Lisa Peterkin, Toronto Gleaner Editor
AIR JAMAICA'S flight 078 departed Pearson International airport at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Destination, Kingston, Jamaica. What made the flight significant is that the last time Air Jamaica flew from Canada to Jamaica was 14 years ago. So Tuesday morning was a piece of history in the making.
Jamaicans, people from other Caribbean islands as well as North Americans lined up at the new Terminal 1 at Pearson Inter-national Airport in Toronto from as early as 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday to catch what should have been an 8:45 a.m. flight.
Richard Lue, regional manager, communications and special markets, told Canada Extra, that the flight was late because of two things.
Firstly, because Air Jamaica was flying out of a new airport and secondly, because the airline was also flying out of a newly opened terminal. "It was a new airport, but once everybody got on board we were out of there in five minutes. It'll get better," he said. Passengers were shuttled from the boarding lounge at the new terminal 1, which also opened on Tuesday morning, to Air Jamaica's A321, some three minutes away. The ride, however, seemed more like five minutes and passengers complained that it was long and winding. Lue believes that this is potentially problematic and that the airport might need to address it. Passengers were welcomed aboard the flight with the sounds of island music, which reminded Caribbean people that they were homeward bound.
FRIENDLY, HELPFUL
Lavern, a Jamaican who has been living in Canada for 10 years, and who was travelling with her two small children, said she found the Air Jamaica staff friendly and helpful.
"She took the baby from me and they helped me with the stroller," she said. And now that Air Jamaica is back in Toronto, she said she would be flying with that airline from now on. Other passengers seemed not to be as happy, however, as some could be heard muttering and complaining about the delay on the ground as well as the bustle of people moving up and down the narrow aisle.
"Them not organised at all," said one lady. "Me should a stay a Toronto," said another. By the time the flight had settled in the air however, the passengers seemed more comfortable. Even more so, when Air Jamaica Chairman Gordon "Butch" Stewart, President and CEO Christopher Zacca, Flying Chef Louis Bailey, as well as other top Air Jamaica executives, walked about the aisle and chatted with passengers.
Breakfast on board the 3 1/2-hour flight consisted of a choice of French toast, cheese omelet or callaloo, served with fruits, rolls, coffee/tea. There was also a wide variety of juices as well as the signature complimentary champagne. And later, the chef handed out complimentary travel pouches to everyone on board.
The plane touched down at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston to much applause, and when the passengers disembarked, they walked on a red carpet, lined on both sides with Air Jamaica staff.
