Air Canada increases service on key Western Canada routes; boosts Edmonton-London Heathrow service to daily year-round; adds new seasonal sun destinations from Vancouver
VANCOUVER, Aug. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada announced today that it is increasing frequencies on key Western Canada routes this winter including offering the only daily, non-stop flights from Edmonton to London Heathrow, and daily, non-stop flights from Calgary to Halifax. Air Canada will also introduce new, non-stop seasonal services from Vancouver to Ixtapa and Los Cabos in Mexico. Previously announced new routes beginning this winter include the only daily, non-stop flights from Vancouver to Sydney, Australia featuring the carrier's new flagship Boeing 777 aircraft, and the only daily, non-stop flights from Vancouver to Yellowknife. "Air Canada is the first airline to offer year-round, daily international scheduled flights from Edmonton with its non-stop flights to London Heathrow, reflecting global travel demand to and from the robust energy region of Northern Alberta," said Daniel Shurz, Vice President, Network Planning. "We look forward to offering our customers new travel opportunities with the only non-stop flights from Vancouver to Sydney and from Vancouver to Yellowknife. We are further strengthening our network in Western Canada by strategically adding new seasonal winter sun vacation destinations from Vancouver, as well as additional frequencies on key routes from Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary." Vancouver highlights: --------------------- On December 1st, Air Canada Jazz will launch seasonal flights to Yellowknife with 50-seat CRJ aircraft, complementing daily flights from Air Canada's most northern Canadian destination to Edmonton and Calgary. Flights have been timed to offer convenient connections to and from Japan, and points within British Columbia. On December 14th, Air Canada will launch the only daily, non-stop flights to Sydney, Australia with Boeing 777 aircraft. Air Canada's Boeing 777 aircraft features the carrier's new in-flight product, as well as the only truly lie-flat beds offered by a North American airline in business class. The new seasonal Vancouver to Los Cabos and Ixtapa flights will be offered weekly starting December 21st and 22nd respectively onboard 120-seat Airbus A319 aircraft, offering a choice of Executive and Economy class service. Air Canada customers may purchase Air Canada Vacations' all-inclusive holiday packages directly through www.aircanadavacations.com or by contacting travel agents in Canada. This winter, Air Canada will continue its daily non-stop service to Sacramento launched this past summer. Service to Tokyo/Narita, Japan will increase to a total of nine flights each week. Also, the carrier will add additional daily flights from Vancouver to: Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Prince George, Kamloops, Kelowna, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Edmonton highlights: -------------------- From Edmonton, Air Canada continues to offer the only daily, non-stop flights to London Heathrow, the world's busiest international gateway, up from three times weekly when the carrier launched the route last December. This winter, Air Canada will increase daily flights from Edmonton to: Ottawa, Winnipeg, Fort McMurray and Vancouver. Calgary highlights: ------------------- From Calgary, Air Canada will continue offering daily non-stop flights to Halifax and Prince George launched earlier this year, linking Canada's energy centre to two key domestic cities. Twice daily non-stop flights launched this past summer to Seattle will also continue this winter. Air Canada is also adding additional frequencies from Calgary to: Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg. About Air Canada: ----------------- Air Canada was recognized in 2007 by the editors of Air Transport World as the airline industry leader in market innovation, specifically Air Canada's success in implementing an innovative and transparent pricing structure, its effectiveness in using online technology to meet consumers' needs and its fleet-wide renewal with a consistent, market-leading onboard product among North American airlines. In 2007, Air Canada was also ranked "Best Airline in North America" for the second time in three years in an independent passenger survey of 14 million air travellers conducted by Skytrax. In addition, Air Canada was named favourite carrier by Canadian travel agents in a survey of travel agents conducted by Baxter Travel Media. Montreal-based Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 170 destinations on five continents. Canada's flag carrier is the 14th largest commercial airline in the world and serves 32 million customers annually with a fleet consisting of 335 aircraft. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, providing the world's most comprehensive air transportation network.
For further information:
For further information: Isabelle Arthur (Montreal), (514) 422-5788; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto), (416) 263-5576; Angela Mah (Vancouver), (604) 270-5741; Internet: aircanada.com