Airlines

Spirit Airlines Pilots Approve Collective Bargaining Agreement

Spirit Airlines announced that its Pilots, who are members of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), have ratified an amended collective bargaining agreement. This contract will provide a significant pay increase and other enhanced benefits for Spirit’s Pilots.

“We appreciate the dedication of the ALPA Negotiating Committee, Master Executive Council (MEC) and the Spirit Airlines Negotiating Team for their hard work to reach this agreement,” said John Bendoraitis, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Spirit Airlines. “We truly value our incredible Pilots, and we’re proud to recognize their contributions, passion and professionalism as they keep us flying every day.”

Spirit Airlines and CAE Launch New Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway Program for Aspiring Commercial Pilots(Opens in a new browser tab)

Out of the 2,326 eligible pilots who voted, 69 percent voted in favor of the new collective bargaining agreement. The two-year deal represents an economic gain of $463 million or 27 percent over the next two years, with zero concessions.

“This TA not only offers the financial gains our pilots need today, but also creates a stronger bargaining position for Spirit Airlines pilots at our next step, either in the merger process with JetBlue or in comprehensive negotiations with Spirit Airlines as a stand-alone carrier,” said Spirit’s Master Executive Council chair Capt. Ryan Muller.

The agreement is effective retroactively to Jan. 1, 2023. If the JetBlue–Spirit merger does not gain regulatory approval or is otherwise abandoned, Spirit pilots will immediately reenter Section 6 negotiations with Spirit Airlines management.

Airlines

Qatar Airways Adds Direct Toronto-Amritsar Flights with Stopover in Doha

Qatar Airways has made travel easier for passengers by announcing a new three-weekly non-stop service between Toronto, Canada, and Doha, Qatar, starting on December 11, 2024.

This new route provides seamless connectivity for travelers heading to Amritsar, offering a convenient alternative for the Punjabi diaspora in Toronto who wish to avoid the hassles of transiting through Delhi airport.

Boeing Faces New Setbacks as 777X Delays Extend and scraps B767-300F

In a joint press release, Anantdeep Singh Dhillon, FlyAmritsar Initiative North America Convener, and Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener, highlighted that this new route addresses the long-standing demand for better travel options to Punjab.

With this service, Amritsar will now have ten weekly flights to Canada via Doha, making the journey simpler and more comfortable for travelers who previously had to deal with long road trips, multiple layovers, and extended check-ins.

Flight Schedule and Connectivity

The qatar air line from Amritsar will depart at 4:10 a.m. (local time) and arrive in Doha at 6:05 a.m. (local time). After a layover of 3 hours and 45 minutes, passengers will board the qatar airways flight from Doha to Toronto at 9:50 a.m. (local time) on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, landing in Toronto the same day at 3:55 p.m. (local time).

China Airlines eyes new aircraft order for 777X and A350-1000

On the return journey, the qatar airlines will depart from Toronto at 8:00 p.m. (local time) and arrive in Doha at 4:30 p.m. (local time) the following day. From there, passengers will catch the connecting flight to Amritsar at 8:40 p.m. (local time), reaching their destination by 2:40 a.m. (local time). The total travel time qatar seatmap for the journey is approximately 20 hours and 10 minutes.

This new route is a significant relief for travelers who have often faced the challenges of long road journeys to Delhi, lengthy layovers, and multiple check-ins. By streamlining the travel process, qatar Airways ensures a smoother and faster journey, enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers traveling between Canada and Punjab.