Travel News Today

Air Canada says it will introduce daily non-stop service between Montreal and Rome next summer. The flights will run June 1 to Sept. 30, with connecting Air One flights available to other popular Italian destinations, Air Canada says.

The airline operates non-stop flights to Rome year-round out of Toronto.

Canadian Airlines offered non-stop service between Montreal and Rome from 1996 to 2000, but the route was dropped after Air Canada acquired the Canadian, said Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick.

«The other thing we've been doing lately is we're trying to build Montreal as a hub,» Fitzpatrick said, «so that's another reason why we've been adding flights there when we can.»

The regular economy-class round-trip fare on the new route is $1,418 (not including taxes) for peak-season travel until Aug. 15, Fitzpatrick said.

Seat sale tickets available until Oct. 31 are priced at $768. Travel to Rome must be by June 9, with the return to Montreal possible at a later date.

In another industry development, Cathay Pacific plans to introduce new economy-class seats that allow passengers to recline without intruding on the «living space» of those seated behind.

The new seats on long-haul flights will have a «fixed-back» design.

«This is the first economy-class seat in the airline industry to provide a fixed living space and passenger-recline in this manner,» the airline said in a news release.

Other cabin upgrades include the introduction of a seat in first-class that can be used as an armchair, a chaise lounge or a bed that Cathay Pacific claims is the largest on any commercial airline - 81 inches by 36 inches.

The airline said the changes are to be phased in between early 2007 and mid-2009.

(Montreal Gazette)