Today, Air Canada announced an expansion of its international network. This winter, the Canadian flag carrier will launch its first nonstop service to Southeast Asia and resume flights to its second destination in India, pending final government approvals.

Air Canada to launch first nonstop service to Southeast Asia

Beginning December 1, Air Canada will operate nonstop service from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Bangkok, Thailand. The route to Bangkok will be the only nonstop route to Thailand from North America and will operate four times weekly.

"We are extremely pleased to be launching our first non-stop service to South-East Asia this winter, the only one between North America and Thailand. Thailand is a popular leisure destination for Canadians and this new service will give Aeroplan members exciting opportunities to both earn and redeem their points. For further convenience, our Bangkok flights will connect to our extensive domestic and trans-border network giving customers added seamlessness and choice when travelling." - Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management, Air Canada

The Vancouver - Bangkok route will be operated by Air Canada's Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, configured in a three-cabin layout. Customers flying to Bangkok will be able to choose from Canada's Signature Class (featuring lie-flat seats), premium economy, and economy class. Seats are already available for sale for the winter route.

Air Canada Airbus A320 landing at LAX
Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

Resuming Toronto - Mumbai

Air Canada plans to resume daily service from Toronto to Mumbai on October 29 via London's Heathrow Airport. Mumbai will be the airline's second destination in the "strategic India market," with Delhi currently being served.

"We are also excited to return to Mumbai, India's largest city and an important financial, commercial, and entertainment hub, complementing our 13 weekly flights from Canada to Delhi. Our Mumbai services are scheduled to operate with a stop in London Heathrow, offering connectivity to more than a dozen Air Canada and Star Alliance partner United Airlines flights between North America and London, as well as additional options for travel between the UK and India. The India market remains very important to Air Canada, and we are committed to resuming our currently paused non-stop services on Toronto-Mumbai and Vancouver-Delhi when circumstances allow." - Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management, Air Canada

The service from Toronto to Mumbai will not be nonstop and will stop in London for just over two and a half hours. Air Canada flight AC856 will land at LHR daily at 08:30 local time and depart again at 11:10 local time. Air Canada's Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft will also serve this route.

AIr Canada Boeing 777-300ER landing at GRU
Air Canada is hoping to put its best foot forward with its new recovery plan. Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

Additional international expansion

Air Canada will also be expanding services to the South Pacific and South America. The airline will be resuming seasonal services to Auckland, Sydney, and Brisbane. Some seasonal service to South America is also expected to continue, with flights from Montreal and Toronto to Lima, Peru.

"We continue to pursue our strategy of expanding our global network in response to pent-up demand, and expect to operate approximately 81 per cent of our 2019 international capacity this winter. We look forward to welcoming our customers onboard." Mark Galardo, Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management, Air Canada

Air Canada, Canada's largest airline and flag carrier, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022. The airline provides service to 51 airports in Canada, 51 in the United States, and 86 worldwide, with only more joining.

Have you ever flown on Air Canada? How was your experience? Let us know in the comments below.