Expect delays at LF Wade, but hope for the best

Last week was the first time the radar repair at the Bermuda airport had a significant impact. On Thursday, May 23 a total of 10 flights were late in arriving at their destinations in Bermuda. Seven of those flights were delayed by more than 90 minutes the Delta LaGuardia flight being over 2 ½ hours late. 

If you were trying to make connections that day, you would have been pushed to the limit trying to catch your next flight.

Since then, every day has seen some flights delayed, but nothing like the previous week. On Wednesday of this week, just four flights were late — US Airways from Philly was 28 minutes behind schedule, Delta from LaGuardia was also 28 minutes behind, while United from Newark landed 52 minutes late and US Airways to Charlotte was almost an hour behind.

The new radar should be installed by mid-July, but you should be mindful that flights are going to be affected until then.

Fare drop

If you’ve never signed up online to any sites to monitor airfare drops, you should. This week I tweeted to my followers that flights from Bermuda to New York went from $351 a ticket to $281 after getting notification from Travelocity. In the same notice it also let me know that flights from Bermuda to Miami went down $87 to $650. 

After clicking on the link in the farewatcher e-mail, it will take you to a grid of various prices and days. 

In this case, if you book a flight to Miami to depart Bermuda on Tuesday, July 30 and returning Sunday, August 4, you can get it for $581.44. 

Even if you’re not comfortable in booking it online, you can let your travel agent know to book those dates for you.

Air Canada

The Canadian carrier announced on Wednesday it is now offering gift cards for travel.

Unfortunately they are only available for purchase by US or Canadian residents, but some of you have US or Canadian addresses. They are available in $25 denominations in either plastic or electronic form.

The Air Canada Gift Card can be redeemed in Canada and the United States online at aircanada.com, through Air Canada call centres and travel agents when purchasing Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada rouge tickets, and extra à-la-carte options such as pre-paid meal vouchers, Maple Leaf Lounge access, advanced seat selection and pre-paid baggage.

Gift cards can be purchased in any value starting at $25, and can include a customized message directed to the recipient.  Gift cards may also be purchased in volume.

Air Canada Gift Cards are now available for purchase by Canadian and US residents online at www.aircanada.com.  

Air Canada Gift Cards are fully transferable, funds never expire and there is no activation or monthly fees. Gift Card balances can be checked online at any time.  Full details including conditions for use are available at www.aircanada.com/giftcard.