NEW FLAVOURS ON BOARD AIR TRANSAT
Air Transat will introduce new on-board meals for the winter 2019-2020 season, with the Gourmet menu by Chef Daniel Vézina available for pre-order by passengers flying in Economy Class as of Nov. 1.
These include two breakfast options, the grilled ham and cheese croissant and the buttermilk pancakes with blueberry purée, maple butter and bacon, as well as a main dish, Quebec grain-fed chicken hunter-style. As always, the Gourmet menu will feature two options for breakfast and six for lunch/dinner.
“Every season, travellers tell us how much they enjoy the quality and refinement of the meals in the Gourmet menu by Chef Daniel Vézina,” says Jean-François Lemay, president-general manager of Air Transat. “As the World’s Best Leisure Airline at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, Air Transat strives daily to offer passengers an experience that lives up to this title. The Gourmet menu is one of the fabulous perks of our Club Class, and it’s available for purchase in Economy Class by anyone looking to kick off their vacation in style or end it on a high note.”
“Nothing pleases me more than to showcase Quebec products in my creations,” explains Chef Vézina. “I’ve been featuring them at my restaurant Laurie Raphaël for 28 years, and I do the same with the recipes I create for my Gourmet menu served on board. This winter, passengers will get to taste homegrown products like the blueberries and maple syrup that come with the pancakes, as well as the delicious chicken from the Ferme des Voltigeurs in Drummondville.”
The Gourmet menu is offered for free in Club Class, where the main dishes are accompanied by the chef’s own strawberry shortcake or chocolate fondant. In Economy Class, the meals must be pre-ordered at least 72 hours before departure. The breakfast options are $18, while the lunch/dinner dishes are $25.
Dinner options include Quebec grain-fed chicken hunter-style; Turkey medallions in a truffle-flavoured cranberry sauce; Pulled beef shepherd’s pie; Spinach and artichoke lasagna with ricotta; Gnocchi with Bolognese sauce; Cheese and tomato orzo risotto.
Each lunch/dinner dish is served with a salad, dessert and a glass of wine.
SWOOP EXPANDS NETWORK OUT OF EDMONTON
Low-fare carrier Swoop continues to expand its North American service with the introduction of two new routes from Edmonton – the first to Cancún International Airport departing today, followed by an inaugural flight to Mazatlán International Airport (MZT) departing on Nov. 2.
The new routes expand Swoop’s Edmonton to Mexico service, having launched Puerto Vallarta service earlier this month.
“We are always striving to provide our travellers with more options for their getaways. Our unbundled model allows us to do that at a price that works for them,” said Steven Greenway, president, Swoop. “We are thrilled to make international travel more accessible for Canadians by offering three Mexican destinations for Albertans to enjoy.”
Swoop’s growing network now connects travellers in 17 domestic, transborder and international destinations.
Swoop’s direct flight to Cancún operates weekly on Thursdays.
Non-stop Edmonton to Mazatlán service started Nov. 2 with weekly service on Saturdays and adding a Tuesday service as of Dec. 17.
Flights are now available for booking through to April 25, 2020.
AIR NEW ZEALAND TO CONNECT AUCKLAND-NEW YORK
Air New Zealand’s inaugural flight from Auckland to Newark Liberty International Airport will take off on Oct. 29, 2020, becoming the first ever non-stop service between New Zealand and New York.
The new service deepens the alliance between Air New Zealand and United Airlines and follows Air New Zealand’s successful launch of non-stop flights to United’s hub in Chicago in November 2018.
Air New Zealand will fly the route three times weekly, year-round, under its flagship flight numbers NZ1 southbound and NZ2 northbound. The service will be operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft in its latest, premium-focused configuration.
The new service between Auckland and Newark will provide customers with convenient onward connections to more than 90 destinations across the US.
