MONTREAL — After months of being grounded due to the global pandemic, Transat is set to resume both its flights and tour activities starting July 23, 2020.
Its new flight schedule will include 22 destinations in Europe, the South, the United States and Canada until Oct. 31, 2020. During this period, South and Europe packages will be available, with Transat’s network of travel agencies gradually reopening starting June 15.
“After these long months that put the entire tourism industry to the test, we are very happy to announce today the resumption of our operations,” says Annick Guérard, Chief Operating Officer of Transat. “We will gradually operate a flight schedule with 23 international routes to Europe, the South and the United States, in addition to a domestic flight schedule between major Canadian cities.”
In preparation of the resumption of operations, Transat has launched its Traveller Care program, which includes new health measures throughout the traveller experience, from the travel agency to the airport to onboard and even in destination.
Here is an overview:
SUMMER 2020 FLIGHTS
From Montreal, Air Transat will gradually operate direct flights to: Athens, Greece; Bordeaux, France; Lisbon, Portugal; Lyon, France; Nantes, France; Marseille, France; Paris, France; and Toulouse, France.
Travellers from Toronto will benefit from direct flights to: Athens, Greece; Glasgow, Scotland; London, England; Manchester, England; Porto, Portugal; and Rome, Italy.
For those wishing to fly south, Air Transat will offer direct flights from both Montreal and Toronto to: Cayo Coco, Cuba; Cancun, Mexico; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. There will also be one direct flight a week to Port-au-Prince, Haiti from Montreal.
As for domestic routes, flights will operate between Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.
Depending on demand and the easing of regulatory restrictions, Air Transat may enhance its flight schedule for the months of September and October.
FLEXIBLE POLICIES
Customers who booked before March 4, 2020 can change their travel dates, destination or package at no charge up to seven days before departure. If they prefer to cancel their trips instead, they will be able to obtain a travel credit valid for 24 months.
Customers who booked on or after March 4 (the date Transat launched its ‘Book with peace of mind’ policy) can make the same changes at no charge up to 24 hours before departure. If they prefer to cancel their trips instead, they will be able to obtain a travel credit valid for 12 months.
Passengers whose fare types allow for modification or cancellation will be able to benefit from those conditions if they wish to change or cancel a flight scheduled to operate this summer.
TEMPORARY SUSPENSIONS
Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, Transat is extending the suspension of some flights, significantly reducing its capacity and completely cancelling certain routes for the summer 2020 season.
Until the end of the summer season, the airline is suspending the following:
EUROPE: Amsterdam, Basel-Mulhouse, Barcelona, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Faro, Lamezia, Madrid, Malaga, Nice, Prague, Venice and Zagreb.
THE SOUTH: Cayo Largo, Holguin, Montego Bay, Puerto Plata, Puerto Vallarta, Roatan, Santa Clara, Samana and Varadero
UNITED STATES: New Orleans, Orlando and San Diego
Air Transat is also suspending all its direct flights to Europe and the South from Vancouver and Quebec City.
Customers affected by these cancellations will receive a travel credit for the value of the amount received on file, which they can use within 24 months of their original return dates.
TRAVELLER CARE PROGRAM
Based on the recommendations of regulatory authorities, the following protocols will be implemented:
TRAVEL AGENCIES: Clients will be encouraged to make an appointment before presenting themselves at a branch; there will be a limit of one client per consultation; and Plexiglas partitions will be installed at travel agents’ desks.
AIRPORTS: To limit the risk of spreading the virus, certain measures will be implemented at the airport. Among these, passengers will be asked health-related questions, and counters and self-service kiosks will be regularly disinfected.
ONBOARD: Frequently touched cabin surfaces will be thoroughly cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectant before each flight, and the aircraft will be thoroughly cleaned with electrostatic disinfectant every 24 hours. Passengers will receive a complimentary Traveller Care kit (including a face covering, gloves, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes). Passengers and crew will be required to wear face coverings throughout the flight. Inflight service will be revised to reduce handling and contact. In addition, onboard all Air Transat aircraft, passengers can count on reliable HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, which eliminate 99.995% of small particles, such as bacteria and viruses, refreshing cabin air every three minutes.
AT DESTINATION: Reinforced preventive measures during transfers and excursions will be put in place for customers who have purchased a South or Europe package. In addition, Transat’s hotel partners will be implementing rigorous health and safety protocols so that travellers can enjoy their vacations with complete peace of mind. To provide support at destination, Transat representatives will be available at all times, by phone or via the Air Transat app.
For more information go to airtransat.com/traveller-care and airtransat.com/resumption-of-our-operations.
