Newsletter

AC Unveils Upgraded A321 With New Cabin

Air Canada has taken flight with its first redesigned Airbus A321 aircraft.  The new interior design features improvements to the cabin, WiFi, and exterior cameras connected to the plane's seatback entertainment system.

The A321 also features larger overhead bins, cabin lighting, and enhanced inflight entertainment. AC says the remaining 14 Airbus A321s and its eight A320s will be retrofitted starting this fall through to the end of 2025.

Highlights of new cabin features include:

Larger overhead bins – Latest Airbus Airspace XL design, the largest overhead bins in-class that will also be installed on the Airbus A321XLRs.

Upgraded seating – Presents a standardized product across the Air Canada narrowbody fleet in both Business Class and Economy. The new seats are designed to optimize passenger personal space, improve ergonomics, and provide more storage.

Bluetooth audio – Air Canada's newest IFE system will feature a Bluetooth-enabled seatback monitor. Customers will be able to connect their personal headsets while watching video on demand, live TV, or listening to podcasts or music. 

New exterior cameras – Customers can now watch their flight live thanks to a new first-in-class narrowbody tail and belly camera system providing high-resolution, real-time video of the aircraft exterior. 

Full colour LED mood lighting – New cabin lighting system will allow different ambiances to be set depending on time of day and phase of flight.

Fast and reliable Wi-Fi – Upgraded satellite-based connectivity.

Power options at all seats – All customers have access to power outlets, USB-A, and USB-C.

The new IFE system being installed on the Airbus A321 and A320 fleets will feature in-flight entertainment via screens at each seat, offering what Air Canada says is the most extensive content overall of any airline in the Americas. Customers will also enjoy live TV on their flights with this new cabin, featuring BNN, CTV, LCN, RDS, TSN1 and TSN2 available on all flights operated by this aircraft, including when flying over the U.S. 

Manulife Flight Assistance Insurance

Did you know when you buy most Manulife travel insurance policies through Uniglobe Travel, Manulife Flight Assistance is included.

Travel Delays?  Flight Assistance provides each insured person with a $40 or $140 real time flight disruption benefit.  What that means is if your flight is delayed by 3 hours, each registered ensured person will receive a $40 Interac e-transfer sent to them in real-time.   If the flight is delayed by 6+ hours or cancelled, the insureds will receive $140 per person.

How it works

After purchasing a participating Manulife plan through your Uniglobe Travel Advisor, go online to register your flights.  Manulife monitors the flight status in real time and if there are delays of at least 3 hours, you will get paid. This is over and above any other coverage your travel insurance plan may provide. 

Don't leave home without travel insurance!  Uniglobe and Manulife have you covered whether travelling on business or pleasure, ask us which plan suits your needs on your next trip.

Porter Airlines Launches New Service

Porter Airlines is launching daily service between Ottawa International Airport (YOW) and Calgary International Airport (YYC) with its new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, adding another cross-country connection for passengers to travel across Canada in style. 

The new service starts on February 14, 2024, marking the latest expansion into Western Canada from Ottawa, complementing existing flights to Vancouver and Edmonton and providing connections to destinations across Eastern Canada and the United States. 

This new service will enjoy the best of Porter Airlines’ famous hospitality with complimentary beer and wine, premium snacks, and fast, free WiFi for all passengers. Extra legroom seats, premium pre-mixed cocktails, and fresh, healthy meals are also available with the all-inclusive PorterReserve fares or can be purchased à la carte with PorterClassic fares.

The new route is operated by Porter’s state-of-the-art 132-seat, all-economy Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. The two-by-two configuration means no middle seats and a more comfortable experience for every passenger. 

Contact your Uniglobe Travel Advisor to find out what options you have with Porter Airlines for your next flight in Canada, they have many options!