Win a trip for two with hotel stay & rental car in Gran Canaria

Staystravelweek.ca4 Nov

Win a trip for two with hotel stay & rental car in Gran Canaria

TORONTO — Travel advisors have a chance to win a stylish Gran Canaria getaway with a new contest.

The prize highlights Seaside Palm Beach, a five-star design hotel beside the island’s iconic Maspalomas Dunes. The property combines distinctive Alberto Pinto interiors with lush gardens, excellent gastronomy and a relaxing wellness experience. Its ideal location and warm, attentive service make it an appealing choice for clients seeking an upscale island escape.

The contest closes Nov. 30, 2026. One winner will receive a getaway for two, including three nights’ accommodation at a Seaside Collection hotel on the meal plan confirmed by the hotel, plus a rental car for the duration of the stay provided by Gran Canaria Tourism.

ShareXFacebookWhatsApp

Airlinessimpleflying.com4 Nov

How Much Premium Economy Costs On London-New York Flights In 2026

Premium economy on a London-New York flight can cost more than twice as much as an economy ticket, but the difference between the two cabins and business class can sometimes be surprisingly small. For passengers facing an approximately eight-hour transatlantic journey, a wider seat, extra legroom, better meals, and extra baggage can be appealing, but does the experience justify the added cost?

In 2026, passengers traveling between London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and New York JFK Airport have several airlines to choose from, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue. Those flying to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) have fewer nonstop options, primarily British Airways and United Airlines. With different premium economy products, competing fares, and varying baggage allowances, how much should passengers actually expect to pay for a more comfortable transatlantic journey?

Premium economy on the London-New York route typically costs approximately $1,000 to $1,300 for a return journey, compared with around $500 to $600 for a standard economy ticket. This means passengers can expect to pay roughly twice as much for the upgraded cabin, although the difference depends on the airline, travel dates, departure airport, and availability.

According to our analysis of premium economy fares in 2026, the transatlantic market demonstrates how airlines position their intermediate cabin between standard economy and business class. Premium economy has become a major revenue opportunity for carriers, letting them charge more for added comfort without offering the considerably more expensive lie-flat seating associated with business class.

However, the difference between cabins isn't always consistent. A NerdWallet comparison of British Airways fares found that one evening departure from New York JFK to London offered premium economy for $1,162, more than twice the $532 economy fare. Business class was available for just $1,222, meaning passengers would have saved only $60 by selecting premium economy instead. Another comparison showed a return premium economy fare of $1,459 against $737 in economy.

These examples raise an important question: how much competition exists between airlines on the route, and where can passengers find the best selection?

The greatest selection of nonstop services is available between London Heathrow and New York JFK. According to FlightConnections, five airlines serve the route: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue. The route covers approximately 3,440 miles (5,536 kilometers), with flights generally taking around eight hours.

However, passengers should distinguish between the airlines operating the route and those offering a dedicated premium economy cabin. British Airways calls its intermediate product World Traveller Plus, Virgin Atlantic markets its cabin as Premium, and American Airlines offers Premium Economy on eligible long-haul aircraft. Delta also operates Premium Select on eligible international services. JetBlue, meanwhile, offers its Mint business class and Even More Space economy seating rather than a conventional dedicated premium economy cabin.

The situation is different for passengers traveling to Newark. According to FlightConnections' LHR-EWR route information, British Airways and United Airlines operate nonstop flights between the two airports: United's intermediate product corresponding to British Airways’ World Traveller Plus is called Premium Plus. The route covers approximately 3,454 miles (5,559 km), with an average flight time of seven hours and 55 minutes.

British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American, Delta, JetBlue

World Traveller Plus, Premium, Premium Economy, Premium Select

Such a variety of airlines at JFK makes it attractive to travelers seeking schedule flexibility and competitive fares. Nevertheless, more airline options do not automatically mean cheaper premium economy tickets. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic offer useful examples of what passengers can expect to pay.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are two of the most prominent competitors on the London-New York market, and both offer dedicated premium economy cabins on their long-haul services. Their current fares demonstrate that passengers departing London can sometimes find considerably more attractive prices than those booking an equivalent journey from the United States.

Virgin Atlantic's official website provides a particularly useful snapshot of its pricing. For a return journey from London Heathrow to New York JFK between November 17 and November 22, 2026, the airline advertised Premium fares starting at approximately $1,529. Its published offers for selected dates in May, July, and August 2027 also showed starting fares of approximately $1,542 to $1,549. These are advertised starting prices, not guaranteed fares for every departure.

The airline's official Premium flight deals page also provides information about its cabin and included services. British Airways, meanwhile, allows passengers to compare World Traveller Plus fares through its official website.

Furthermore, the KAYAK sample for February 5–12, 2027 provides another useful comparison point during low season, with prices slightly lower than those for immediate departures within two weeks, although those dates fall outside the 2026 calendar year. With the fares set, the next question is what passengers get for spending more than £1,000 on a return ticket.

One of the main advantages of premium economy is extra personal space, which can make a big difference on an overnight transatlantic journey or for passengers with health issues. British Airways' World Traveller Plus cabin features wider seats, additional legroom, greater recline, lumbar support, and adjustable headrests and footrests. Passengers also receive an enhanced meal service, complimentary bar service, personal entertainment systems, and priority boarding.

Virgin Atlantic's Premium cabin offers a similarly upgraded experience, although the precise seat specifications depend on the aircraft operating the flight. According to its official cabin information, the airline offers up to 38 inches of seat pitch, additional room to stretch out, and a footrest. Its onboard experience also includes restaurant-inspired meals served on porcelain dishware, a welcome glass of bubbly, and additional snacks on selected aircraft.

Baggage is another important consideration when calculating the actual cost difference between economy and premium economy. Virgin Atlantic Premium includes two checked bags weighing up to 50 pounds (23 kg) each, plus a 22-pound (10-kg) hand luggage allowance. British Airways World Traveller Plus also provides two checked bags on most routes, while some economy fares are hand-baggage-only tickets. According to NerdWallet, adding two checked bags to certain British Airways economy bookings can cost up to $175 each way.

These additional services make premium economy more than simply an upgraded seat. However, the cabin doesn't offer the same experience as business class, especially for sleeping arrangements and airport lounge access. This distinction becomes important when the price difference between the two cabins starts to narrow.

The price difference between premium economy and business class fares is not always huge. Airlines use dynamic pricing systems that adjust ticket prices according to demand, remaining inventory, booking patterns, and the number of seats available in each fare category. As a result, a premium economy ticket can occasionally approach the price of a discounted business class seat, especially when demand for the intermediate cabin is high.

NerdWallet’s British Airways example illustrates this well. One New York JFK departure offered premium economy for $1,162, compared with $532 for economy and $1,222 for business class. In this comparison, choosing premium economy instead of business class saved only $60. For passengers seeking the additional comfort of a fully flat bed on an overnight flight, that relatively small difference could make business class a more attractive option.

Passengers also have another option when considering British Airways: using Avios. According to Award Travel Finder's London-New York redemption analysis, a one-way off-peak World Traveller Plus redemption requires 46,750 Avios, increasing to 66,000 during peak periods. Economy requires 27,500 Avios off-peak and 33,000 during peak periods. Taxes and charges are additional, meaning passengers must compare the monetary cost of an award ticket with the cash fare before deciding whether redemption represents good value.

Available loyalty points and occasional business-class promotions make comparing all three cabins especially important. Nevertheless, for passengers without enough points or who can't find attractive business class fares, premium economy remains an interesting middle ground. The question is whether the added comfort justifies the higher cost on this transatlantic route.

Premium economy occupies an interesting niche in the London-New York market because it provides a noticeable improvement over standard economy, often without the substantial expense of business class. On an approximately eight-hour journey, additional legroom, wider seats, improved dining, and priority airport services can make a meaningful difference for some passengers.

However, the financial case weakens when the fare approaches business-class pricing. A passenger paying $1,162 for premium economy when business class costs $1,222 is arguably better off considering the higher cabin, provided the business class fare is genuinely available for the same itinerary and booking conditions. Conversely, Virgin Atlantic's advertised return fare of $1,529 for November 2026 demonstrates that premium economy can be considerably more accessible than some of the higher-priced examples

ShareXFacebookWhatsApp

Airlinestravelweek.ca4 Nov

More flights, more Martinique: “Demand is strong,” says Roy-Camille

TORONTO — With 18 weekly flights from Canada to Martinique this winter, there’s no shortage of lift – and now it’s time for the destination to show travellers from Ontario especially why Martinique is so magnifique.

“Having 18 weekly flights during this winter season is tremendous. It shows that demand is strong and that we have the confidence of the airlines. We really take that as an encouraging sign,” said Karine Roy-Camille, Deputy Director, Americas for the Martinique Tourism Authority, at last night’s ‘Martinique Sensation’ event at Malaparte in Toronto.

“But we still have so much to do because the challenge we’re facing is not about the product or the destination. It’s about awareness, particularly among travel advisors, because they cannot sell and promote Martinique as easily as other Caribbean destinations.”

In an interview with Travelweek, Roy-Camille noted that Martinique has been available from Montreal “for many, many years now,” and in Quebec City for two years. The island’s lift from Quebec City started with one seasonal winter flight with Air Canada. “They didn’t even finish the winter season before deciding to make the flight year-round. Then Air Transat arrived as well.”

For winter 2026-2027, Martinique now has three weekly flights out of Quebec City, year-round.

From Ontario, Martinique started out of Toronto two years ago with one weekly Air Canada flight. This season there are two flights with Air Canada and two flights with Air Transat.

“We still have a lot of work to do, particularly in Ontario,” said Roy-Camille. “It’s a big challenge for us to fill those flights because we have the confidence and trust of the airlines, but we have to help travel agents get to know the destination better and understand its assets.”

Karine Roy-Camille, Deputy Director, Americas for the Martinique Tourism Authority

The good news: Martinique is a truly lovely Caribbean destination, with a sky-high 54% return rate from the Canadian market. The trade is mostly familiar with Martinique thanks to Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek. It’s the only all-inclusive on the island.

“Club Med is our only all-inclusive resort, and that’s a choice we’ve made as a destination,” said Camille-Roy. “What we like is for our guests to arrive in Martinique, leave their luggage at their hotel, villa, guesthouse or condo, and then go out and explore.

The island has many smaller boutique hotels. About 50% of Martinique’s visitors stay in hotels and resorts, with the other 50% opting for villas, Airbnb and the like.

“Club Med is a fantastic property in an extraordinary location in Martinique,” said Roy-Camille. “It’s one of the best locations among all Club Med properties. But we have so many other accommodations and experiences to offer our guests. That’s why we have to educate travel agents first. They are definitely our priority because we believe they can be the best ambassadors for the destination.”

Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek recently opened its brand new Zen Oasis space. Highlights include 56 new accommodation units across seven buildings, including 36 Zen Oasis Deluxe Rooms and 20 Zen Oasis Suites. There’s also a new Zen swimming pool and ‘Cosy Corner’, and a new 68-seat dining area.

Many first-time visitors are familiar with Martinique thanks to its popularity on the Caribbean cruise circuit.

The island is forecasting 275 cruise ship calls for the 2026-27 season, a 12.7% increase vs. 2025-2026.

This coming season’s schedule includes 65 ships operated by 30 cruise lines. That number includes larger vessels, including MSC World Europa, alongside new luxury and ultra-luxury offerings from Four Seasons Yachts and Orient Express Sailing Yachts.

Resort partners and more joined the delegation for the Martinique Tourism Authority’s Toronto event at Malaparte

“PEOPLE LIKE THE FREEDOM TO EXPLORE MARTINIQUE”

Roy-Camille said Martinique’s people are its biggest draw. “Visitors come for the first time, perhaps on a cruise or staying at Club Med. During their stay, they meet people. They meet the local population. The local population is our first asset.

“Twice a year, we conduct a survey with visitors as they’re leaving Martinique. They talk about the beaches, the gastronomy and the experiences. But the first reason they come back to Martinique is for the population, for the people they meet.”

The island is French and European, she added, with excellent infrastructure. “You can rent a car. You drive on the right side of the road, just like here. It’s so easy and convenient. People like the freedom to experience Martinique.”

Martinique “is on a human scale,” she added. “You can go hiking to see a volcano like Mount Pelée in the morning, then for lunch, you can experience a French-Creole gastronomic restaurant. In the afternoon, you can visit a distillery, and in the evening, you can meet with locals to learn about our lives and our history.”

The best news: all that lift this winter will make it easier for the Martinique Tourism Authority to organize FAMs from this market, she added.

Kathryn is Editor at Travelweek and has worked for the company since 1995. She has travelled to more than 50 countries and counts Hong Kong, Jerusalem, the Swiss Alps and the Galapagos Islands among her favourite destinations.

ShareXFacebookWhatsApp

Airlinesthepointsguy.com4 Nov

Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard review: Best for affordable American Airlines perks

Quick summaryA mid-tier business travel card offers airline-centric perks like free checked bags, preferred boarding and inflight discounts, with no annual fee for the first year and a fee increase scheduled for 2027.The card is best suited for small-business owners or side hustlers who frequently fly with a specific airline and do not already have similar benefits through another product or elite status.

Upcoming changes in 2027 will add new bonus categories and statement credits, but also raise the annual fee, making it more valuable for those who use inflight and travel credits.The card's benefits closely overlap with its personal counterpart, so most travelers will not need both unless they want to separate business expenses or maximize business-specific bonus categories.What to considerA high spending threshold is required to earn a companion certificate, and most purchases outside bonus categories earn at a base rate.

Statement credits for inflight purchases and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck will be available starting in 2027, but only offset the higher annual fee if used regularly.Application rules and eligibility requirements may affect approval; consider other business or travel cards if you seek broader perks or transferable rewards.What you'll miss from the articleA detailed comparison of this card versus personal and premium alternatives, plus specific redemption strategies for maximizing airline miles.

ShareXFacebookWhatsApp