Air Canada Affirms Market Leadership by Expanding its North American Network this Summer as Recovery Accelerates

Rhea-AI Summary

Air Canada has announced a significant expansion of its North American network for Summer 2022, launching seven new routes and restoring 41 previously suspended routes. The airline will serve 51 Canadian and 46 U.S. airports, with a focus on stimulating travel recovery. Notable new flights include routes from Montreal to Atlanta and Detroit, and from Toronto to Salt Lake City. This expansion helps Air Canada achieve 90% of its pre-pandemic capacity this summer, enhancing its position as a leading carrier in North America.

Positive

• Launch of seven new routes and restoration of 41 routes enhances network capacity.
• Achieving 90% of pre-pandemic capacity reflects strong recovery.
• Positioning as the leading carrier in transborder travel with extensive flight options.

Negative

• None.

• Seven New Routes launching from three Canadian hubs
• Restoration of 41 North American routes, return to 11 North American cities
• Air Canada offers the most seats, frequencies of any Canadian carrier with 90% of its pre-pandemic North American capacity this summer
• Air Canada's leadership and unique extensive network will stimulate the recovery of the travel and tourism industry

MONTREAL, Feb. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Air Canada today announced an expansion of its North American network for Summer 2022 as the carrier's recovery from COVID accelerates. With the launch of new service on four transborder and three domestic routes, as well as the restoration of 41 North American routes, Air Canada will operate to 51 Canadian and 46 U.S airports this summer and offer customers the largest network and most travel options of any Canadian carrier.

New services will be launching to the U.S. from Montreal to Atlanta and Detroit, Toronto to Salt Lake City, and Vancouver to Austin. Within Canada, three new routes will begin between Montreal and Gander, Calgary and Fort St John, and Vancouver and Halifax. Additionally, service will be restored on 41 North American routes, including: 13 routes from Toronto, nine from Montreal, five from Ottawa, five from Vancouver, four from Calgary, three from Halifax, and two from Edmonton. The routes are timed to connect with Air Canada's domestic, U.S. and international network at the airline's global hubs in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.  

"Canadians are ready to travel, and we're excited to be offering a very significant growth in our schedule this summer. With our recovery accelerating and North American flying reaching 90% of pre-pandemic levels this summer, we are offering more options across the continent, including seven new city pairs from our Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver hubs, and the resumption of 41 suspended or previously announced new routes. These changes will also grow and cement our position as the leading carrier of choice in the transborder market, with the most non-stop flying between Canada and the U.S. and as the foreign carrier with the most service to the U.S. Moreover, our revitalized North American network, designed to connect easily with our global network, gives customers by far the widest choice of routings and destinations of any Canadian carrier this summer," said Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada.

"To match our unrivalled network, we are also enhancing our award-winning airport and onboard services. All 23 of our Maple Leaf Lounges are now open, with new features such as ordering from your seat for safety and greater convenience, and we have introduced a range of touchless airport services that make the check-in and boarding process more convenient. Customers can also benefit from our transformed Aeroplan program, which offers members greater value and flexibility when redeeming reward travel. And, of course, all customers will enjoy Air Canada's industry leading customer service, recognized at the most recent Skytrax World Airline Awards, where our people won for Best Airline Employees in Canada and in North America."

Award Winning Service

Select routes will feature wide-body aircraft with Air Canada Signature Class, with lie flat seating, and Premium Economy. Seats in all cabins are available for purchase now at aircanada.com, via the Air Canada App, Air Canada's Contact Centres, and travel agents.

Air Canada's onboard services on flights greater than two hours feature new Economy Class Bistro selections, including products by Canadian brands and partners, such as meals inspired by celebrated Montreal Chef Jerome Ferrer.

All customers can collect and redeem points through Aeroplan, 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.

New Transborder and Domestic Routes 

Flight	From	To	Frequency	Start Date
AC 799	Toronto	Salt Lake City	Thu, Sat, Sun	02 JUN
AC 8567  AC 8569	Montreal	Atlanta	Double Daily	01 JUN
AC 8581  AC 8583	Montreal	Detroit	Double Daily	01 JUN
AC 1062	Vancouver	Austin	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun	01 JUN
AC 7900	Montreal	Gander	Daily	25 JUN
AC 362	Vancouver	Halifax	Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun	01 MAY
AC 8453	Calgary	Fort St. John	Daily	01 MAY

Returning and Previously Announced New Routes

Flight	From	To	Frequency	Start Date
AC 8680  AC 8682	Toronto	Baltimore	Double Daily	15 MAY
AC 8745  AC 8747	Toronto	Charlotte	Double Daily	01 MAY
AC 8705 AC 8707	Toronto	Cincinnati	Double Daily	01 MAY
AC 8895 AC 8897	Toronto	Indianapolis	Double Daily	15 MAY
AC 513	Toronto	Portland	Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri	27 JUN
AC 8795  AC 8797	Toronto	St. Louis	Double Daily	07 MAY
AC 8590	Toronto	Hartford	Daily	01 JUN
AC 8917	Toronto	Milwaukee	Daily	01 JUL
AC 8677	Toronto	New Orleans	Daily	01 JUL
AC 8865	Toronto	Kansas City	Daily	01 JUL
AC 1941	Toronto	Fort McMurray	Tues, Thu, Sat	03 MAY
AC 1975	Toronto	Nanaimo	Mon, Wed, Fri	29 JUN
AC 8410	Toronto	Gander	Daily	01 JUN
AC 8791	Montreal	Pittsburgh	Daily	01 JUN
AC 8735	Montreal	Raleigh	Daily	01 JUN
AC 8759	Montreal	Baltimore	Daily	01 JUN
AC 8771	Montreal	Nashville	Thu, Fri, Sat	02 JUN
AC 1285	Montreal	Phoenix	Tue, Sat	03 MAY
AC 527	Montreal	San Diego	Wed, Fri, Sun	20 MAY
AC 515	Montreal	Seattle	Daily	31 MAY
AC 1685	Montreal	Victoria	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat	03 JUN
AC 8543	Montreal	Regina	Daily	01 MAY
AC 8545	Montreal	Saskatoon	Daily	01 MAY
AC 532	Vancouver	Boston	Daily	04 JUN
AC 8596	Vancouver	Sacramento	Daily	01 JUN
AC 539	Vancouver	Anchorage	Daily	07 MAY
AC 8482	Vancouver	Yellowknife	Daily	01 JUN
AC 1870	Vancouver	Quebec	Mon, Wed, Fri	02 MAY
AC 8869	Ottawa	Washington-Reagan	Daily	01 MAY
AC 8109	Ottawa	Winnipeg	Daily	01 JUN
AC 8182	Ottawa	Charlottetown	Daily	01 JUN
AC 8098	Ottawa	Quebec City	Daily	01 JUN
AC 7701  AC 7705  AC 7709  AC 7711	Ottawa	Toronto Island	Up to 4 times Daily	01 MAY
AC 8661	Halifax	Boston	Daily	24 JUN
AC 8549	Halifax	Goose Bay	Daily	30 APR
AC 584	Calgary	New York-Newark	Daily	01 MAY
AC 392	Calgary	Halifax	Daily	30 APR
AC 1872	Calgary	Quebec	Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun	01 MAY
AC 8289	Calgary	Castlegar	Daily	01 MAY
AC 8563	Edmonton	San Francisco	Daily	01 MAY
AC 8113	Edmonton	Yellowknife	Daily	01 JUN

Air Canada may continue to adjust its schedule as more opportunities arise or based on COVID-19's trajectory and the further easing of government travel restrictions.

Travel Policy: Book with confidence

Air Canada's new refund policy is applicable to all tickets purchased. It offers customers the option of a full refund to the original form of payment, an Air Canada Travel Voucher or the equivalent value in Aeroplan Points with a 65% bonus should the airline cancel or reschedule a flight by more than three hours.

To book your next trip and for most updated schedule, visit aircanada.com.

Travelling internationally? Visit our Travel Ready Hub for the latest government entry requirements. Customers are responsible for ensuring they meet all government entry requirements, including holding the correct travel documents, visas, any required health certificates, and all other eligibility requirements for any flights they purchase. Government requirements may change with little notice.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline, the country's flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking from the independent U.K. research firm Skytrax, which in 2021 also named Air Canada as having the Best Airline Staff in North America, Best Airline Staff in Canada, Best Business Class Lounge in North America, as well as an Excellence award for its handling of COVID-19. Also in 2021, Air Canada was named Global Traveler's Best Airline in North America for the third straight year. In January 2021, Air Canada received APEX's Diamond Status Certification for the Air Canada CleanCare+ biosafety program for managing COVID-19, the only airline in Canada to attain the highest APEX ranking. Air Canada has also committed to a net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050. For more information, please visit: aircanada.com/media, follow Air Canada on Twitter and LinkedIn, and join Air Canada on Facebook.

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SOURCE Air Canada

FAQ

What new routes is Air Canada launching in Summer 2022?

Air Canada is launching new routes from Montreal to Atlanta and Detroit, Toronto to Salt Lake City, and Vancouver to Austin, along with three domestic routes.

How many North American routes is Air Canada restoring in Summer 2022?

Air Canada is restoring 41 previously suspended North American routes this summer.

What percentage of pre-pandemic capacity will Air Canada operate at this summer?

Air Canada expects to operate at 90% of its pre-pandemic North American capacity this summer.

What recent awards has Air Canada received?

Air Canada was recognized for having the Best Airline Employees in Canada and North America at the Skytrax World Airline Awards.