Air Canada Launches New US Routes

Air Canada has announced the upcoming launch of three new routes to the United States in 2023. Canada’s largest airline will also restore service to previously suspended routes, and increase frequency to many destinations in the United States.

The new routes will run between Toronto and New York (JFK), Toronto and Sacramento (SMF), and Montreal and New York (JFK). Notably, the two routes to New York (JFK) will make connections to other Star Alliance carriers departing from New York (JFK) much easier.

Air Canada’s New JFK Routes

Beginning on March 26, 2023, Air Canada will operate twice-daily service from Toronto to New York (JFK) and once-daily service from Montreal to New York (JFK).

With the addition of routes to New York (JFK), Air Canada will serve all three major airports in the New York area. Passengers in Montreal and Toronto can choose flights to all three airports, while travellers coming from Calgary, Halifax, Ottawa, or Vancouver can enjoy direct flights to Newark (EWR) only.

The flight times from Toronto are as follows:

• AC8553 New York (JFK) to Toronto (YYZ), departing 10:00am and arriving 11:45am
• AC8554 Toronto (YYZ) to New York (JFK), departing 11:00am and arriving 12:36pm 
• AC8555 New York (JFK) to Toronto (YYZ), departing 1:25pm and arriving 3:10pm
• AC8556 Toronto (YYZ) to New York (JFK), departing 8:30pm and arriving 10:06pm

The flight times from Montreal are as follows:

• AC8898 Montreal (YUL) to New York (JFK), departing 6:25pm and arriving 8:00pm
• AC8899 New York (JFK) to Montreal (YUL), departing 12:45pm and arriving 2:20pm

All routes will be operated by Air Canada Jazz with a two-cabin Embraer E175 aircraft. 

The flights have been loaded on Air Canada’s website, and passengers can book flights throughout the schedule.

Air Canada’s New Sacramento Route

Beginning on June 1, 2023, Air Canada will operate year-round flights between Toronto and Sacramento, California. The westbound flights from Toronto will depart on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, while the eastbound flights from Sacramento will depart on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

The flight times are as follows:

• AC758 Sacramento (SMF) to Toronto (YYZ), departing 9:25am and arriving 5:15pm
• AC759 Toronto (YYZ) to Sacramento (SMF), departing 6:30pm and arriving 8:55pm

Air Canada will operate the Airbus A220-300 aircraft on this route, with business class and economy class cabins. The economy class cabin has a 2-3 configuration, while the business class cabin has a 2-2 configuration.

Air Canada Restores Suspended US Routes

Air Canada has also restored a number of routes between Canada and the US that had previously been suspended. 

The following routes from Calgary and Halifax will see a resumption of service over the coming weeks and months:

• Calgary (YYC) – Los Angeles (LAX): daily as of May 1, 2023
• Halifax (YHZ) – Newark (EWR): daily as of December 16, 2022

From Montreal, the following routes will see a resumption of service between now and May 2023:

• Tampa (TPA): thrice weekly as of December 16, 2022
• Nashville (BNA): thrice weekly as of May 1, 2023
• Philadelphia (PHL): twice daily as of May 1, 2023
• Pittsburgh (PIT): daily as of May 1, 2023
• Seattle (SEA): daily as of May 15, 2023

From Toronto, the following routes will see a resumption of service between May and June 2023:

• Milwaukee (MKE): daily as of May 1, 2023
• Hartford (BDL): twice daily as of June 1, 2023
• Salt Lake City (SLC): thrice weekly as of June 1, 2023
• Kansas City (MCI): daily as of June 17, 2023
• Portland (PDX): daily as of June 17, 2023

And the following routes from Vancouver will see a resumption of service between now and June 2023:

• Miami (MIA): thrice weekly as of December 17, 2022
• Houston (IAH): daily as of December 17, 2022
• Austin (AUS): thrice weekly as of May 1, 2023
• Anchorage (ANC): daily as of May 1, 2023
• Boston (BOS): daily as of June 17, 2023

Air Canada Increases Frequency on US Routes

Air Canada will increase the frequency of flights on many existing routes between Canada and the United States for the Summer 2023 travel season. The vast majority of the frequency increases come for flights departing from its Toronto and Vancouver hubs. 

From Montreal, the following route will increase in frequency in 2023:

• San Diego (SAN): from thrice-weekly to daily

From Toronto, the following routes will increase in frequency in 2023:

• Baltimore (BWI): from twice daily to three per day
• Indianapolis (IND): from twice daily to three per day
• Minneapolis (MSP): from thrice daily to four per day
• Philadelphia (PHL): from thrice daily to four per day
• Pittsburgh (PIT): from thrice daily to four per day
• San Diego (SAN): from once daily to two per day
• San Francisco (SFO) from four daily to five per day
• Seattle (SEA): from once daily to two per day
• Washington DC (DCA): from twice daily to four per day

And from Vancouver, the following US routes will increase in frequency in 2023:

• Newark (EWR): from once daily to two per day
• San Diego (SAN): from twice daily to three per day
• San Francisco (SFO): from four daily to five per day
• Seattle (SEA): from five daily to six per day

Easier Connections to Star Alliance Flights from JFK

The new routes from Toronto and Montreal to New York (JFK) will be very useful for anyone connecting to another Star Alliance flight from JFK. These new routes are particularly useful for passengers who redeem Aeroplan points for long-haul flights that depart from New York (JFK) rather than Newark (EWR).

Previously, passengers would need to schedule in several hours of connecting time to get from either Newark (EWR) or New York (LGA) to New York (JFK). While LaGuardia is much closer to JFK than Newark, it’s still quite a hassle to pick up your bags and make your way across the city. 

Should there be any disruptions to your travel plans, what was previously a lengthy connection could result in either a missed flight or added stress to your journey. Once Air Canada launches the service to JFK, this will no longer be the case.

Many of Aeroplan’s partner airlines operate flights from JFK to destinations throughout the world. Oftentimes, it’s easier to find availability from a US hub than from a Canadian airport, so routing through the United States provides access to better award availability.

You might also have an easier time finding multiple business class award seats from a major US airport than from a Canadian hub. Getting from Newark or LaGuardia to JFK with a family could be a major hassle, but making a connection at the same airport could be much more feasible.

In any event, it’ll be easier for passengers travelling on Aeroplan redemptions to plan their trips, as they can soon choose from either Newark or New York (JFK) without having to worry about moving across the city.

Conclusion

Air Canada will begin service on three new US routes in 2023. The airline will fly from Toronto and Montreal to New York (JFK), as well as from Toronto to Sacramento.

The addition of New York (JFK) will make connections to other Star Alliance and partner airlines much easier, as passengers will no longer have to trek across the city from Newark or LaGuardia.

Air Canada is also resuming service on many suspended routes, as well as increasing the frequency of flights between major hubs.