per Health Canada’s advice, we still strongly recommend wearing a mask depending on personal risk factors and infection rates in your area.”

Although Canada still has their mask mandate in place for airports, trains, and airplanes, Uber riders now have the option to mask or not.

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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April 21, 2022
10 New Flight Routes Announced This Week From The US And Canada
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Air travel is continuing to ramp up in 2022. From new sunny destinations to local favorites, here are some of the latest flight routes from the US and Canada just announced this past week.

Fort Lauderdale to Havana, Cuba

Dreaming of Havana after a two-year closure? Salsa nights and sunset mojitos might be closer than you think. Southwest recently announced that the airline will be ramping up daily flights between south Florida and Cuba’s iconic capital city, on top of a number of new round-trip flight services along the west coast and the islands of Hawaii.

Beginning May 4, 2022, Southwest will offer three daily round-trip flight services between Fort Lauderdale and Havana. Daily round-trip flights will launch between Tampa and Havana a few days later on May 7th.

Vancouver and Montreal to Dublin, Ireland

After a two-year hiatus, direct flights between the Canadian cities of Vancouver and Montreal and Dublin, Ireland are back starting in June.

The direct flight services will be on the national airline of Air Canada. Services between Montreal and Dublin will begin on June 2, with flights operating three times per week. Flights between the west coast city of Vancouver and Dublin are scheduled to launch from June 3 until September 30, with services four times per week. You can see more information and more details about the flight departure times here.

New York to 7 U.S. Destinations

30 miles north of New York City, you’ll find Westchester airport, the latest hub for Breeze airlines. From Westchester, passengers will be able to fly direct to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Savannah, Charleston, Jacksonville, and Norfolk.

These new routes add to the already impressive route system Breeze has in place, especially since the airline is only one year old.

New York City to Tobago

A new flight route is scheduled to launch between the Big Apple and the Caribbean island of Tobago this spring.

Beginning May 5, 2022, flight carrier Caribbean Airlines will offer weekly flight services on Thursdays between New York’s JFK International Airport and Tobago’s ANR Robinson International Airport.

According to local reports, this will be the first time in years that there will be direct flight services available between the continental United States and the island of Tobago.

Los Angeles to London

On Saturday, April 16, United Airlines finally resumed its popular flight route between Los Angeles’ LAX Airport and London’s Heathrow after more than a two-year break. Daily flights depart for London leaving LAX at 5:10 p.m. and flights from London to Los Angeles are scheduled at 4:15 p.m.

The resumption of this flight route is big news, as its one of the major connections between the US and Europe.

Toronto to Amsterdam

Canada’s sunny vacation airline Air Transat has relaunched its popular flight route between Toronto Pearson Airport and Amsterdam. Flights are currently scheduled to depart four times a week, as travel demand for Europe ramps up for the summer months.

The airline also recently announced that it will be adding a new flight route between Montreal and Amsterdam. This new route is scheduled for three times per week starting in May of this year until October.

Miami to Lima, Peru

Lima-based SKY Airline Peru, a subsidiary of Chile’s SKY Airline, just announced the launch of its sixth international flight route from Peru starting on June 7th.

Flight services between the two popular destinations of Lima and Miami are currently scheduled to depart five times per week, with services ramping up to daily flights beginning in August.
- Miami – Lima, departing Miami at 9:35 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
- Lima – Miami, departing Lima at 2:35 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Atlanta to Cape Town, South Africa

After over a year of negotiations, Delta Air Lines was finally given the go-ahead to begin flight services between its home city of Atlanta and South Africa.

The new flight service will depart from Atlanta to Cape Town, via Johannesburg. While there is no exact date set at this time, the airline plans to launch the new route in November 2022, with flights departing three times per week.

Sarasota to Austin, Texas

US-based budget airline Allegiant announced this week that it will be launching a new flight route this month between Sarasota, Florida and Austin, Texas.

Flights are scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 21, with twice-weekly services offered between the two cities. The new route will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays until at least the end of the year.

Toronto to Cartagena, Colombia

In another big announcement from Air Transat this week, the airline will be launching direct flights between Toronto and the Caribbean destination of Cartagena starting in December of this year.

Canadian travelers can enjoy flight deals for less than $600 round-trip between Toronto and Cartagena, making for an ideal sunny winter getaway.

Read More:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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April 21, 2022
What’s It Like Traveling To Canada Right Now
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Last Updated 5 hours ago

Since Canada simplified entry rules for tourists as of April 1^st, the nation looks to recover over two years of lost tourism, finally welcoming back visitors with fewer restrictions. As both the rules at the border and local mandates, such as mask-wearing, have been loosening – Canada expects to welcome more foreign arrivals this spring – especially American neighbors from the south.

This article will take a look at Canada’s most recent entry rules, what local restrictions are like in some of the most visited areas, and what foreign tourists can expect this spring.

Canada’s Updated (and easier!) Entry Requirements

Yes, foreign international tourists are welcome to enter Canada, but with a few rules in place.

As of April 1, 2022, the government of Canada removed the requirement for fully vaccinated arrivals to show proof of a negative pre-flight test, either a 1-day antigen or a 72-hour PCR test. Yes, all foreign arrivals will have to be vaccinated in order to enter Canada, only Canadian citizens or residents are permitted to return home unvaccinated.

Here is what tourists can expect when entering Canada this spring
- Download and fill out the ArriveCan app within 72 hours of arrival in Canada
- Upload proof of being fully vaccinated to the app
- Know there is a possibility of being randomly selected for a PCR test on arrival
Tourists should be aware of two things from the above list
1. if they are randomly selected for testing at land border crossings or in airports, they do not have to quarantine while waiting for results of their test.
2. The ArriveCan app will ask if the traveler has a 14-day quarantine plan, should their arrival test be positive.
What’s considered fully vaccinated? The definition of fully vaccinated in Canada means you’ve received the full course of your dose (2 for Pfizer, Moderna, etc, and 1 for J&J) at least 14 days before entering. At this time, Canada does not require a booster and does not have an expiry timeline on the first full course.

Canada’s Inter-Provincial Travel Rules

While there are no current restrictions on traveling from one province to another, foreign visitors might be surprised to learn that all passengers must show proof of vaccination to get on a plane, train, bus, or ferry, even domestically. Canada is one of the only countries in the world with such a mandate, and it’s been in place since October 2021 with no news of being removed.

Since all tourists must be fully vaccinated to enter Canada anyway, this rule won’t really hinder any domestic travel plans, but it’s good for visitors to be aware of the rule so they can show up prepared. Bring your proof of vaccination with you, and be ready to show it, in almost every situation of transportation.

Mask Rules Across Canada

Most provinces and municipalities have removed indoor mask mandates throughout the entire country.

Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Manitoba have all removed their indoor mask mandates. However, a rule to wear a mask on public transit, or in high-risk health care settings (like a retirement home for example) may still be in place.

Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut still have some sort of indoor mask mandate in place.

Foreign tourists should be aware that the official government site states all international tourists should wear a mask indoors, regardless of local mandate removals, for their first 14-days inside the country.

Vaccine Passports inside Canada

Throughout the second half of 2021 and into the start of 2022, many provinces within Canada were requiring patrons of cinemas, restaurants, shopping centers, and many other indoor spaces to show proof of vaccination to enter.

As of April 2022, almost all internal vaccine passport programs have been scrapped. Again, foreign tourists still have to be fully vaccinated to enter the country, but the removal of the checkpoints to enter stores and eateries makes for a much easier vacation.

Traveling to and from Canada

As of April 2022, there are now more flight routes in operation to and from Canada than the country has seen since 2019. Major Canadian airlines WestJet and Air Canada have very successfully reinstated popular international routes, and have even added new ones due to higher than expected demand. Other international airlines have also started increasing the number of flights to Canada, especially since the easier test-free entry rules recently came into place.

International tourists will not have an issue finding many flight paths to and from Canada.

Cruise ship travel just returned to Canada in April 2022, with the first ship docking in Victoria, BC on April 9th.

Occupancy Rates

Hotels in Canada, while just starting to recover, still have much lower occupancy rates than in 2019. Many cities are still ranging in a 20% to 45% lower occupancy rate in 2022 than in the same month period in 2019.

This is good news for tourists who want to see top tourist cities in Canada without the record number of crowds in pre-pandemic years.

Is Canada welcoming to foreign tourists right now?

Yes, international tourists are now being encouraged to visit Canada.

However, throughout 2020 and 2021, the majority of Canadians were very pro border rules, pro-vaccine passports, pro masks, and at times, quite anti-travel. Early on in the pandemic, travelers were widely perceived as being irresponsible and were not welcomed by many outside the tourism industry. Now with the government having officially removed most border and internal rules, the majority of Canadians are once again ready to accept foreign visitors and travel abroad themselves.

Tourism providers and tourism-based industries have been vocal with a pre-travel message over the past few years and have been advocating on the safe return of tourism to Canada is possible and very greatly needed. Not only those in the tourism industry, but also small business owners and entrepreneurs, are very keen to see a rebound in tourism from coast to coast.

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

New Airline Connecting Canada To The United States And Mexico

U.S. State Department Lowers Travel Advisory Risk For Canada

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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April 11, 2022