MONTREAL, Feb. 8 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada announced today that starting June 18, 2011, it will launch daily seasonal non-stop flights between Gander, NL and Toronto.

"We are pleased to offer our customers direct non-stop Gander-Toronto service, to complement existing Gander services to Halifax, St. John's, and Goose Bay," said Marcel Forget, Air Canada's Vice President, Network Planning.  "Travellers will enjoy the only non-stop service between Gander and our major hub Toronto with convenient connections throughout Canada, and the U.S."

"This flight will provide direct access to Air Canada's Toronto hub," said Gary Vey, President and CEO of the Gander International Airport Authority. "For local residents and industry, it means better connectivity to Air Canada's expansive global network."

The first flight, AC1170, will depart Toronto on June 18, 2011 at 22:55 and arrive in Gander at 03:17.  Beginning June 19th, Air Canada flight AC1171 will depart Gander at 05:20 and arrive in Toronto at 06:59.  Flights will be operated by Air Canada using  93-seat Embraer190 aircraft offering a choice of Executive Class and Economy service, free personal audio-video entertainment at every seat and a wide choice of music, movies and TV programming.

Flights are timed to offer convenient connections at Air Canada's main Toronto hub to and from numerous cities Air Canada serves across Canada and the United States as well as London, England. 

This summer, Air Canada will offer up to seven daily flights to/from Gander, including two daily flights to Halifax, one to Goose Bay, three to St. John's, and one to Toronto. 

Air Canada received top honours in Business Traveler magazine's Best in Business Travel 2010 annual reader survey, winning five awards: Best Flight Attendants in North America, Best In-flight Services in North America, Best North America Airline for Business Class Service, Best North American Airline for International Travel, and Best Airline Web Site. Readers of Global Travel magazine voted Air Canada Best Airline in North America, for the sixth consecutive year in their 2010 reader survey. 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 was named Canada's Preferred Airline by frequent business travellers in the 2010 Ipsos Reid Business Traveller Survey.

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international full-service airline providing scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo from 60 communities large and small across Canada to more than 175 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 is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,172 airports 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.