Your guide to
Canadian Charter Flights

Canadian Charter Flights commonly known as CCF’s in the travel Industry are the main way to fly on a budget from Canada. In most cases these flights are operated by the main Tour companies in Canada and fly to Europe in the summer and down to the Caribbean and Mexico during the winter months.

Due to demand, flights are beginning to operate to both destination areas now the whole year round.

The world of travel is full of jargon, confusing terms that the everyday tourist just does not understand. Charter flights, for example, can be slotted into this category.

Scheduled flights are flights that operate on a regular basis between two cities, probably on a daily basis and throughout the whole year. Such airlines in this connection would be the National airlines of the two countries concerned, in our case Canada and Britain would be Air Canada and British Airways.

Charter flights are synonymous with summertime travel and offer the public cheaper flights to Europe and the opportunity to have a Europe holiday. Tour operators who put holiday packages together will charter or lease an aircraft from an airline and the tour operator will sell the seats to the travellers, usually through a travel agent. The passenger’s contract is with the travel agent, not the airline itself.

However, as these companies all have their own web sites now you can go direct and book flights to your desired destination yourself, but if you want better service and maybe other travel arrangements as well, we recommend you approach a travel agent who is experienced in these things.

Flexibility is the name of the game too, so bear in mind that because you flew into London you don’t have to return home from London. Another city can be used to fly back to your home city or origin city from where you flew in the first place. This arrangement is only possible flying with the same airline. By buying return tickets you may save some money.

However, there is nothing to stop you flying with more than one airline, but then in that case single fares for each applicable airline will be charged and when added together could possibly total more than the return fare charged by the airline above.

To secure the cheapest charter flight, follow these tips:

• Think strategically. Delay buying a ticket until just before you want to travel. The price generally drops a day or two before the flight because charter airlines must sell seats or lose money on the flight.

• Book early to avoid disappointment, fares can often be cheaper if you book 6 months in advance of travel dates, but bear in mind once booked and paid for you cannot change the dates.

• Do lots of research by telephone or online before you commit your cash?

• Know where you are flying into. Charter flights often land at small or out-of-the-way airports. Travellers on an all-inclusive holiday will usually have transport arranged as part of the package, but flight-only travellers may not. Check out local transport links or taxi companies to avoid being stranded.

• Make sure you know exactly what is included in your ticket. Will you get a complimentary meal? What is your baggage allowance? Can you pay extra for a seat with more legroom? Is there a fuel surcharge / credit or debit card charge / ticket on departure charge? Late booking fee charge?

• Last but not least, when the number of seats are at a premium, most airlines are now charging higher again at the last minute, because the airline only has a few seats available, so watch out.

Air Transat is Canada’s leading holiday travel airline. It carries some 3 million passengers annually to nearly 60 destinations in 25 countries. Air Transat, as at May 2011, has a fleet of 23 Airbus A330s and A310s. 12 x A310s; 7 x A330-200s; 4 x A330-300s. For more information click the particular air plane below.

Airbus A310-300; Airbus A330-200 and Airbus A330-300

The Airbus A310 will gradually leave the fleet in years 2013 to 2016. For pictures of the latest aircraft in their new livery see below

Fly from Britain to Canada

For more information and to reserve seats on Air Transat two web sites are available. Namely Airtransat.co.uk or on the aircraft of Air Transat flights the following web site of Canadian Affair. See below for information about this popular British Company well known to the travelling public in that country.

From Europe to Canada

The following Web Sites are available depending on where in Europe you wish to fly from and which language is preferred:-

Europe in Dutch

Europe in French

Europe in German

France in French

Greece in Greek

Ireland in English

Italy in Italian

Spain in Spanish

Welcome to Club Class

With Air Transat you can choose between their regular Economy class or travel in superior comfort and take advantage of the exclusive privileges of Club Class in a more luxurious setting at the front of the aircraft.

When you book your next ticket on Air Transat, treat yourself and book Club Class. It is well worth the extra cost, more comfort, great meals and super service.

If you have already purchased your ticket in Economy Class and you would like to upgrade to Club Class, please contact your travel agent or call the airline to arrange the upgrade. To leave it to the last minute and do it at the airport is not recommended, of course, as Club Class is popular and fills up early, so book early as seats are limited up front.

Air Transat have improved the range of services offered in Club Class to offer you even more choice and luxury. These changes make Club Class the global standard among vacation airlines.

Club service

• Two flight attendants dedicated to Club Class passengers.
• Attentive, personalized service
• Exclusive and spacious Club cabin

Club benefits

• Priority baggage service
• Checked baggage: 40kg (88lbs) per passenger
• Carry-on baggage: 15kg (33lbs) per passenger
• Exclusive and rapid check-in counter in most airports
• Priority boarding

Club privileges

• Free headsets
• Complimentary travel items
• Canadian newspapers

Comfort and refinement

• Wider, more comfortable leather seats
• More leg room
• Complimentary seat selection
• And more.

Drinks and snacks

• Welcome cocktails
• Complimentary drinks, snacks and bar service

Canadian Affair

Founded in 1995, Canadian Affair offers an a la carte menu of services for all types of travel options to, and holiday experiences in, Canada.In 2006 Canadian Affair became part of the Transat A.T inc Group, widely recognised as the leading integrated holiday travel group in Canada.

The company, voted as the ‘Best Tour Operator to Canada’ in the annual British Travel Awards in 2010, has recently unveiled its summer 2012 programme between the UK and Canada, and is offering up to 400,00 seats on over 60 direct non stop flights to Canada each week.

From 2012 Canadian Affair are using Air Transat’s own fleet of Airbus A310 and A330 jets and will provide flights from eight UK airports – Gatwick/south, Heathrow/4, Exeter, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester/1, Newcastle and Glasgow/2 – to seven Canadian Cities – Toronto/3, Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax and Edmonton.

The 2012 flight schedule can be found on their web site, but so you can start planning, herewith a little information.

Ethos and strategy

Passenger volumes allow Canadian Affair to be the most competitive UK-Canada tour operator in the market.

Passengers receive the best value for money but also a superior fleet of aircraft providing the most comfortable trans-Atlantic service available on the market in Canada.

Product offering

Canadian Affair’s in flight product offer three unique attributes:

• Lowest cost flights to/from Canada

• Highest frequency of DIRECT NON STOP flights - over 60 flights a week to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto/3, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax from London (Gatwick/south and Heathrow/4), Manchester/1, Exeter, Newcastle, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow/2.

• Most comfortable aircraft:

• Airbus A330/A310 – Are operated by Air Transat, on many of the routes. The state of the art Airbus A330 offers wide bodied aircraft comfort as well as such benefits as: Leather seats throughout the cabin, Meals Included, Premium/Club Transat upgrades available along with a host of other leading services and products making your entire journey a pleasure.

• On Air Transat Airbus flights passengers will get a 32" seat pitch.

• Free bag allowance is 25kgs and 5kgs carry on.

Cashless onboard
Air Transat has announced that, as of November 1, 2010, it will no longer accept cash for onboard transactions. Passengers will be required to use a credit card for all their purchases, such as snacks and beverages, duty free items, comfort kits, and so on.

Upgrade to Club Class

Enjoy a Premium upgrade on the Airbus A330 from only £99.00/C$199.00 one way including taxes to/from Toronto and from £199.00/C$398.00 for Western Canada. In Premium you’ll also receive:

• Increased seat pitch (34") and extra wide seat.
• Hold luggage allowance of 40kgs. Carry on is 15kgs
• Dedicated check in desk allowing quicker check in.
• Separate on-board cabin.
• Complimentary bar service and wine with meals.
• Free headphones and amenity kit.

Canadian Affair with their growing passenger volumes have the widest choice of holiday components to tailor make holidays from short city breaks to complex itineraries.

When booking with Canadian Affair, customers are guaranteed the best prices as well as the best customer service.

Travelling from UK to Canada

Visit the site Canadian Affair

In the air you’ll have as standard :

• Outbound flights offer a complimentary hot meal and afternoon tea; inbound flights offer dinner and breakfast.

• Priority boarding for children, passengers requiring assistance and Premium/Club Transat Passengers.

• In-flight magazine and in-flight movies and TV (including children’s programmes).

• Children’s activity pack.

• Duty free shopping.