The Big Reveal After the Clues: Airline Announces the Largest International Expansion in Its History

After a compelling promotional campaign, Air Canada announced a significant expansion of its international flight network for Summer 2027, introducing five new international destinations, seven new routes, and increasing frequencies in key markets.

From Vancouver, the company will operate year-round flights to Guangzhou, China, its third destination in mainland China. Flights will begin on May 4, 2027, and run three times a week using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. These flights will connect via Vancouver to other North American destinations.

From Toronto, Air Canada will launch seasonal flights to Oslo, Norway; Shannon, Ireland; and Nice, France. The Oslo flights begin on June 2, 2027, operating four times a week with Airbus A321XLR aircraft. The Shannon route starts on June 10, operating three times a week with the same aircraft.

Oslo, Norway. Photo: Air Canada

The new Toronto to Nice service launches on June 16, operating twice weekly with Airbus A330-300 aircraft. With existing flights from Montreal, the new service will offer daily flights for travelers heading to the French destination during the summer season.

Additionally, the company will restore the Daytripper service between Toronto and London Heathrow, increase the Toronto to Shanghai frequency to daily service, and operate the new route to Guatemala City year-round, starting December 2026.

Shannon, Ireland. Photo: Air Canada

From Montreal, Air Canada will launch flights to Basel, Switzerland, and Dubrovnik, Croatia. The Basel route starts on June 16, 2027, operating four times a week with Airbus A321XLR aircraft. The Dubrovnik route begins on May 11, operating three times a week with Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Furthermore, the company plans to make flights from Montreal to Tenerife, Lima, and Guatemala City operate year-round.

Dubrovnik, Croatia. Photo: Air Canada

According to Air Canada, in Summer 2027 the airline will operate over 125 international routes, offering up to 169,000 weekly seats from Canada to more than 85 international destinations in Europe, Asia, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. This represents an increase of more than 8% in available seat-kilometers in these regions compared to Summer 2026.

The network expansion is part of the airline's growth plan, which is expected to create over 1,500 additional direct jobs by 2028 and increase its contribution to the Canadian GDP by more than 7 billion dollars annually.

Air Canada aircraft. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK

Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, and President, Cargo: "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. As Canada’s flag carrier, we are further investing to better connect and position our country as an important intersection of major international demand flows under our New Frontiers strategy.

From the expansive trade hub in the Pearl River Delta to the relaxing Adriatic coastline, each of our five new destinations and many schedule enhancements support commerce and tourism and create exciting new opportunities for people to explore the world,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, and President, Cargo at Air Canada."