Air Canada rebuilding U.S. network following relaxed travel restrictions

MONTREAL, August 11, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ – Air Canada today announced it will begin non-stop service between Vancouver and Santa Ana in Orange County, California starting Oct. 2, 2021. Flights will initially be four times per week, with plans to increase to daily service in 2022. Seats are available for booking at aircanada.com, via the Air Canada App, Air Canada’s Contact Centres and travel agencies.

“We are pleased to strategically add another popular transborder service as we continue restoring our Canada-U.S. network. 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. We look forward to welcoming our customers onboard,” said Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management at Air Canada.

The addition of Orange County to its U.S. network 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 U.S. The airline plans to restore services to all 57 U.S. destinations it operated prior to the COVID-19 pandemic as conditions allow.

The Canadian federal government has adjusted restrictions on travel between Canada and the U.S. as of Aug. 9, 2021, enabling fully vaccinated Americans to enter Canada for non-essential travel, the removal of quarantine hotel requirements for travellers entering or returning to Canada, relaxed testing requirements allowing Canadians taking short transborder trips for less than 72 hours to do their pre-entry tests in Canada, among other measures.

Air Canada’s Orange County flights will be operated onboard Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft offering a choice of Premium and Economy cabins and upgraded in-flight entertainment at every seat throughout the aircraft.  All customers can collect and redeem Aeroplan Points through Canada's leading loyalty program when travelling with Air Canada, and eligible customers have access to priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounges at Canadian airports, priority boarding and other benefits.  Air Canada's commercial schedule may be adjusted as required based on the COVID-19 trajectory and government restrictions.

New digital solution via Air Canada App simplifies COVID-19 related document requirements

Air Canada has developed a new digital solution via the Air Canada App, enabling customers 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 to validate compliance with government travel requirements prior to arriving at the airport. More information is at: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and-updates/2020/covid-19/document-validation.html.

New Refund Policy gives customer choices and options

Air Canada’s new refund policy of offering customers options of refunds, an Air Canada Travel Voucher or equivalent value in Aeroplan Points with a 65 per cent bonus should the airline cancel or reschedule a flight by more than three hours, is applicable to all tickets purchased. 

Travelling internationally?

Check our COVID-19 hub or IATA's Timatic website for the most recent government entry requirements. Customers are responsible for making sure they meet all government entry requirements. In particular, they will need to have all required travel documents, visas and health certificates and comply with all other entry criteria that apply to the flights for which they have purchased tickets. Government requirements may change at short notice.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline and, in 2019, was among the top 20 largest airlines in the world. It is Canada's flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax. In 2020, Air Canada was named Global Traveler's Best Airline in North America for the second straight year. In January 2021, Air Canada received APEX's Diamond Status Certification for the Air Canada CleanCare+ biosafety program for managing COVID-19, the only airline in Canada to attain the highest APEX ranking. Air Canada has also committed to a net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050. For more information, please visit: aircanada.com/media, follow Air Canada on Twitter and LinkedIn, and join Air Canada on Facebook.

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