MONTREAL — Air Canada has announced new nonstop seasonal service between Toronto and Quito, nonstop seasonal flights between Vancouver and Auckland and new winter service from Montreal to Sao Paulo, Brazil, plus Boeing 787 Dreamliner service between Toronto and Honolulu next winter.

TORONTO – QUITO
The Toronto-Quito route, to be operated three times weekly on a seasonal basis by Air Canada Rouge, will be the first nonstop service to Ecuador from Canada when it begins Dec. 8, 2019, subject to obtaining the necessary government approvals.

“Air Canada is expanding its footprint in South America as part of its ongoing international growth strategy from our Toronto global hub. As the capital of Ecuador, Quito is both an important tourism and cargo market, and Ecuador has a growing number of Canadians living in the country who will also benefit from this convenient non-stop service. As well, our expansion in South America gives us an opportunity to efficiently deploy our aircraft during the winter months when southern destinations are more popular,” said Mark Galardo, Vice President, Network Planning, at Air Canada.

The seasonal route will operate until May 11, 2020 with Air Canada Rouge using a 282-seat, B767-300ER aircraft offering two cabins and inflight entertainment streamed to personal devices.

Flight AC1950 will depart Toronto at 11:45 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, arriving in Quito the next day at 6:30 a.m. Flight AC1951 will leave Quito at 8:30 a.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving back in Toronto at 3:05 p.m.

VANCOUVER – AUCKLAND
Heading west, the new, nonstop, seasonal flights between Vancouver and Auckland will operate four times weekly onboard the carrier’s B787-8 Dreamliner aircraft beginning Dec. 12, 2019 until the end of March 2020, subject to obtaining the necessary government approvals.

Air Canada has also finalized a Memorandum of Understanding with Star Alliance partner Air New Zealand to pursue expanding its current alliance arrangement to strategically co-operate in the form of a joint venture, subject to Air Canada and Air New Zealand making the necessary filings, obtaining competition and other regulatory approvals and finalizing documentation.

“We are delighted to add Auckland as we continue strategically expanding Air Canada’s international network and increasing its presence in the Asia-Pacific market,” says Lucie Guillemette, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. “The launch of Auckland service in December will be of particular interest to New Zealanders travelling for a Canadian winter vacation, and to North Americans travelling to enjoy New Zealand’s vibrant multicultural urban and natural attractions during their summer season. We have timed our Auckland flights to conveniently connect at our YVR trans-Pacific hub to and from a multitude of non-stop destinations throughout North America including New York-Newark.”

Flight AC51 departs Vancouver at 11:45 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving in Auckland at 11:05 a.m. two days later. Flight AC52 departs Auckland at 2:40 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, touching down in Vancouver at 6:40 a.m.

MONTREAL – SAO PAULO
Air Canada has also announced new winter service from Montreal to Sao Paulo, Brazil, the only nonstop flights between the two cities.

This new route to São Paulo will start Dec. 11, 2019 and operate three return trips weekly from Montreal until March 27, 2020. Flights are timed for connections across Air Canada’s network in North America, including to and from Vancouver, Calgary and Quebec City, as well as several Brazilian cities beyond São Paulo.

“Air Canada is continuing its international expansion from Montreal with the introduction of the only non-stop service between Montreal and Brazil. Complementing existing Toronto service, Montreal-São Paulo flights will provide a link to the country’s largest city and financial centre while offering a great opportunity for Brazilians looking for a winter vacation in Quebec. São Paulo is the twelfth new international destination added by Air Canada from Montreal-Trudeau Airport since 2017, reinforcing further the commitment we have to develop Montreal as a strategic hub,” says Galardo.

Flight AC96 will depart Montreal at 6:35 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, arriving in Sao Paulo at 7:30 a.m. the next day. Flight AC97 will depart Sao Paulo at 9:40 a.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving back in Montreal at 4:45 p.m.

TORONTO – HONOLULU
Air Canada’s seasonal service between Toronto and Honolulu next winter will operate on its B787 Dreamliners. Customers travelling between Toronto and Hawaii will have the option to fly in Air Canada’s Signature cabin, featuring fully lie-flat suites, meals prepared by celebrated Canadian chef David Hawksworth and other amenities.

“Air Canada is pleased to offer customers travelling between Toronto and Hawaii the added comfort of service aboard our state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Air Canada is the only airline flying non-stop from Eastern Canada to Hawaii and the superior comfort of the Dreamliner, featuring Air Canada Signature Service, perfectly suits this ultimate dream vacation destination, particularly as many premium Hawaii customers connect from European and other long-haul flights,” says Galardo.

Dreamliner service will be available on the Toronto-Honolulu route beginning Dec. 14, 2019 and will operate three return trips weekly until April 26, 2020.

Flight AC589 takes off from Toronto at 4:35 p.m. Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, landing in Honolulu at 9:30 p.m. Flight AC590 departs Honolulu at 11:05 p.m. on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, arriving back in Toronto at 12:30 p.m. the next day.