Ottawa - February 2, 2006 - The Canadian Transportation Agency has just published a brand-new edition of the Fly Smart booklet that is packed with important information on air travel like fares and ticketing, reservations and check-in, baggage, travel documents, as well as flight delays and cancellations.
This free pocket-sized booklet provides useful hints to air travellers, especially on their rights and responsibilities, to help them experience problem-free flights. For example, Fly Smart explains how travellers can:
save money if they're flexible about when they travel;
avoid being "bumped" from a flight because of over-booking;
learn what to pack and what to carry on board; and
know what to expect when their baggage is delayed, damaged or lost.
Travellers who encounter a problem with an air carrier should first discuss the problem with the airline. When complaints are not resolved to their satisfaction, help can be obtained from the Canadian Transportation Agency, including informal mediation to facilitate the resolution of the issue.
The Fly Smart booklet is available on the Canadian Transportation Agency's Web site. To obtain a free copy, call toll-free: 1-888-222-2592*, from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern Time.
The Canadian Transportation Agency is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates various modes of transportation under Government of Canada jurisdiction, including air, marine and rail.
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Note to editors: Attached is a backgrounder with selected Fly Smart hints. For more information or for an interview, please contact:
Jadrino Huot
Senior Communications Adviser
(819) 953-9957
* The Agency also has a toll-free TTY line for hearing-impaired persons (1-800-669-5575).
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BACKGROUNDER
Selected hints from Fly Smart
Your tickets
Start planning your trip early to have the greatest number of options.
To save money, be flexible about your travel dates.
Discounted tickets have more restrictions than expensive tickets.
Consider buying travel insurance in case you need to cancel your trip due to illness or other specified problems.
Your baggage
Keep your valuables, travel documents and medication in your carry-on baggage.
Airline liability for the delay, damage or loss of baggage is limited and varies on domestic flights. Ask your carrier what its limits are.
Make an inventory of the contents of your checked baggage and place it in your ticket jacket.
Put a tag with your name and, if possible, contact information for your destination on the inside and outside of each piece of baggage.
Many suitcases look alike! Brightly coloured and distinctive labels or straps will help you identify your baggage on crowded carousels.
Other advice
You must find out about passport, visa and vaccination requirements for your destination since air carriers may refuse transportation to passengers who do not have the appropriate or valid travel documents.
Be sure to have valid photo identification with you for domestic flights and your passport for international flights.
Canadian children who travel outside the country need their own passports.
Make sure your air carrier knows how to reach you in case flights are advanced, delayed or cancelled.
If you complain to your air carrier and are not satisfied with the response, you can turn to the Canadian Transportation Agency. Its Web site has information on how to file a complaint. Complaints may be transmitted directly via the on-line complaint form, by mail or by fax.
Canadian Transportation Agency
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N9
Fax: (819) 953-5686
For more hints, read Fly Smart on the Web or, to obtain a free copy, call toll-free: 1-888-222-2592*, from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
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* The Agency also has a toll-free TTY line for hearing-impaired persons (1-800-669-5575).
Dated: February 2, 2006
