Air Canada’s new services

Air Canada to Launch Dreamliner Service from Ottawa to London-Heathrow

Air Canada has confirmed that it will upgrade its non-stop flights from Ottawa to London-Heathrow to operate the daily service with its state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner (left). Beginning next spring, customers travelling between Ottawa and London-Heathrow will have the option to fly in Air Canada's Signature cabin, featuring fully lie-flat suites, as well as the added choice of a Premium Economy cabin.

"Air Canada is pleased to offer customers travelling between Ottawa and London-Heathrow the added comfort of service aboard our flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner," said Mark Galardo, Vice President of Network Planning at Air Canada. “Customers love this aircraft whose revolutionary design improves the on-board air quality, which, combined with other features such as our next generation cabin, mood lighting and other amenities, mitigates jet lag. As a result, customers arrive better rested to hit the ground running for either business or pleasure. With the Dreamliner, we are also now offering customers flying between Ottawa and London the additional option of Air Canada's Premium Economy cabin”.

Air Canada's Signature Class cabin

The 255-seat Boeing 787-8, configured in three cabins of service, will be dedicated year-round to the route beginning March 29, 2020. It will replace a 211-seat Boeing 767-300ER with two cabins of service.

Galardo also announced the introduction of new, year-round services between Toronto and Brussels starting May 1, 2020. Up to five weekly non-stop flights will be operated with Air Canada's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

"We are pleased to launch new non-stop, year-round flights from Toronto to Brussels (left), complementing our successful Montreal-Brussels service now celebrating its tenth anniversary. This is a further expansion of Air Canada's reach to Europe and beyond. This new service will conveniently connect our extensive North American network through our Toronto Pearson global hub directly to Brussels, where our Star Alliance partner Brussels Airlines offers far-reaching connections throughout Europe and Africa"

Galardo continued: "As the location of the European Union, NATO and numerous corporate headquarters, Brussels is a major global destination. Our new Toronto flights, together with our Montreal service, offer North American business travellers the most convenient links to this important European city. Air Canada offers a multitude of travel options between North America and Africa via Brussels, firmly demonstrating the strength of our network and partnerships in offering unparalleled customer choices."

Flights will connect with Air Canada's and Brussels Airlines' respective networks at Toronto and Brussels. Flights also provide for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption, Star Alliance reciprocal benefits, and for eligible customers, priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounge access where available, priority boarding and other benefits. Eligible premium customers in Toronto will also have access to the Air Canada Signature Suite, recognized by Skytrax as offering the world's best dining experience in a business class lounge.

The airline also announced the introduction of new year-round service between Montreal and Bogotá, Colombia (left) beginning June 2, 2020. Flights will operate three times weekly using an Air Canada Rouge Boeing 767-300ER aircraft offering a choice of premium and economy service.

Special introductory fares start as low as $795 round-trip, all in, and tickets are now available for purchase at aircanada.com or through travel agents.

"We are very pleased to offer the only non-stop, year-round flights connecting Montreal and Bogotá, two vibrant cities steeped in history and culture,” said Galardo. “This new route complements our existing Toronto-Bogotá service, and positions Air Canada as a significant player linking the growing markets between Montreal and Colombia's capital and largest city. The addition of Bogotá represents Air Canada's 39th new route launched from Montreal-Trudeau Airport since 2012, firmly illustrating our commitment to developing Montreal as an important, strategic hub. Bogotá is also strategically situated to allow for seamless travel across South America through Star Alliance partner Avianca,"

Philippe Rainville, President and CEO of Aéroports de Montréal, added: "For several years now, Aéroports de Montréal has been wanting to improve service from YUL to destinations in South America. While a flight to Sao Paolo will be inaugurated in a few weeks, Air Canada is doubling the stakes by adding this new direct connection to Bogotá, Colombia. In addition to greatly facilitating air travel for members of Montreal's very large Colombian community, this announcement once again affirms YUL's role as a hub for international air traffic. We are confident that this destination will be extremely popular with travellers. And we thank our partner Air Canada who is sparing no effort to continue improving the range of destinations offered from Montreal."

Federico Hoyos, Colombia's Ambassador to Canada also said: "This is a very exciting announcement. We are looking forward to connecting our capital city with Montreal, the global leader in digital art and creativity, which will further advance the growth of the creative industries sector in Colombia. This new route will also enable a greater number of Canadians to experience 21st century Colombia; a vibrant country that stands out for its opportunities in innovation and entrepreneurship, and for its unparalleled offer of sustainable tourism,"

Flights will be timed to optimize connectivity to and from Air Canada's extensive network at its Montreal hub. In addition, flights are timed to connect to Star Alliance partner Avianca's network to other destinations including Medellin, Cartagena, Cali, Lima, Cuzco, Guayaquil and Quito.

Customers can also collect and redeem Aeroplan Miles through Canada's leading loyalty program when travelling with Air Canada, and eligible customers have access to priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounges, priority boarding and other benefits.

Air Canada in Montreal

Air Canada has strategically developed Montreal-Trudeau (YUL) into an international gateway, connecting its Quebec and Atlantic Canada domestic networks, with its US transborder, Caribbean, European, North African, Asia and South America flights.

Since 2012, Air Canada has launched 39 new routes from Montreal-Trudeau to global markets including Toulouse (launching 2020), Shanghai, Tokyo, Tel Aviv, Sao Paulo, Bucharest, Algiers and Casablanca. Air Canada also announced that as of 2020, Montreal to Seattle will be one of the first new routes operated by the newest aircraft to join the fleet, the Airbus A220-300. This growth has ranked Montreal among the 50 most internationally connected cities in the world. In 2018, Air Canada served more than 10 million passengers at Montreal-Trudeau.

Air Canada's summer seasonal service between Ottawa and Frankfurt service is to end however. The last flight on this route will be operated on October 24, 2019. Customers travelling to Europe from Ottawa next summer will have an additional option to fly to Frankfurt on a new seasonal service provided by Star Alliance partner Lufthansa, which will begin operating on May 16th, 2020 and end October 24, 2020.

The Air Canada Café Opens at Toronto Pearson.

Air Canada is serving up its newest offering for premium customers with the opening of the Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson International Airport (left). Conveniently located in the domestic gate area, the café will offer customers a wide selection of speciality beverages to Grab & Go or to be enjoyed with complimentary Wi-fi in a relaxed, bistro-type setting.

"We are thrilled to unveil this innovative product, one we are sure will create buzz not only for our customers, but the entire industry. Air Canada's premium clientele will have access to this new Café, revolutionizing the coffee shop experience at Toronto Pearson. It will offer a wide selection of beverages and food that can be taken to go," said Andrew Yiu, Vice President, Product at Air Canada.

Passengers will be able to visit the Barista Station for freshly squeezed orange juice, a wide selection of Lavazza Coffee, cold brew mocktails, specialty hot drinks or Lavazza Cold Brew. A self-serve station will offer Greenhouse Juice products such as kombuchas and a variety of organic, cold-press juices available in individual-size bottles, coffee, tea, flavoured waters, soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages. Other items such as Lindt truffle chocolates, OKA fine cheese and Gouter premium pastries will also be offered.

Before 11 a.m., passengers will be able to enjoy a selection of breakfast foods such as yogurt, fresh fruits and pastries. After 11 a.m., the Café will offer an assortment of freshly prepared salads, sandwiches, cheeses and more. It will offer complimentary Wi-fi and access to digital newspapers and magazines in partnership with PressReader, which makes the content of more than 7,000 newspapers and magazines in 60 languages.

A highlight of the Café will be a large mural by Canadian artist Shawn Evans of the places he has lived and travelled. The painting draws upon his memories to evoke the deep and immense spaces found under the prairie sky, to the mountainous regions of the West, to the streetscapes of Toronto.

The Air Canada Café officially opened on Friday, September 6 and will complement the existing Maple Leaf Lounges at Toronto Pearson International Airport. It is located at gate D20 and will be open all day seven days a week. It offers comfortable seating for 109 customers, power and USB ports throughout the Café, washrooms and a customer service desk staffed by Premium Agents.

Information courtesy of Air Canada

Images © Air Canada