Air Transat

Based in Montreal, Quebec, Air Transat is one of Canada's biggest airlines - behind Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and WestJet - flying 2.5 million passengers on scheduled and charter flights to 90 destinations in two dozen countries. The airline specialises in serving domestic and European destinations in the summer and the Caribbean, Mexico, USA and South America in the winter, with Cuba also being a major destination. Air Transat was founded by former Quebecair employees in December 1986 as an off-shoot of Traffic Voyages.

The airline's inaugural flight was a year later in November, 1987 from Montreal to Acapulco, after which it went on to procure Nationair's maintenance base and aircraft. Air Transat today is a wholly owned subsidiary of Transat AT Inc and has grown to become one of Canada's largest airlines. Schedule services operate between Europe and Canada year round.

Air Transat is based at all of Canada's major airports, including Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver and also has a hub in Halifax. The company boasts a fleet of 15 A310 and A330 aircraft flying to an impressive 90 destinations on three continents, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the UK, USA and Cuba.

Two classes are available - Economy and Club Class - the latter includes wider seats, better food, and complimentary drinks. Meals are also complimentary in economy; drinks are available at a nominal charge. In flight entertainment includes feature movies for flights over two and a half hours, as well as audio entertainment.

On average, check in counters open four hours before a flight. Be sure to arrive within at least 45 minutes of the scheduled departure time or you may forfeit your ticket. Flights can be booked through a travel agent, by calling an Air Transat reservations desk or by booking online.