Air Canada celebrates 10 years of its Brisbane-Vancouver connection today, with the service carrying more than 1.2 million passengers since its inaugural flight, helping establish Vancouver International Airport (YVR) as a key North American gateway for Australian travellers.
The addition of Brisbane to Air Canada’s international network in June 2016 introduced what remains the only non-stop service between Queensland and Canada.
In launching the service, Air Canada made it easier for the region’s leisure travellers to explore Canada’s spectacular year-round tourism attractions, while also helping facilitate stronger trade links between two countries that share major industries such as mining and agriculture.
Air Canada’s managing director – International Sales, Rocky Lo in Australia for the event, said that Queenslanders immediately seized the opportunity to explore British Columbia’s summer and winter playgrounds.
“The frequency of our Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flights quickly increased to meet demand and Brisbane-Vancouver established itself as one of Air Canada’s most popular routes,” Lo said. “Since then, Brisbane has also enjoyed some of the most in-demand premium cabins – both Signature Class and Premium Economy – across our global network.”
Air Canada’s Rocky Lo sets high expectations for Australian travellers
Lo said Queenslanders also embraced Air Canada’s Pacific hub as an alternative gateway to North America.
“Over the past 10 years more than 50 per cent of passengers have continued on beyond Vancouver to points across Canada and the United States,” he said. “That’s not surprising given we offer our passengers seamless, same-terminal transfers at YVR, and our Brisbane-Vancouver services have always been timed to optimise connectivity to our extensive North American network.
“At the same time, by enabling Air Canada passengers to quickly pre-clear US Customs and Border Protection at YVR, our Brisbane service introduced one of the fastest and most efficient ways for Queenslanders to reach popular US destinations, including New York and Seattle.”
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the Brisbane-Vancouver flights have delivered benefits on both sides of the network.
“For a decade, this route has brought Queensland and Canada closer together and opened even greater access across North America,” de Graaf said.
“The strength of the service is connectivity on both sides of the Pacific, with Vancouver linking to more than 100 onward destinations, and Brisbane Airport offering arriving travellers Australia’s most connected domestic airport network.
“Together, we’ve built an airbridge that connects families, fuels tourism, and strengthens trade and business ties between Queensland and Canada.”
To celebrate the 10-year milestone, Air Canada and Brisbane Airport Corporation held a series of events in the Queensland capital this week.
These included a special anniversary lunch for the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce and a ‘Show and Go’ evening celebration to thank local travel agency partners, two of whom won tickets to travel today from Brisbane to Vancouver on the official 10th anniversary flight.
Air Canada’s B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft feature 30 Signature Class lie-flat seat suites, 21 Premium Economy and 247 Economy Class seats. All Air Canada flights provide for accumulation and redemption of Aeroplan Points, and for eligible customers, priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounge access, priority boarding and other benefits.
