Ready For Take-Off: Air Canada Expands Global Reach With New Routes And Flights To Asia, Europe And Latin America

• New Vancouver to Guangzhou, China* year-round service
• New Toronto to Oslo*, Norway; Shannon, Ireland; Nice, France
• New Montréal to Basel, Switzerland; Dubrovnik, Croatia
• Toronto to London Heathrow Day-tripper returns; Toronto to Shanghai increases to daily; new Toronto to Guatemala City flights to operate year-round
• Extending Montréal to Tenerife, Lima and Guatemala City flights to year-round
  

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Air Canada today announced a significant expansion of its global network in Summer 2027 with the addition of five new international destinations and seven new routes, along with increased schedules on key markets.

From its Vancouver trans-Pacific hub, Air Canada will be launching year-round services to Guangzhou*, China. From its Toronto global hub, Air Canada will begin service to Oslo*, Norway; Shannon, Ireland; and Nice, France, while resuming the London Heathrow Daytripper, boosting its Shanghai flights to daily, and its new Guatemala City flights that begin this December will be year-round. From its Montréal trans-Atlantic hub, Air Canada will launch services to Basel, Switzerland; and Dubrovnik, Croatia, while its Tenerife, Lima and Guatemala City flights will extend to year-round.

These routes support Air Canada's long-term growth strategy that is expected to create more than 1,500 additional direct jobs by 2028, while growing the airline's GDP contribution in Canada by over $7 billion per year.

“Summer 2027 marks the most extensive intercontinental expansion in Air Canada's history, cementing our position as the second largest North American carrier by global destinations served. As Canada's flag carrier, we are further investing to better connect and position our country as an important intersection of major international demand flows under our New Frontiers strategy. From the expansive trade hub in the Pearl River Delta to the relaxing Adriatic coastline, each of our five new destinations and many schedule enhancements support commerce and tourism and create exciting new opportunities for people to explore the world,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, and President, Cargo at Air Canada.

“Overall, our schedule reflects our commitment to championing Canada around the world, leveraging the opportunities enabled by a growing, next-generation fleet of Airbus A321XLR and wide-body aircraft, the far-reaching networks we have built at our three Canadian hubs, and the continued loyalty of our customers and Aeroplan Members. Importantly, our strategy and growth support jobs and trade, connects people and bridges the six inhabited continents via Canada. With more new aircraft arriving shortly, expect even more exciting network announcements and details regarding our initial Boeing 787-10 operations from Air Canada in the coming months,” concluded Mr. Galardo.

For summer 2027, Air Canada plans to operate more than 125 international routes, representing up to 169,000 seats weekly from Canada to more than 85 international destinations across the Atlantic, Pacific, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America. This represents a more than eight per cent increase in available seat miles in these regions over summer 2026.

Comments from Stakeholders

“Every new international route added reinforces Canada's role as a global gateway and strengthens the connections that help build a strong Canada. Expanded connectivity gives Canadian travellers greater access to the world, helps our businesses reach new markets, and brings more visitors to communities across the country. New routes deepen Canada's ties abroad and create real opportunities here at home,” said The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.

“Our government recently visited Guangzhou as part of our work to diversify trade around the world and promoted our strengths – our world-class ports and airports, clean energy and abundant resources. This new direct flight makes it faster and easier to do business with one of China's largest economic hubs, helping to strengthen the economic ties between us during a time of global uncertainty,” said B.C. Premier David Eby.

“Air Canada's further expansion at Toronto Pearson reflects the strength of partnership and Pearson's position in connecting Canada to the world,” said Deborah Flint, President and CEO of Toronto Pearson.“The airline's new service to Oslo, Shannon and Nice, along with enhanced connectivity to other key international destinations, strengthens vital links to global markets. Simply put, this gives passengers more choice. As Canada's largest international hub, Toronto Pearson supports the movement of people, goods and investment that drive economic growth across Ontario and the country. We are excited for this expansion of connectivity that unlocks new opportunities for passengers, businesses and communities.”

“ADM Aéroports de Montréal is delighted to welcome these new routes from Montréal, which further reinforce our airport's role as a key aviation hub and Québec's international gateway. Beyond expanding travel options for passengers, the growth of our valued partner's network will enhance Montréal's global connectivity and help drive the metropolitan region's economic and tourism development. ADM is proud to continue working alongside Air Canada to expand its network and strengthen Montréal's position on the world stage, for the benefit of our entire community,” said Karl Brochu, Vice President, Airport Operations and Air Services Development at ADM.

“As Canada's Pacific gateway to Asia and beyond, YVR connects our economy to global markets," said Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO of Vancouver International Airport. "Air Canada's new non-stop service to Guangzhou further strengthens opportunities for our region, building on YVR's role as a key Trans-Pacific hub and the growing demand for travel and trade between Canada, China, and Asia Pacific more broadly."

Air Canada's New Route Schedules**

Vancouver's newest link to China's commercial and culinary hub - Representing Air Canada's third destination in mainland China, Air Canada is the only North American carrier to serve Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province in the Pearl River Delta, a leading region for manufacturing and high-tech innovation in China. Air Canada is the leading carrier between Canada and mainland China, with up to 24 weekly frequencies to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Flights to Guangzhou will operate onboard the airline's Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet featuring Air Canada Signature, Premium Economy and Economy cabins, and will connect conveniently at its Vancouver trans-Pacific hub to a multitude of destinations across North America.

Toronto to Norway's Viking fjords - Air Canada is a leading North America airline in Scandinavia serving three destinations, Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen, and is the only North American airline with non-stop flights to Norway. Air Canada's Oslo flights will be operated onboard its new Airbus A321XLR fleet featuring two cabins including the premium Air Canada Signature cabin with lie-flat seats. Flights have been scheduled to connect conveniently at its Toronto global hub to a multitude of destinations across North America.

Toronto to Shannon and the Wild Atlantic Way - Shannon represents Air Canada's second destination in Ireland, complementing the airline's long-standing services to Dublin. Air Canada is the only airline to offer non-stop service between Canada and Shannon, home of Ireland's renowned, magnificent west coast. Air Canada's Shannon flights will be operated onboard its new Airbus A321XLR fleet featuring two cabins including the premium Air Canada Signature cabin with lie-flat seats. Flights have been scheduled to connect conveniently at its Toronto global hub to a multitude of destinations across North America.

Toronto to the French Riviera - Air Canada is the only airline with non-stop service linking Toronto to Nice, and these services complement the airline's long-standing Montréal-Nice services for a combined daily service to France's top summer vacation spot and one of Europe's leading beach destinations. Air Canada's Toronto-Nice flights will be operated onboard its Airbus A330-300 fleet featuring Air Canada Signature, Premium Economy and Economy cabins, connecting convenient at its Toronto global hub to a multitude of destinations across North America.

Montréal to Basel and the heart of Europe - Air Canada is the only Canadian carrier with a premium lie-flat business product to serve Basel, a city with banking and pharmaceutical industries with proximity to France, located on the banks of the Rhine River. Air Canada is the only North American airline to serve all three major cities in Switzerland: Zurich, Geneva and Basel. Air Canada's Basel flights will be operated onboard its new Airbus A321XLR fleet featuring two cabins including the premium Air Canada Signature cabin with lie-flat seats. Flights have been scheduled to connect conveniently at its Montréal trans-Atlantic hub to a multitude of destinations across North America.

Montréal to the Pearl of the Adriatic coast - Air Canada will be the only Canadian carrier with a premium, lie-flat business class product to Dubrovnik and the Croatian Riviera, known as the Pearl of the Adriatic for its renowned coastline and archipelagoes, Montenegro and the Bay of Kotor. With strong premium leisure travel demand, Air Canada's flights will be operated onboard its Boeing 787 Dreamliners featuring Signature, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.
Air Canada's Dubrovnik flights will connect at its Montréal trans-Atlantic hub to a multitude of destinations across North America.

Flights are now available for purchase at aircanada.com, through Air Canada Contact Centres and via travel agents.

*subject to government approvals
**schedules are subject to change

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada's largest airline, the country's flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network. Headquartered in Montréal, Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada's Aeroplan program is Canada's premier travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million members worldwide. Members can earn or redeem points on the world's largest airline partner network of more than 50 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers a selection of vacation and Flight & Hotel packages, tours, cruises, car rentals, and experiences. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada's passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada's climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For additional information, please see Air Canada's TCFD disclosure. Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX (AC).

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