MONTREAL, May 25, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Following the recent introduction by the Honourable Marc Garneau, federal Minister of Transport, of legislation to modernize transportation, Air Transat wishes to reiterate its commitment to taking every possible measure to ensure that families are seated together on its aircraft. The country's leading carrier for holiday travel in Canada and on transatlantic routes emphasizes that it has always done its utmost to seat children beside a parent.

"Air Transat is a family-oriented airline, and this rule has long been an integral part of the way we do business," says Air Transat President Jean-François Lemay. "We encourage parents travelling with their children to let our Information and Seat Selection Centre (1 877 TRANSAT) know about their family requirements and to arrive at the check-in counter within the time limits stipulated in the electronic travel documents. If they comply with these conditions, there is no reason for children to be seated alone."

To obtain specific seats in the plane, it is recommended that passengers choose the seat selection service or the Option Plus package, which offers several advantages in Economy Class. For a slight extra charge, these services provide customers with maximum peace of mind. Young globe-trotters aged 2 to 11 who are members of the Air Transat Kids Club benefit from free standard seat selection.

Overbooking: volunteers only

Overbooking is not common practice at Air Transat. "In exceptional cases where it happens, we always ask for volunteers to give up their seat and we compensate them properly," says Mr. Lemay. "I don't remember ever refusing to board a non-volunteer passenger. Our directives are very clear and everything is done with the greatest respect for travellers."

About Air Transat
Air Transat is Canada's number one holiday travel airline in the Canadian and transatlantic markets. Every year, it carries some three million passengers to approximately 60 destinations in 26 countries. Based in Montreal, the company employs about 3,000 people and operates a fleet of Boeing narrow-body and Airbus wide-body jets. In 2016, Air Transat was named Best North American Leisure Airline for the fifth consecutive year by Skytrax. In recent years, the carrier has earned multiple distinctions for its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint. Since 2011, it has consistently been ranked number one in North America for energy efficiency, and in the Top 20 worldwide, by the Atmosfair Airline Index. Air Transat is a business unit of Transat A.T. Inc., a leading integrated international tourism company active in air transportation, accommodation, travel packaging and distribution. Transat was awarded Travelife Partner status in 2016 in recognition of its commitment to sustainable development. The vacation travel companion par excellence, Transat celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2017.

SOURCE Transat A.T. Inc.