Air Canada is gearing up for a major expansion of its international network in summer 2027, adding five new destinations and seven new routes while increasing service across several key global markets.

The expansion, which Air Canada is calling the most extensive intercontinental growth in its history, will introduce new connections from the airline’s Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal hubs.

From Vancouver, Air Canada will launch year-round service to Guangzhou, China, while Toronto will gain new flights to Oslo, Norway; Shannon, Ireland; and Nice, France.

Montreal, meanwhile, will see new service to Basel, Switzerland, and Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Air Canada is also making several existing and previously announced routes year-round, including Vancouver-Guangzhou and flights from Toronto and Montreal to Guatemala City. Montréal service to Tenerife and Lima will also extend to year-round operations.

Toronto-Shanghai flights will increase to daily service, while the airline will resume its London Heathrow Daytripper.

“Summer 2027 marks the most extensive intercontinental expansion in Air Canada’s history, cementing our position as the second largest North American carrier by global destinations served. As Canada’s flag carrier, we are further investing to better connect and position our country as an important intersection of major international demand flows under our New Frontiers strategy. From the expansive trade hub in the Pearl River Delta to the relaxing Adriatic coastline, each of our five new destinations and many schedule enhancements support commerce and tourism and create exciting new opportunities for people to explore the world,” said Mark Galardo, executive vice president & chief commercial officer, and president, Cargo at Air Canada, in a statement. 

“Overall, our schedule reflects our commitment to championing Canada around the world, leveraging the opportunities enabled by a growing, next-generation fleet of Airbus A321XLR and wide-body aircraft, the far-reaching networks we have built at our three Canadian hubs, and the continued loyalty of our customers and Aeroplan Members.” 

“Importantly, our strategy and growth support jobs and trade, connects people and bridges the six inhabited continents via Canada. With more new aircraft arriving shortly, expect even more exciting network announcements and details regarding our initial Boeing 787-10 operations from Air Canada in the coming months.”

More than 125 international routes

For summer 2027, Air Canada plans to operate more than 125 international routes, offering up to 169,000 seats per week from Canada to more than 85 destinations across the Atlantic and Pacific, as well as Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

That represents an increase of more than eight per cent in available seat miles compared with summer 2026.

The airline says its longer-term growth strategy is expected to generate more than 1,500 additional direct jobs by 2028 while increasing its annual contribution to Canada’s GDP by more than $7 billion.

Vancouver gains Guangzhou

Air Canada’s new Vancouver-Guangzhou service will operate year-round beginning May 4, 2027, with three weekly departures aboard Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Guangzhou will become Air Canada’s third destination in mainland China, joining Beijing and Shanghai. The airline says it will be the only North American carrier serving Guangzhou and will operate up to 24 weekly frequencies between Canada and mainland China across the three destinations.

Three new routes from Toronto

Toronto Pearson will receive three new European routes, including four-times-weekly service to Oslo beginning June 2, 2027.

The Oslo route will operate aboard Air Canada’s new Airbus A321XLR and will make the airline the only North American carrier offering non-stop flights to Norway.

Air Canada will serve three Scandinavian destinations with Oslo joining Stockholm and Copenhagen.

Toronto-Shannon will begin June 10 and operate three times weekly, also aboard the A321XLR. Shannon will become Air Canada’s second destination in Ireland alongside Dublin, with the carrier saying it will be the only airline offering non-stop service between Canada and Shannon.

Air Canada will also connect Toronto and Nice twice weekly beginning June 16. Operated aboard an Airbus A330-300, the service will complement the airline’s existing Montréal-Nice route, creating combined daily Air Canada service to the French Riviera destination.

Basel & Dubrovnik join Montreal network

Montreal will gain four-times-weekly service to Basel-Mulhouse beginning June 16, 2027, operated aboard the Airbus A321XLR.

The addition will give Air Canada service to Switzerland’s three major cities – Zurich, Geneva and Basel.

Dubrovnik will join the Montréal network even earlier, with three-times-weekly flights beginning May 11 aboard Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The Croatian route will offer Signature, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.

The new routes are now available for purchase. Guangzhou service remains subject to government approval, and schedules are subject to change.

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