MONTREAL — Air Canada is launching nonstop service between Vancouver and Santa Ana in Orange County, California, starting Oct. 2, 2021.
Flights will initially be available four times per week, with plans to increase to daily service in 2022. Flights going both ways between Vancouver (YVR) and Orange County (SNA) will depart Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 2-Dec. 19, with a Friday flight being added from Dec. 20-Jan. 9. From Jan. 10, onwards, service will increase to daily.
Flights will be operated onboard Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft featuring a choice of Premium and Economy cabins and upgraded in-flight entertainment at every seat.
“We are pleased to strategically add another popular transborder service as we continue restoring our Canada-U.S. network,” said Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada. “Orange County is known for iconic tourism, sports and entertainment, high tech industries and more, and our service to John Wayne Airport offers customers another convenient airport choice in the greater Los Angeles area. Our schedule enables convenient connections through our Vancouver hub to and from our destinations across Canada.”
The news follows Air Canada’s recent announcement of new transborder routes from Quebec City to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale that begin this November. By this fall, Air Canada will offer up to 240 daily flights to and from 35 destinations in the United States, with plans to restore services to all 57 U.S. destinations it operated prior to the pandemic, as conditions allow.
The federal government eased travel restrictions between Canada and the United States on Aug. 9, including the reopening of the border to fully vaccinated Americans, the removal of quarantine hotel requirements for travellers entering or returning to Canada, and relaxed testing requirements that allow Canadians to take short transborder trips for less than 72 hours to do their pre-entry tests in Canada.
To make travel easier for guests, Air Canada has developed a new digital solution via the Air Canada App. It enables guests flying between Canada and the U.S., and between Canada and select European destinations to conveniently and securely scan and upload COVID-19 test results and validate compliance with government travel requirements prior to arriving at the airport.
Moreover, Air Canada’s new refund policy includes the options of refunds, an Air Canada Travel Voucher or equivalent value in Aeroplan Points with a 65% bonus, should the airline cancel or reschedule a flight by more than three hours. The policy is applicable to all tickets purchased.
