Possible New Long Haul Air Canada Routes in the next 5 years
#1
Possible New Long Haul Air Canada Routes in the next 5 years
What new long haul AC routes may we see in the next 5 or so years? AC currently operates 6 767, 25 777, 35 787 (+2 on order), and 8 A330 (+4 on order), which is a fairly large and very capable long haul fleet.
Could we see any of the following routes?
YYC - HKG
YYC - PVG
YYC - PEK
YVR - KUL
YVR - CGK
YVR - SIN (either AC operated or SQ operated & AC codeshare)
YUL - MXP (If Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo win the 2026 Olympic Bid, this route could reasonably come to fruition)
If AC decided to purchase the A350-900 ULR they would be able to operate routes like YYZ-SYD and YVR-CPT (even if it’s only twice a week or something) which could be quite successful.
None of the routes mentioned have any nonstop flight, meaning the addition of one would be beneficial for AC and *A. The 3 YYC to China routes would be very high demand, and the routes from YVR into Southeast Asia could prove quite successful with lots of Canadian tourists opting for trips to the region.
Do you think any of these routes are possible? Any other long haul routes you think are more likely/needed beforehand?
Could we see any of the following routes?
YYC - HKG
YYC - PVG
YYC - PEK
YVR - KUL
YVR - CGK
YVR - SIN (either AC operated or SQ operated & AC codeshare)
YUL - MXP (If Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo win the 2026 Olympic Bid, this route could reasonably come to fruition)
If AC decided to purchase the A350-900 ULR they would be able to operate routes like YYZ-SYD and YVR-CPT (even if it’s only twice a week or something) which could be quite successful.
None of the routes mentioned have any nonstop flight, meaning the addition of one would be beneficial for AC and *A. The 3 YYC to China routes would be very high demand, and the routes from YVR into Southeast Asia could prove quite successful with lots of Canadian tourists opting for trips to the region.
Do you think any of these routes are possible? Any other long haul routes you think are more likely/needed beforehand?
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2014
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Posts: 14,842
What new long haul AC routes may we see in the next 5 or so years? AC currently operates 6 767, 25 777, 35 787 (+2 on order), and 8 A330 (+4 on order), which is a fairly large and very capable long haul fleet.
Could we see any of the following routes?
YYC - HKG
YYC - PVG
YYC - PEK
YVR - KUL
YVR - CGK
YVR - SIN (either AC operated or SQ operated & AC codeshare)
YUL - MXP (If Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo win the 2026 Olympic Bid, this route could reasonably come to fruition)
If AC decided to purchase the A350-900 ULR they would be able to operate routes like YYZ-SYD and YVR-CPT (even if it’s only twice a week or something) which could be quite successful.
None of the routes mentioned have any nonstop flight, meaning the addition of one would be beneficial for AC and *A. The 3 YYC to China routes would be very high demand, and the routes from YVR into Southeast Asia could prove quite successful with lots of Canadian tourists opting for trips to the region.
Do you think any of these routes are possible? Any other long haul routes you think are more likely/needed beforehand?
Could we see any of the following routes?
YYC - HKG
YYC - PVG
YYC - PEK
YVR - KUL
YVR - CGK
YVR - SIN (either AC operated or SQ operated & AC codeshare)
YUL - MXP (If Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo win the 2026 Olympic Bid, this route could reasonably come to fruition)
If AC decided to purchase the A350-900 ULR they would be able to operate routes like YYZ-SYD and YVR-CPT (even if it’s only twice a week or something) which could be quite successful.
None of the routes mentioned have any nonstop flight, meaning the addition of one would be beneficial for AC and *A. The 3 YYC to China routes would be very high demand, and the routes from YVR into Southeast Asia could prove quite successful with lots of Canadian tourists opting for trips to the region.
Do you think any of these routes are possible? Any other long haul routes you think are more likely/needed beforehand?
From my understanding, AC wants SIN and BKK for the cargo, especially SIN. All those ships in the Straits, all that cargo...
Tourists are not big money-makers IMHO. That's partly what rouge is for.
Also, some very interesting discussion right now on the UA forum on the SIN routes as operated by UA and SQ. (because UA cancelled their LAX-SIN, added a second SFO-SIN and currently in the air, the new SQ22 A359-ULR, enroute from SIN-EWR). Fascinating discussion on who the customers are, what industries, corporate fares vs "rack rates" and who partners with whom. I've met some Canadian biz pax who fly SQ SFO-SIN and it is very interesting to hear why they do that route and their opinion of SQ compared to an AC offering from YVR.
AC is not buying A359s when they spent all that money building their fleet with the B788s and B789s. IMHO.
Anyway, you asked some interesting questions. Thanks.
EDIT to Add: There are people on this forum who know significantly more than me and will likely have different opinions. Makes for great fun at parties.

#3
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,124
YVR SIN is the only new SE Asia route I see happening with any certainty. Business traffic and cargo are both there unlike the developing world capitals (CGK, KUL, MNL, etc.)
Any new long haul out of YYC is a non-starter unless market conditions change significantly, IMO.
I could also see a seasonal YVR AKL for the tourist rush on Rouge, but they don't have an aircraft that could operate it.
Any new long haul out of YYC is a non-starter unless market conditions change significantly, IMO.
I could also see a seasonal YVR AKL for the tourist rush on Rouge, but they don't have an aircraft that could operate it.
#4
Also, some very interesting discussion right now on the UA forum on the SIN routes as operated by UA and SQ. (because UA cancelled their LAX-SIN, added a second SFO-SIN and currently in the air, the new SQ22 A359-ULR, enroute from SIN-EWR). Fascinating discussion on who the customers are, what industries, corporate fares vs "rack rates" and who partners with whom. I've met some Canadian biz pax who fly SQ SFO-SIN and it is very interesting to hear why they do that route and their opinion of SQ compared to an AC offering from YVR.
ANZ flies YVR to AKL and they are *A so I can't see AC also taking that route, although a seasonal double up (where both ANZ and AC do the route) could make sense.
Last edited by MicSanToro; Oct 11, 18 at 9:49 pm Reason: Added an additional reply to another commenter
#5
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
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Posts: 3,284
#6
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC, AA
Posts: 344
There isn't a sustainable route between CGK or KUL to anywhere in the United States, I can't imagine there could be one to YVR.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: YXE
Posts: 2,871
Yvr-eze, yvr-scl? Yvr-gru?
I'm thinking a combination of mining worker/manager/executive traffic from Vancouver, and of course, for the onwards connections to Asia. Which are still more diverse at YVR than at YYZ. And USA avoidance, of course, which probably will grow as a desire going forward.
I'm thinking a combination of mining worker/manager/executive traffic from Vancouver, and of course, for the onwards connections to Asia. Which are still more diverse at YVR than at YYZ. And USA avoidance, of course, which probably will grow as a desire going forward.
Last edited by pitz; Oct 11, 18 at 10:47 pm
#8
Yes, please. I mean, both times I've been to Santiago I've flown out of YYZ as it's my home airport and the only place AC flies to SCL from, but I think a YVR-SCL route would be good.
Last edited by MicSanToro; Oct 11, 18 at 11:18 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: Former AC*E, WorldPerks, Air Miles
Posts: 1,269
We can dream about another Asia flight ex-YYC from AC, but right now I'd settle for maintaining YYC-NRT even seasonally; a winter return would be fantastic. AC has rapidly expanded for the past several years and has only cut, not expanded international service from YYC. Instead the big winner has been YUL. They have had lots of opportunity and just don't seem to be investing - everything is going out of YVR/YYZ/YUL.
YYC-PEK is serviced by HU and I'd say PVG/HKG is more likely for WS once they decide which new markets they want and can get slots for. So, I wish - but I'll be surprised if it happens.
YYC-PEK is serviced by HU and I'd say PVG/HKG is more likely for WS once they decide which new markets they want and can get slots for. So, I wish - but I'll be surprised if it happens.
#10
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YHZ/YQM
Programs: none
Posts: 1,135
How about YUL-DSS? Two large French speaking centres... Yeah, I know, it is wishful thinking.
#11
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Calgary
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Posts: 547
I probably don't have a clue what I'm talking about, but I would think that running a direct flight between two large population centres (Kuala Lumpur is 7.2 million, Jakarta is 30.2 million [more than twice that of Bangkok which is 14 million]) and Vancouver (2.5 million), even if it's only once weekly, when there is not a single competitor on the route, would be a financially smart decision for an airline. If AC ran the only direct route between KUL and a North American airport and CGK and a North American airport, I would think those flights would be full.
#12
Join Date: May 2004
Location: yyz
Programs: AC*SE 1MM. a bunch of hotel programs.
Posts: 1,485
i was on one of the last SQ flights from YVR-SIN (which used to stop over in ICN) many years ago. they werent making money on that route. the 787/A350 might change some of the economics. BKK is a large tourist market, unlike CGK/KUL regardless of population. I see a lot of Canadian mining people on CGK flights but doubt there is enough demand for a direct flight.
#13
Formerly known as newbie elite
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: AE, BA, MR, Fairmont Plat (RIP), Accor Plat
Posts: 1,963
Would love to see more South America routes out of YUL, would most probably be Rouge I imagine.
#14
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: air miles
Posts: 139
I cant see ac buying the A350 just to fill a couple potential routes. What if the routes flop, then you are stuck with the aircraft. I dont think there is any market filled by the 350 that cant also be filled with a variant of the 777 which ac already operates a bunch of these craft.
#15
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,066
Originally Posted by 24left
From my understanding, AC wants SIN and BKK for the cargo, especially SIN.
Originally Posted by eigenvector
YVR SIN is the only new SE Asia route I see happening with any certainty.
Originally Posted by pitz
Yvr-eze, yvr-scl? Yvr-gru?
Originally Posted by MicSanToro
ANZ flies YVR to AKL and they are *A so I can't see AC also taking that route, although a seasonal double up (where both ANZ and AC do the route) could make sense.
Originally Posted by YXUFlyboy
AC has rapidly expanded for the past several years and has only cut, not expanded international service from YYC.
Originally Posted by YYC009
A full flight is not always a profitable flight. Otherwise a YVR-MNL would be a shoe-in.
Originally Posted by karachi
i was on one of the last SQ flights from YVR-SIN (which used to stop over in ICN) many years ago. they werent making money on that route.
Whatever payload UA can carry in the belly of their 789 to/from SFO, AC can carry 400nm worth of fuel more.