MONTREAL, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Air Canada today announced it
is further expanding its extensive transborder U.S. network with the
introduction in May 2008 of four new non-stop routes between the United States
and Canada: Washington National-Ottawa, Austin-Toronto, Richmond-Toronto and
Chicago-Calgary. With the addition of these new non-stop services, Air Canada
and its regional affiliate Jazz will operate more than 440 non-stop flights
per day on 92 routes between 55 U.S. and seven Canadian destinations.
“With the introduction of these four new non-stop routes serving the
United States, Air Canada continues to expand the most extensive transborder
route network of any airline,” said Daniel Shurz, Vice President, Network
Planning. “Whether offering the fastest routing between national capitals or
direct access from Chicago to Alberta’s booming oil economy, Air Canada
continues to expand non-stop services that offer customers more choice and
better value. In addition, both new non-stop routes from Austin and Richmond
to our main Toronto hub offer convenient access, not just to flights across
Canada, but also to and from Europe using brand new connection facilities, all
under one roof.”
Air Canada will introduce the following new non-stop services:
- Washington D.C. (Reagan National)-Ottawa - starting May 1, 2008, twice
daily, year-round non-stop service between Ottawa and Washington’s
Reagan National Airport. Operated by Air Canada’s regional affiliate
Jazz using 50-seat Bombardier regional jet aircraft, this will be the
fastest way between downtown Washington D.C. and Canada’s capital city.
Flights will depart Washington D.C. at 9:00 a.m. and 8:15 pm.; flights
depart Ottawa at 6:50 a.m. and 6:10 p.m.
- Austin, TX-Toronto - starting May 1, 2008, daily, year-round non-stop
service using a 75-seat Bombardier CRJ-705 Jazz regional jet aircraft,
featuring both Executive and Economy class and personal audio-video
entertainment at every seat. This will be the only daily, non-stop
service between the two cities and further expands Air Canada’s
position as the leading carrier serving the most destinations in Texas
to Canada. AC8114 will depart Austin at 4:15p.m. and arrive in Toronto
at 8:25p.m; with the return flight AC8115 departing Toronto at
1:20 p.m. and arriving in Austin at 3:40p.m. Flights are timed to
provide convenient connections in Toronto to and from Ottawa and
Montreal, as well as London Heathrow.
- Richmond, VA-Toronto - starting May 1, 2008, twice daily, year-round
non-stop service using a 37-seat, Jazz Dash 8 aircraft. This will be
the only non-stop service between the two cities and the only
international route out of Richmond. Flights will depart Richmond at
11:10 a.m. and 7:25 pm.; and depart Toronto at 8:40am and 4:50 p.m.
Flights are timed to provide convenient connections in Toronto to and
from cities across Canada, as well as London Heathrow, Frankfurt and
Zurich.
- Chicago, IL-Calgary - starting May 15, 2008, daily, year-round non-stop
service using a 93-seat Air Canada Embraer E190 aircraft. Featuring
Executive and Economy Class, it is the only flight on this route
offering a personal on-demand audio-video entertainment system at every
seat. AC581 will depart Chicago at 1:15 p.m. and arrive in Calgary at
3:57 p.m.; with the return flight AC580 departing Calgary at 8:30 a.m.
and arriving in Chicago at 12:48 p.m. This new service offers
convenient connections to destinations in Alberta and British Columbia.
Since January 2007, Air Canada flights between the United States and
Toronto have been consolidated under one roof at Pearson International
Airport’s expanded Terminal One, providing more convenient connections between
the carrier’s domestic Canada, U.S. transborder and international flights. The
brand new facilities provide streamlined connection processes that move
passengers smoothly between Canada and U.S. Customs and Immigration. In
addition, Air Canada has opened two new Maple Leaf Lounges for eligible
customers traveling to the United States and overseas destinations. The two
new lounges feature bars and bistros, business and entertainment centres,
showers, quiet spaces for relaxation and striking contemporary design
elements.
Montreal-based Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air
transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 170 destinations on five
continents. Canada’s flag carrier is the 14th largest commercial airline in
the world and serves more than 34 million customers annually with a fleet
consisting of more than 340 aircraft. Air Canada is a founding member of Star
Alliance, providing the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network.
SOURCE AIR CANADA - ROUTE & NETWORK - FLEET