Easy access to the US, a fleet of new aircraft, new premium cabins, a revamped loyalty program and Melbourne on the horizon, is Air Canada International Sales managing director Rocky Lo’s grand plan to put the carrier higher on the agenda for Australian travel advisors.
In Australia for a whistlestop visit, alongside Air Canada’s senior director, Sales Asia Pacific, Kiyo Weiss, Lo is also here to celebrate 10 years of the distinctive maple leaf tailfin landing on the tarmac of its Brisbane-Vancouver route.
The route has carried 1.2 million Australian passengers over that period, with 50 per cent travelling beyond Vancouver, whether it’s the fly-cruise market or a younger demographic hitting the slopes of Whistler.
During a briefing at its Sydney CBD office, Lo and Weiss are both keen to emphasise the seamless connections to Vancouver, plus the ability to avoid stricter US customs controls and being able to offer a host of direct flights to major US destinations.
It’s visibility as a major north America carrier, albeit supported by a much smaller population, has been helped by its Star Alliance membership and the title of Best Airline in North America at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline awards will hopefully help it gain further traction.
Despite challenges from Qantas’ Project Sunrise and its proposed direct flights to New York, Air Canada leverages its Vancouver hub for efficient and easy connections to many US destinations beyond Vancouver.
“You don’t feel that stress compared to some of other US airports that you transit,” he says. While Qantas will eventually fly direct from Australia’s East Coast to New York, many passengers will still have to transit.
Unlike landing in the US where you have to recover your luggage and go through customs before an onward flight, Air Canada passengers can land in Vancouver, enjoy the transit lounge and then head to their secondary airport, such as San Diego, Orange County or Portland, with luggage checked all the way through.
The company also notes a significant increase in premium cabin bookings post-pandemic.
“After COVID… they want to travel comfortably, because you never know when things will happen, and you want to make sure that when you make that trip on your bucket list, you want to make sure that you travel comfortably, especially coming to Australia all the way to Canada.”
Lo said Vancouver Airport (YVR) has also gone to great lengths to make any transit as easy as possible with up-to-date technology, an expansive atrium, shopping facility, restaurants and lounges.
If you are turning left…
Talking of comfortable, among Air Canada’s fleet are its 787-8, which seats around 250 people, and then the 298 passenger 787-9.
The biggest difference between the aircraft is their business class cabins, Lo says. While the smaller 787 offers only 19 business class seats, the larger aircraft features 30 seats, albeit 29 for passengers, with one set aside for one of the four pilots on the flight.
“There is no jet lag on business class,” he jokes. “My understanding is that we are still one of the shortest flying distances and flying durations if a customer wants to go to New York, which is one of the popular (onward) destinations when they fly through Vancouver.
“I think we’re seeing more and more of those customers now, especially with what is going on,” he says.
“We often say it’s a hidden secret.”
Melbourne on the far horizon
As for the new A350-1000s, Air Canada has eight of the ultra-long-range aircraft on order, with rights to purchase another eight and that could put Melbourne back within reach.
It’s Melbourne service began back in December 2017 but was halted during Covid and a lack of return is because of a lack of suitable aircraft, rather than lack of interest.
While Air Canada’s existing fleet continues to service Sydney and Brisbane, Melbourne is that currently that step too far and while A350-1000s aircraft deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2030, Lo would not confirm if Melbourne would be a destination even though the aircraft is capable of flying within that range.
But from a long-term perspective, under Air Canada’s New Frontier plan, Melbourne is on the agenda, with several few factors to consider before it is confirmed.
But that could include in the offering more premium seating, including its Signature Suite and Premium Economy.
Until then, Air Canada relies on its partnership with Virgin Australia to funnel passengers from Melbourne into Sydney and Brisbane.
“A 15-hour route is not as simple as a two-hour flight, right?”
Adds Weiss: “We have a very good relationship with Virgin Australia, and from Melbourne to Sydney to Brisbane, we take advantage of this program, (with) the code share and the frequent flyer program agreements. So, for now, until the A350-1000s comes into play, we’ll continue to have a good relationship with them.”
Hot shopping
Resplendent in his silver jacket and matching jewellery, Lo says apart from transiting, fly-cruise and skiing, shopping in Vancouver is another attraction for Australians.
Located just 3 minutes and two rail stops from Vancouver International Airport, the McArthur Glen outlet features over 80 designer brands.
And given the AUD vs CAD, plus a free rail ride to the outlet and with a couple of hours of stopover, fashionistas can stock up.
“You can arrive (from Sydney or Brisbane) in the morning, and if you take the last flight to LA, which is 7pm, you have a whole day that you can spend in Vancouver without overnighting,” he says.
“You can go shopping and eating before you go to USA, and your luggage is all booked through to your final destination,” Lo says.
“So you only have to worry about what you bought at the shop and carry those on.”
Baggage in tow, Lo and Weiss must head north to celebrate the 10th anniversary of BNE-YVR.
