Air Canada Increases Capacity to Destinations in Asia

Air Canada has announced an increase in capacity for flights to Asia from its three primary hubs, beginning in December 2023.

With the boost to capacity, some seasonal routes will be extended, popular routes will have an upgauged aircraft with more seats available, and other routes will see an overall increase in service.

Air Canada Increases Capacity from Vancouver to Asia

Air Canada will make a notable increase in frequency from its West Coast hub in Vancouver (YVR) to many destinations throughout Asia.

The following routes departing from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) will see an increase in service, beginning in December 2023 and extending through 2024:

• Bangkok (BKK): Extended winter seasonal service from December 1, 2023–May 5, 2024, with daily flights from January 8–February 28, 2024, and four weekly flights at other times
• Hong Kong (HKG): 11 weekly flights from December 13, 2023–February 29, 2024, dropping to 10 weekly flights from March 1–October 26, 2024
• Osaka (KIX): Thrice-weekly seasonal flights beginning earlier on May 1, 2024, increasing to four-times weekly as of June 17, 2024
• Seoul (ICN): Daily flights upgauged from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to Boeing 777-300ER for summer schedule
• Shanghai (PVG): Four weekly flights from December 1, 2023–March 30, 2024 with upgauged 777-300ER aircraft, and four weekly flights on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at other times
• Singapore (SIN): Four weekly flights beginning on April 3, 2024
• Tokyo Narita (NRT): Daily flights upgauged from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to Boeing 777-300ER through to April 30, 2024

Air Canada uses two configurations of the Boeing 777-300ER. One has a total of 400 seats (40 business class, 24 premium economy, and 336 economy), and the other has 450 (28 business class, 24 premium economy, and 398 economy).

By contrast, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner offers a single configuration with 298 seats available (30 business class, 21 premium economy, and 247 economy).

Air Canada Increases Capacity from Toronto & Montreal to Asia

While Air Canada’s primary hub for flights to Asia is in Vancouver, the airline also flies to a handful of Asian destinations from its two largest hubs in Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL). 

From both Toronto and Montreal to Tokyo Narita (NRT), Air Canada will upgauge the aircraft on its daily flights to a Boeing 777-300ER for the full summer season.

Furthermore, from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to Tokyo Haneda (HND), the airline will operate a Boeing 777-300ER throughout the full winter season, and will use a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at other times.

Between Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Seoul (ICN), Air Canada will operate daily flights with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Air Canada Boosts Capacity to Entire Asian Network

With the upcoming increase in capacity, Air Canada is bolstering its service offering to its entire Asian network of destinations, excluding India. 

The lion’s share of Air Canada’s flights to Asia operate out of Vancouver (YVR), with seven destinations available throughout 2024. 

It’s worth noting that flights to Hong Kong (HKG) are increasing from the roughly daily service that’s been in effect since April 2023, when Hong Kong removed the last of its pandemic-related restrictions, to 10–11 weekly flights, beginning in December 2023. 

Likewise, since China removed the last of its restrictions in April 2023, Air Canada has operated 16–18 flights per month, according to data from Cirium. Air Canada will continue to operate with the same frequency; however, the aircraft used for the busy winter travel season will have more seats available per flight.

The other most notable development from this announcement is that winter capacity to Japan is increasing by 96% compared to last year. 

From Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, Air Canada is upgauging the aircraft operating to Japan to a Boeing 777-300ER.

From Vancouver to Tokyo Narita (NRT), as well as from Toronto to Tokyo Haneda (HND), the larger aircraft will be used over the winter and early spring schedules, and from Toronto and Montreal to Tokyo Narita (NRT), it’ll be used over the full summer season.

Conclusion

Air Canada has announced an increase in capacity to its entire network in Asia from its three primary hubs.

Many routes will see an upgauged aircraft, which will offer a greater amount of seats per flight. Seasonal routes are seeing an extended window of service, and key routes are seeing an increase to the number of weekly flights.

The flights are loaded on Air Canada’s website, and can be booked throughout the schedule.