Air Canada Launches New Montreal–Edinburgh Route, Increases Capacity to Europe

Air Canada has just announced its latest new route that will connect Montreal (YUL) and Edinburgh (EDI), as well as capacity increases to several European destinations for Summer 2025. This marks the expansion of Air Canada’s transatlantic network, establishing more non-stop service between Canada and Europe.

This addition represents Air Canada’s first direct link between Quebec and Scotland, providing exciting new opportunities for both tourism and points travelers looking to explore the Scottish capital and beyond.

Air Canada’s New Montreal–Edinburgh Route

As of June 26, 2025, Air Canada will launch its new Montreal–Edinburgh service, which is set to operate four times weekly through to September 7, 2025.

This new route, which complements existing service from Toronto to Edinburgh, has flight times as follows:

• AC936, departing Montreal (YUL) 9:50pm and arriving in Edinburgh (EDI) 9:20am the next day
• AC937, departing Edinburgh (EDI) 11:10am and arriving in Montreal 1:30pm

The eastbound flight, which is blocked at six and a half hours, is set to run on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, while the return westbound flight, which is set to last just over seven hours, runs Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays.

Air Canada will operate the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft on this route, featuring a two-cabin configuration with economy and “premium economy” cabins. Notably, there isn’t a lie-flat seat option on this aircraft, and instead, you’ll have a recliner seat similar to the one pictured below. 

As a reminder, Air Canada markets the cabin as premium economy rather than business class on transatlantic routes, since it’s not the full Signature Class experience with lie-flat seats. 

The flights are loaded in Air Canada’s booking channels and can be booked with cash or Aeroplan points throughout the summer schedule.

Air Canada Increases Capacity to Paris, Rome, and Athens

Beyond the new Montreal–Edinburgh route, Air Canada is beefing up its European presence from its Eastern Canadian hubs for Summer 2025:

• Paris (CDG): Three new flights from Toronto on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with up to 10 total weekly flights from Toronto and up to 14 from Montreal
• Rome (FCO): Up to four additional weekly frequencies until October; up to 12 weekly flights from Toronto and up to 10 from Montreal
• Athens (ATH): Two new flights from Toronto on Tuesdays and Fridays; additional frequencies scheduled until October; up to 10 weekly flights from both Toronto and Montreal

These capacity increases are well-timed with peak European travel season and should offer passengers more options for getting to some of Europe’s most popular destinations.

Booking Air Canada’s New and Boosted Europe Routes with Aeroplan Points

Whenever an airline launches a new route, it’s a great opportunity to search for award space, since it can offer ample availability or lower prices (on routes with dynamic pricing). 

A quick glance through some of the dates shows pricing of around 30,000 Aeroplan points in economy or around 80,000–85,000 Aeroplan points in “premium economy”. 

It’s worth noting that on some dates, routing via Toronto in premium economy tends to price out at around the same cost. 

If this is the case on the dates that you’re searching for, and if you have some eUpgrades available, it’s worth considering routing through Toronto since Air Canada operates a widebody Dreamliner on the Toronto–Edinburgh route with pods in business class. 

Booking in premium economy puts you as close to the top of the eUpgrade waitlist as possible, and if it clears in advance or at the gate, you’ll have a much more comfortable overnight flight. If it doesn’t clear, the premium economy cabin is similar in many ways to what’s offered on the Boeing 737 MAX 8.

If you have your eyes on Paris, Rome, or Athens, be sure to give Air Canada’s website a search, since the increased capacity could result in some award availability towards the lower end of the dynamic range (close to the “Starting at” values in the new Flight Reward Chart).

For cash flights, consider leveraging the Air Canada worldwide companion pass (if you have one available), and be sure to use a credit card that offers travel insurance and a good return on spending.

We’d recommend the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, since you’ll earn 3 Aeroplan points per dollar spent and enjoy a range of premium Air Canada perks.

Conclusion

Air Canada will launch new service from Montreal to Edinburgh this summer, which complements the existing route from Toronto to Edinburgh.

Plus, the airline is boosting capacity to Paris, Rome, and Athens in time for the busy summer travel season.

If you have your eyes set on Europe this summer, be sure to check out the Air Canada website for booking options with cash and Aeroplan points.