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Helijet
Services
Follow
the Whirlybirds to Victoria
by
Jerry
W. Bird
(Article
to be updated Aug,
2002)
S o
you've seen Canada's Salt Water City from every
direction since the days of street cars and 10 cent
beer - right? So your Love Boat's Alaska bound
tomorrow- and you've time to spare? So it's your
first trip to the West Coast, and you welcome
suggestions? Whatever the scenario, as Al Jolson
used to say -"you ain't seen nuthin' yet." Helijet
Airways is the ultimate in flight-seeing, from
harbor-to-harbor in 35 scenic minutes.
More
More
 We
found the Helijet experience uplifting, laid back,
hassle-free and user friendly; but rather than sit
back and relax, my inner child took charge. I was
all eyes, in eager anticipation, as minute-by-
minute the scene unfolded. Hovering above the
helipad next to Vancouver's Canada Place (Five
Sails-Pan Pacific -Cruise Terminal), we suddenly
swooped upward like Mary Poppins, aiming for Coal
Harbour's Waterfront Development site and Lions
Gate bridge, Park Royal Mall and Ambleside Beach
off to the right; skirting Stanley Park's sea wall,
Prospect Point, Lumberman's Arch and the beaches of
English Bay, its harbor dotted with craft of every
type.
 Eagle's
eye view:
In a wink, we were skimming above the treetops of
UBC campus, the Museum of Anthropology and
Thunderbird Stadium to the mouth of the Fraser
River. Here tiny tugboats flitted about like water
beetles, nudging a flotilla of log booms that lined
the muddy banks . Approaching for a brief touch
down at Vancouver International Airport, we could
see its brand new terminal (just out of the gift
box), and new runways in various stages of
completion. Taking off from Sea Island, our
Sikorsky S-76 soared above Steveston Village home
of one of the BC. Cannery National Historic Site,
and base for a fleet of fishing trawlers. This
Richmond community is our top spot to buy the catch
of the day right off the boat.
As we swept by the
Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, and Roberts Bank, the
Gulf islands appeared on the horizon, and in
minutes we spotted the Sidney Ferry Terminal,
serving Victoria (a fraction of the time it would
take by sea). Before long, the British Columbia
Legislative Buildings and downtown Victoria's
loomed ahead as we circled for a touch down on the
Inner Harbor. Our trip was topped off by a free
shuttle to the mother of all hotels... Victoria's
enchanting Empress. So that was it- from one city
center to another in 35 enjoyable minutes. The
return trip provided us an other angle on a
spectacular experience. Small wonder its so popular
with the corporate and business class. And as for
tourism possibilities, with charters and convention
add-ons? -- you aint seen nuthin' yet!
Our travel agent
friends who want to do their clients a real service
should book a Helijet Alaska
Cruise Extension
Package.
Speaking of convenience, Helijet's pad is right
next to the Canada Place Cruise ship Terminal. Golf
excursions to Whistler (voted top year round resort
by Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous) and Powell
River's Myrtle Point club, are a popular group
charter option, as are a variety of great fishing
packages.
Born
at Expo '86: At
a World's Fair that focused on the marvels of
transportation, Helijet Airways Inc., earned its
mark as North America's first scheduled airline to
use helicopters exclusively. Its proud fleet of jet
helicopters provides fast, frequent
harbor-to-harbor service between BC's two major
population centers 7 days a week.
As this Equity
item reveals, "...There were those in 1986 who said
that Danny Sitnam's concept of a helicopter shuttle
between Vancouver and Victoria would never get off
the ground. They were wrong. Today, Helijet Airways
operates from the position of market leader and
flies customers in style with a fleet of Sikorsky
S-76s. The S-76 is a powerful, sexy machine, with a
comfortable seating for as many as twelve and a
flight time to Victoria of 35 minutes. " For
business and pleasure, there are now over 30
flights every weekday, plus weekends. The company
serves over 100,000 passengers annually, from its
three well-appointed locations, each with lounge
areas, free coffee and telephone calls.
For details
contact your Travel Agent or: Helijet Airways Inc.,
Vancouver (604) 273-1414; Victoria (604) 382-6222;
1-800-665-4354 (outside BC) Web
site:
www.helijet.com
(*Salt Water City-
early Chinese name for Vancouver)
Feature
on Seattle,
another Helijet destination.
Helijet
inks frequent flyer and codeshare
agreements
Helijet
International, North America's leading scheduled
helicopter service, has signed frequent flyer and
codeshare agreements with Alaska Airlines and
Horizon Air. Both agreements will commence
September 8, pending government
approval.
The marketing
partnership will provide seamless connections
through Vancouver International Airport for Alaska,
Horizon and Helijet customers.
In conjunction
with the arrangement, Helijet and Alaska plan to
introduce air service operated by Helijet aircraft
between Vancouver and Whistler Resort once
government approval is received.
With the
introduction of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
frequent flyer program, Helijet customers will be
able to earn miles and redeem travel awards on 11
carriers, including American Airlines, British
Airways, Continental Airlines and Northwest
Airlines.
"Around the world,
Vancouver is recognized as a truly international
destination," said Gregg Saretsky, Alaska Airlines'
Executive Vice President of Marketing and Planning.
"The opportunity to connect Alaska and Horizon
passengers through to Helijet's destinations and
new service to Whistler in particular has
tremendous potential. Helijet's solid reputation
and loyal following of business customers provide
the confidence and quality we need to make this
relationship a success."
"This agreement
means we're committed to providing passengers in
Vancouver with connecting flights that are as
seamless as any other Alaska or Horizon Air
connection," said Rick Hill, Helijet's Vice
President of Marketing and Commercial Alliances. "I
also think you'll find all three carriers looking
for new opportunities where we can combine our
individual talents."
Helijet
International Inc. is North America's largest
scheduled helicopter airline, celebrating its
15-year anniversary. Helijet serves commuter and
tour routes to Vancouver, Seattle, Victoria,
Langley, Abbotsford and Richmond.
Seattle-based
Alaska Airlines celebrates its 70th anniversary
this year.
Alaska and its
regional partner, Horizon Air, together serve 80
cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Alaska was the first North American carrier to sell
tickets online in 1995 and in 1999 became the first
carrier in the world to allow customers to check in
for flights online via the Internet.
Contact:
Jack Walsh, Alaska
Airlines 206-901-8753
Cheryl Temple,
Horizon Air 206-431-4672
Rick Hill,
Helijet, 604-273-4688
Helijet
inks frequent flyer and codeshare
agreements
Helijet
International, North America's leading scheduled
helicopter service, has signed frequent flyer and
codeshare agreements with Alaska Airlines and
Horizon Air. Both agreements will commence
September 8, pending government
approval.
The marketing
partnership will provide seamless connections
through Vancouver International Airport for Alaska,
Horizon and Helijet customers.
In conjunction
with the arrangement, Helijet and Alaska plan to
introduce air service operated by Helijet aircraft
between Vancouver and Whistler Resort once
government approval is received.
With the
introduction of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
frequent flyer program, Helijet customers will be
able to earn miles and redeem travel awards on 11
carriers, including American Airlines, British
Airways, Continental Airlines and Northwest
Airlines.
"Around the world,
Vancouver is recognized as a truly international
destination," said Gregg Saretsky, Alaska Airlines'
Executive Vice President of Marketing and Planning.
"The opportunity to connect Alaska and Horizon
passengers through to Helijet's destinations and
new service to Whistler in particular has
tremendous potential. Helijet's solid reputation
and loyal following of business customers provide
the confidence and quality we need to make this
relationship a success."
"This agreement
means we're committed to providing passengers in
Vancouver with connecting flights that are as
seamless as any other Alaska or Horizon Air
connection," said Rick Hill, Helijet's Vice
President of Marketing and Commercial Alliances. "I
also think you'll find all three carriers looking
for new opportunities where we can combine our
individual talents."
Helijet
International Inc. is North America's largest
scheduled helicopter airline, celebrating its
15-year anniversary. Helijet serves commuter and
tour routes to Vancouver, Seattle, Victoria,
Langley, Abbotsford and Richmond.
Seattle-based
Alaska Airlines celebrates its 70th anniversary
this year.
Alaska and its
regional partner, Horizon Air, together serve 80
cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Alaska was the first North American carrier to sell
tickets online in 1995 and in 1999 became the first
carrier in the world to allow customers to check in
for flights online via the Internet.
Contact:
Jack Walsh, Alaska
Airlines 206-901-8753
Cheryl Temple,
Horizon Air 206-431-4672
Rick Hill,
Helijet, 604-273-4688
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