InTheAirGuy

Attention Business Editors:

Air Canada Today Announces New Policies for Valued Customers Subsequent to CCAA Filing

MONTREAL, April 2 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced a raft of new procedures with respect to benefits accorded to its SuperElite, Elite and Prestige customers.

This was announced as part of its �business as usual� campaign, in relation to its first full day of operations since announcing yesterday a corporate restructuring through a filing under the Canadian Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).

Air Canada�s intent is to ensure that through this difficult period of time, customers are assured that they are important to the airline. �We are doing everything we can to win over the hearts of the customer and maintain their confidence,� noted Robert Milton. �In light of the cold, harsh reality in which we find ourselves, we have put in place a significant improvement in the benefits offered to our customers, while recognizing the financial realities that we find ourselves within.�

Air Canada�s new measures, announced today, include the following policies:

� Customers with status will be able to use existing upgrades, on alternate even days, except during weeks when there is a single digit. Fares in the B, M, and Q category, will be allowed upgrades, except during periods from 2PM to 4PM at most major gateway hubs, with the exception of St. John�s, where Y fares will also be permitted upgrades from 1:30PM to 4:00PM, recognizing the extra half hour that Newfoundlanders enjoy in life.

� However, upgrades will not be permitted if C-class category space is less than 50% of marginal revenue of sustained cost averages, or any more than current 25% yields on major key strategic routes. An exception will be allowed for M class fares, provided they have been purchased through Destina.

� In addition, SE�s may only use upgrades with odd-number coupons, as all even number coupons will only be usable by E�s and PE�s. In order to provide for a fair balancing of remaining upgrade stock, SE�s with previous E status will maintain first priority at the gate over E�s who previously have SE status. Final arbitration at the gate is subject to RCMP scrutiny.

� Upgrades at the gate will be permitted, for gates numbered 1, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23 and 29, in Toronto airport only. Effective with the move to T-new, upgrades at the gate will be permitted for those who are boarding at gates consisting of a prime number squared by itself, divisible by 2, or 99. Upgrades will be permitted in Vancouver, for all gates in the B wing directly next to the existing A-level lounge.

� New, more beneficial rules will apply to renewal of status. SE�s will earn 1.5 miles for each mile occurring above 37,000 feet, and 1.0 miles below. A new mileage category, �A-miles� for ascent miles, will apply to miles during climb, and �D-miles� for descent miles, for the reverse. A proportion of A x D � Q >.75 ratio to time, will allow for instant status upgrades for about 3 people.

� Customers flying trans-border will not be allowed to upgrade, unless their pre-searched luggage includes at least 3-declarations of support for USAirways restructuring activities.

� All existing Maple Leaf Lounge privileges will be extended, except that only customers with last names begin with alternate letters A, C, E, etc, will be allowed in Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and letters B, D, F, etc will be allowed Tuesday and Thursday. This will alternate of subsequent weeks to reverse order. Anyone with the last name Smith will be allowed in at any lounge at any time.

�We believe that these measures will go a long way to easing the concern that our most loyal customers have,� noted Mr. Milton. �We have been accused of causing confusion with our loyalty benefits in the past, and we want to provide a clear message to our customers that they count. We will no longer obsufuscate our benefits.�

Air Canada currently operates over 1400 Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz, Tango and ZIP flights, although that could change any day.

Skyhawk

You had me going!

Ken hAAmer

Whaddaya mean?

mtacchi

Something along those lines would go a lonjg way to keep FF's comming back to AC in this difficult time. Stand by upgrades from any fare? I would be flying AC again.