For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Air Canada is finally looking to resume its nonstop Toronto-Manchester route, which was last flown by the airline's subsidiary, Air Canada Rouge, back in 2019. Operating on a five-times-weekly seasonal basis, the resumed route will begin on June 1st and end on September 30th.

Exciting comeback for the mainline

Air Canada will be deploying the use of the Airbus A330-300 aircraft that allows for the accommodation of 297 passengers. In addition to that, the aircraft will be offering a choice of three cabin classes, including Air Canada Signature Class which features lie-flat seating, Premium Economy Class, and Economy Class.

Flight AC808 will depart Toronto at 09:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, arriving in Manchester at 09:00 am. The return leg AC809 leaves Manchester at 12:15 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, landing in Toronto at 2:55 pm. Stephen Gerrard, Air Canada General Manager Sales, UK, and Ireland, has expressed in delight:

“This is very exciting news for our customers in Manchester who can start planning their next trip to rediscover Canada. Our non-stop flight between Manchester and Toronto will provide our customers in the northwest of England with a direct link to Canada and beyond. We look forward to welcoming our customers back onboard.”

Resuming the Manchester-Toronto route comes just after the Canadian national carrier's recent reinstatement of seasonal flights between Edinburgh and Toronto, set to begin this summer from June 1st to October 29th. Similar to the Manchester-Toronto route, the Edinburgh-Toronto route was also previously flown by Air Canada Rouge.

This time around, the Edinburgh-Toronto route will operate on a six-times-weekly basis till October 2nd, before being reduced to a four-times-weekly schedule till October 29th. The two resumed routes will join the airline's existing nonstop services from London Heathrow to Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal and Calgary, and between Dublin and Toronto.

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Enhancing business

What's even more exciting is that eligible connecting International Signature Class arriving from within Canada and connecting to Asia, Europe, and South America will be entitled to chauffeur services provided in partnership with Porsche Cars Canada Limited, as part of the airline's strategy to enhance its service to passengers further.

The fleet of vehicles will be electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, including the Porsche Taycan, Panamera, and Cayenne, whisking passengers to the distinctive Air Canada Signature Suite, as celebrated by Scott O'Leary, Vice President, Loyalty & Product at Air Canada:

"We're excited to re-launch another key dimension of our Signature Service for international customers, anchored by our industry-leading Air Canada Signature Suite in Toronto's Pearson Airport. Thanks to our partnership with Porsche, customers flying in International Signature Class can now experience their exciting and uncompromising vehicles. As we continue to restart key international routes, we look forward to welcoming our customers at Toronto Pearson with this one-of-a-kind airport premium experience in Canada, in partnership with one of the world's most iconic luxury car brands."

Across the board

The effort from Air Canada does not just stop there, as the cargo division - Air Canada Cargo, has just recently welcomed a second freighter aircraft into its fleet, a Boeing 767-300ER. With the new introduction, Air Canada Cargo will be allowed to ramp up its freighter network with new destinations in Canada and Europe.

With such measures for enhancing service put in place, paired with the restart of many international routes, which allows for Air Canada to restart its Signature Service, it would seem that the mainline is headed for a possible profitable year ahead.