TORONTO, Oct. 30 /CNW Telbec/ - With the departure of AC 7971, Air Canada today inaugurated daily, non-stop service between Toronto and New Orleans. Flights to The Big Easy will be operated with a 75-seat, Jazz CRJ 705 aircraft featuring Executive and Economy class service and seatback, personal audio-visual entertainment throughout the aircraft.

"With today's launch we are now offering customers non-stop service to New Orleans, one of the most exciting tourist destinations in the U.S. As well, there are important business connections between New Orleans and Canada that this new route should strengthen. Customers will enjoy the choice of two classes of service, the opportunity to collect and redeem Aeroplan miles, and for those who are eligible lounge access and concierge service," said Marcel Forget, Vice-President Network Planning at Air Canada. "This route, the only non-stop daily service between the two cities, also further enhances our Toronto hub at Lester B. Pearson International Airport where our operations are centralized in a single terminal with streamlined customs procedures, making it an extremely convenient gateway to and from the U.S. and an ideal transfer point for domestic, transborder and international travelers connecting to our extensive global network."

Air Canada offers the only non-stop, daily service between Toronto and New Orleans. Flight AC7971 will depart Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport at 10:00 and arrive at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport at 12:10. Flight AC7972 will depart New Orleans at 12:45 and arrive in Toronto at 16:30.

"The New Orleans tourism community is thrilled about the return of the Air Canada Toronto flight," said Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans CVB. "Canada is our number one international visitor destination. This flight increases our capacity to welcome both leisure visitors as well as meeting and convention attendees. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with this very important market."

Air Canada was named Best Airline North America in a worldwide survey of more than 17 million air travelers conducted by independent research firm Skytrax for its 2010 World Airline Awards. Air Canada also won four top honours in Business Traveler magazine's "Best in Business Travel" 2009 annual reader survey: "Best Flight Attendants in North America," "Best In-flight Services in North America," "Best North America Airline for Business Class Service," and "Best North American Airline for International Travel." In 2009 as well, the readers of Global Travel magazine voted Air Canada "Best Airline in Canada" and "Best Airline in North America."

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international full-service airline providing scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 170 destinations on five continents. Canada's flag carrier is the 15th largest commercial airline in the world and serves 31 million customers annually. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 59 destinations in Canada, with New Orleans 59 in the United States and 60 in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,167 destinations in 181 countries. Air Canada customers can collect Aeroplan miles for future rewards through Canada's leading loyalty program, and Top Tier members enjoy reciprocal frequent flyer benefits including lounge and priority services.