http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=417702 Air Canada offers aid to stranded passengers -- at a price Scott Deveau, Financial Post Published: Thursday, April 03, 2008 Air Canada unveiled a new service on Wednesday aimed at helping passengers weather delays or cancellations caused by factors outside of the airline's control. But the so-called "On My Way" service -- and the fee associated -- was quickly panned by consumer groups and its main rival. The optional offering, which costs $25 and $35 depending on the length of the flight, entitles Air Canada passengers stranded due to bad weather, airport or air traffic delays with instant message updates, and complimentary accommodations, meals and bookings on the next available flight -- even if it's on another carrier. While Air Canada offers some of these services already in rare circumstances, they are not the norm, nor are they its obligation. Unlike U.S. airlines, Canadian carriers are not mandated to provide passengers with compensation for lengthy delays or cancellations. Air Canada follows other legacy carriers in such incidents, booking passengers on the next available flight or in rare cases springing for a hotel or meal if it is an issue within their own operations that caused the delay. However, if something like a storm hits, compensation is negligible. "We saw this as a big need in our marketplace," said Ben Smith, Air Canada chief operating officer, in an interview. "It's an industry first that goes above and beyond customer protection when things outside of the control of an airline happen." While it may be true it's an industry first to charge for such a service, Air Canada's rival WestJet Airlines Ltd. already offers a comparable service for free, according to Richard Bartrem, WestJet spokesman. In fact, the Calgary carrier offers free overnight stays and meal vouchers regardless of whether it's due to something within its own operations or due to something outside of its control, he said. "We do that because, we as an airline that cares, believe that's the right thing to do," Mr. Bartrem added. Michael Janigan, executive director of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, a consumer advocacy group, said Air Canada's new fee is just another way to strip back its offerings. "Ten years ago, these kinds of matters would be looked after by the airline itself," he said. "Effectively what you're seeing is a reduction of the air carrier's responsibility to effectively taking off and landing." The trend in recent years has been for carriers around the globe to start charging for services that were once free. In the age of US$100 a barrel oil, this allows them to turn a profit while offsetting fuel prices and keeping fares competitive. Air Canada is not alone in its efforts -- just last week, Northwest Airlines joined the ranks of U.S. carriers who now charge a $25 fee for checking a second piece of luggage. But the country's largest carrier has been recognized for leading the way with its so-called "a la carte pricing," where it charges extra for everything from advanced seat selection to flexible fares. Copyright © 2007 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved. ____________________________________________________________________________________ You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you wish to unsubscribe from the AIRLINE List, please send an E-mail to: "listserv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx". Within the body of the text, only write the following:"SIGNOFF AIRLINE".