Air Canada adds new summer destinations
Air Canada is expanding its global network for summer 2027 with five new international destinations and seven new routes, alongside increased frequencies on existing key markets. The airline’s three Canadian hubs—Vancouver, Toronto, and Montréal—will drive the growth, with new year-round and seasonal services targeting Asia, Europe, and Central America.
New Routes and Hub Growth
The expansion includes year-round flights from Vancouver to Guangzhou, China, marking Air Canada’s third destination in mainland China and its first to Guangzhou. From Toronto, new seasonal routes will launch to Oslo, Norway; Shannon, Ireland; and Nice, France. The airline will also resume the London Heathrow Daytripper, boost its Shanghai flights to daily, and its new Guatemala City flights that begin this December will be year-round.
From its Montréal trans-Atlantic hub, Air Canada will launch services to Basel, Switzerland; and Dubrovnik, Croatia, while its Tenerife, Lima, and Guatemala City flights will extend to year-round. These changes support Air Canada’s long-term strategy, which aims to create over 1,500 additional direct jobs by 2028 and boost the airline’s annual GDP contribution in Canada by more than $7 billion.
For summer 2027, Air Canada plans to operate over 125 international routes, offering up to 169,000 seats weekly from Canada to more than 85 destinations across the Atlantic, Pacific, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. This represents an 8% increase in available seat miles compared to summer 2026.
Airlines typically frame expansions as economic wins, but the real impact for travelers lies in the practicalities: more direct flights to niche destinations can reduce layovers and costs for business and leisure passengers alike. For example, the new Guangzhou route eliminates the need for connections via Hong Kong or Beijing, while the Oslo and Shannon services cater to travelers seeking scenic routes over traditional hubs.
Vancouver’s New Link to China
Air Canada’s new year-round service from Vancouver to Guangzhou will operate on Boeing 787 Dreamliners, joining the airline’s existing flights to Beijing and Shanghai. Guangzhou, China’s commercial and culinary hub, is the airline’s third destination in mainland China and its first to the city.
Flights will depart Vancouver on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, beginning May 4, 2027, with a 15-hour, 25-minute journey. Return trips from Guangzhou will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, starting May 5, 2027.
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Toronto’s European and Scandinavian Expansion
Toronto will add seasonal flights to Oslo, Norway, beginning June 2, 2027, operated on Airbus A321XLR aircraft featuring a premium Signature cabin with lie-flat seats. Air Canada is the only North American airline with non-stop flights to Norway, reinforcing its position in Scandinavia alongside Stockholm and Copenhagen.
Flights to Oslo will depart Toronto on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, while returns will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays through October 2027. The airline will also launch seasonal services to Shannon, Ireland, home to the Wild Atlantic Way, and Nice, France. Both routes will use the Airbus A321XLR.
Shannon flights depart Toronto on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, beginning June 10, 2027, while Nice flights will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays, starting June 16, 2027.
Montréal’s Year-Round and Premium Additions
From its Montréal trans-Atlantic hub, Air Canada will launch year-round flights to Basel, Switzerland, and Dubrovnik, Croatia. Basel flights will depart Montréal on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, beginning June 16, 2027, with returns on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Dubrovnik, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” will see year-round service starting May 11, 2027, operated on Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
The airline’s fleet of Airbus A321XLR and wide-body aircraft will support the expanded network, with more new planes expected in the coming months.
“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,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, and President, Cargo at Air Canada.
