Customers will have choice of easy Tokyo access at Haneda or onward connections at Narita

VANCOUVER, Aug. 17 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced it is boosting service to Tokyo by adding a new daily, non-stop flight between Vancouver and Haneda Airport, conveniently located near the Japanese capital. The new route begins January 29, 2011 and will complement existing daily flights to Narita International airport, meaning Air Canada is doubling daily service between Vancouver and Tokyo as part of its international expansion strategy. Flights are now available for purchase.

"With Canada's only service to Haneda Airport, Air Canada is offering travellers to Japan the best of both worlds and twice as many flights to get there from Vancouver. Customers will be able to choose between flying non-stop to Haneda, which is only 30 minutes from downtown Tokyo, or they can continue to fly non-stop to Narita International Airport for onward domestic or international connections on our Star Alliance partners," said Ben Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. "We are confident our newest international flight will meet the growing demand for travel in the strong Pacific market, which saw Air Canada introduce a non-stop Calgary-Narita flight this year. Air Canada continues to focus on its global route expansion and we have added eight new international routes and destinations in 2010. With its lie-flat Executive First suites, Maple Leaf Lounges, concierge service, personal audio-visual systems at every seat, Aeroplan reward miles and much more, Air Canada is increasingly the preferred choice of international travellers."

Beginning January 29, 2011, Air Canada's Haneda flights will operate as follows:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Days of week   Depart     Arrive           Depart           Arrive
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Monday,        Vancouver  Haneda at 23:00  Haneda at 00:30  Vancouver at
    Wednesday,     at 19:30   the next night   (beginning       16:25 the
    Friday,                                    January 31)      previous day
    Saturday
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Tuesday,       Vancouver  Haneda at 22:30  Haneda at 00:30  Vancouver at
    Thursday,      at 19:00   the next night   (beginning       16:25 the
    Sunday                                     January 31)      previous day
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flights are timed to offer convenient connections in Haneda to and from Bangkok and Singapore, and connections in Vancouver to and from various points across Western Canada and US west coast served by Air Canada.

The airline's new flights to Haneda will be operated onboard 211-seat Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft offering a choice of Executive First and Economy service, with the carrier's individual in-flight entertainment system available at every seat throughout the aircraft.

With these new flights to Haneda, Air Canada offers the most number of flights between Canada and Japan with up to 24 weekly, non-stop flights from Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto to Narita or Haneda.

"I am very pleased that Air Canada is introducing this new flight to Tokyo, supporting Vancouver as an important destination and a key gateway to Asia. Tokyo Haneda is in great demand, and this flight will provide an excellent choice for businesses and leisure customers between Canada and Japan. It will also support Vancouver as a premier tourism destination for Japanese travelers," said the Honourable Chuck Strahl, MP for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon and Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

"Expanding air services between Vancouver and Asia is good news for the people and businesses of British Columbia," said Larry Berg, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Airport Authority. "Air Canada's new Vancouver - Tokyo Haneda service will not only strengthen trade and tourism ties between these two regions, but also continue to develop YVR as a key Asia-Pacific gateway. Every new wide-body daily international service to YVR generates over 100 person-years of employment, over $5 million in wages, and over $8 million to British Colombia's Gross Domestic Product annually."

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, 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.