Air Canada Guide

Founded on 11 April, 1936 as Trans-Canada Airlines, the first transcontinental flight occurred in 1938. The airline continued to add domestic and international flights over the next three decades, and was renamed Air Canada in 1965. Providing both passenger and cargo air transportation, the airline operates an average of 1370 flights on a daily basis, with 178 destinations served each day.

Air Canada History & Information

Air Canada maintains a base of operations at the Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Quebec. Along with its headquarters, the airline operates hubs at the Calgary International Airport, the Toronto Pearson International Airport, and the Vancouver International Airport. The Air Canada network also lists the Edmonton International Airport, the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, and the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport as focus airports.

Air Canada Routes

Air Canada offers a number of domestic flights that provide a comprehensive network for people travelling throughout Canada. In addition to the hub at Montreal, each province is graced with at least one regular flight. Alberta is served by Air Canada flights to and from Fort McMurray, Edmonton, and Calgary, while Manitoba is home to flights at the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport in Winnipeg. Along with the hub in Vancouver, the province of British Columbia enjoys Air Canada service to Kelowna and Victoria.

London, Ontario, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan also are on the Air Canada listing of daily flights. The Deer Lake and St. John's airports are the site of Air Canada's presence in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Other areas in North America are served by Air Canada flights. A total of twenty-seven locations in the United States enjoy inbound and outbound flights several times each week. Major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, Las Vegas, Tampa, and San Francisco are included, as well as smaller cities like Phoenix, Sarasota Florida, Portland Oregon, and Orlando Florida.

Six Air Canada flights serve locations in Mexico, with two of those locations receiving flights on a seasonal basis. Mexico City, Cancun, Cozumel, and Puerto Vallarta are served year round. Seasonal service to the Los Cabos International Airport and the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport is also a common part of the Air Canada routes. Costa Rica is served with flights to the Juan Santamaria International Airport with around the year service, while the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia is served with seasonal service.

Six countries in South America are served by Air Canada. Flights to and from the Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Buenos Aires serve the nation of Argentina. In Colombia, flights to and from the El Dorado International Airport in Bogota are available on a regular basis. Other standard flights are made to and from Caracas, Lima, Santiago de Chile and Sao Paulo.

The Caribbean enjoys a number of Air Canada flights. Six locations in Cuba are served by the airline: Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo del Sur, Holguin, Santa Clara, Varadero, and Havana. Other cities, such as Nassau, La Romana, Puerto Plata, Port-Au-Prince, Montego Bay, San Juan, and St. George's are also served.

Asia is also served by Air Canada, with travel to Tokyo, Seoul, and Tel Aviv. The People's Republic of China is the site of flights to and from three cities: Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. A number of locations around Europe are provided with flights by the airline, including Brussels, Paris, Munich, Athens, Rome, and Madrid. Flights also are available to London, allowing the airline to provide quality travel to and from the United Kingdom.

The Air Canada Fleet

Air Canada's fleet is composed of a combination of high quality aircraft that include the Boeing 777, Airbus A330, and the Boeing 767. Various aircraft like the Airbus A320 and the Embraer E170 and E190 are used extensively on short-haul flights. The combination of craft make it possible to include ample legroom on the longer flights, as well as provide such amenities as reclining seats, various entertainment options for each seat, and flat beds on the longest flights.

Air Canada offers above average seating on its International Economy Class flights, with seats that are ample and recline for easy comfort. With Executive Class, all passengers enjoy XM Satellite Radio, and a rearranged cabin interior that provides a more relaxing atmosphere.

Additional Information

Passengers that hold Executive First or Executive Class tickets have access to the Maple Leaf Lounge at each airport where the airline maintains these types of facilities. Prestige passengers may also have access to the lounge for a small charge. Annual memberships are also available.