On Location: “Instagram-type island”: PAX unpacks Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands with Air Canada, agents

“I'm really looking for the variety in Mallorca. And I've got to say, it's a very Pinterest, Instagram-type island.”

That’s Karen Acs, principal, regional sales for Air Canada, speaking to PAX in Menorca, Spain – one of the Balearic islands in the Mediterranean Sea – the kick-off point for a week-long FAM hosted by the airline ahead of its brand new route from Montreal to Palma De Mallorca, kicking off mid-June with three direct flights weekly to the Mediterranean island.

This week, PAX is on location with Air Canada, the Spanish Tourism Office and an esteemed group of Canadian travel advisors, getting a taste of the new route and location.

“We’re exploring Palma de Mallorca through the direct flight from Montreal with Air Canada and Palma de Mallorca as a gateway to the Balearic Islands,” said Acs.

The FAM includes not only a visit to Mallorca, but Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera as well.

The itinerary has, so far, included visits to various art galleries across Menorca, as well as walking tours of the towns of Mahón and Ciutadella, a tour of the Ria factory where classic Spanish sandals are made and sold, and a sampling of Menorcan wine, gin, meats, and cheeses.

Accommodations for the first leg included Alcaufar Vell Menorca, an 18th century manor turned luxury boutique hotel with a Michelin-recognized restaurant and 21 rooms set in the Menorcan countryside.

The trip will also involve a visit to a Palma De Mallorca winery, olive oil tastings, an exploration of Mallorca’s Bellver Castle, a walking tour of old town, and a ride to Sóller on the Ferrocarril de Sóller, am historic wooden train operation, operating since 1912, that takes passengers from Palma to Sóller through the Serra de Tramuntana mountains.

“Canadians are hungry to get to these destinations and we’re connecting them with our robust network within Canada,” said Acs.

When it came to adding routes to their network this summer, Palm De Mallorca just made sense for Air Canada.

“There's always a list of potential routes and a lot of research goes into network development,” said Acs.

The fleet will include the new Airbus 321 XLR which will take off in mid-summer and service the new Montreal to Palma de Mallorca route.

“This aircraft is the right size for this kind of a market,” said Acs. “It's a single aisle three-and-three configuration in economy and has an international standard business class with lie-flat seats.”

“The XLR stands for extra-long range, so what you have is a fuel-efficient aircraft that holds the right number of passengers for a market like this.”

Acs said hosting a FAM, ahead of the launch, was key in getting Canadians (and travel advisors) interested in it.

“We have a lot to offer North American travellers, so we want to make sure travel advisors know about the beauty and tourism that is here – beyond the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean,” she said.

Stay tuned for more of PAX’s on-location coverage!

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