Air Canada is set to become the first Canadian airline to fly to the Philippines.

Today, the airline has announced it will launch year-round, non-stop service between Vancouver (YVR) and Manila (MNL) beginning in Spring 2025.

Air Canada Launches New Vancouver–Manila Route

Air Canada has announced it will launch year-round, non-stop service between Vancouver (YVR) and Manila (MNL) starting in Spring 2025. It is no doubt welcome news for Canadians with family in the Philippines and Philippine Canadians looking to travel back to Manila.

When the new route commences, Air Canada will become the only Canadian airline to fly to the Philippines. It will also become Air Canada’s third destination in South East Asia launched in the last two years.

Beginning April 2, 2025, Air Canada will fly from Vancouver (YVR) to Manila (MNL) three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The Manila (MNL) to Vancouver (YVR) leg will operate Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays beginning April 3, 2025.

Here’s a look at the flight times:

• AC17 Vancouver (YVR) to Manila (MNL), departing 1:55am and arriving 6:20am the following day
• AC18 Manila (MNL) to Vancouver (YVR), departing 9:25am and arriving 6:20am

Beginning May 1, 2025 the route will increase to four-times weekly with flights from Vancouver (YVR) to Manila (MNL) operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

The Manila to Vancouver route will operate Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays beginning May 2, 2025.

The 10,568-kilometre (5,706 miles) flight is blocked at 13 hours 25 minutes westbound and 11 hours 55 minutes eastbound.

It will be operated by Air Canada’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner featuring three cabins of service including Signature Class with lie-flat seats, premium economy, and economy.

The newly added route is already showing up on the Air Canada website for purchase with cash or Aeroplan points.

The Vancouver to Manila route will become Air Canada’s 12th destination in its transpacific network from Vancouver, which includes Japan (Osaka and Tokyo), South Korea (Seoul), China (Beijing and Shanghai), Hong Kong, Thailand (Bangkok), Singapore, Australia (Brisbane and Sydney), and New Zealand (Auckland).

Executive Vice President, of Revenue and Network Planning, and President, Cargo at Air Canada, Mark Galardo says:

We are thrilled to add Manila to our global network with new, year-round, non-stop service from Vancouver, Air Canada’s Pacific gateway hub. We continue to pursue our international network strategy of expanding to large, fast-growing markets currently unserved directly by Air Canada. The Philippines represents an important market with longstanding family ties between our countries, growing business connections, and tourism opportunities. With Vancouver’s extensive domestic and transborder network designed to connect seamlessly with international flights, we’re making travel between North America and the Philippines more convenient for both leisure and business travelers. We look forward to welcoming our customers onboard next spring.

B.C. Premier David Eby says the new direct route between Vancouver and Manila will make it faster and easier for people to travel between the two cities, including for business and trade opportunities.

Eby adds “B.C. is home to a significant Filipino Canadian community who make incredible contributions to our province and want to stay connected to friends and family overseas. This will strengthen cultural and economic ties between Canada and the Philippines.”

According to Statistics Canada, Filipino Canadians are the largest group of Southeast Asian Canadians. And as of the 2021 census, there were more than 950 thousand Filipino Canadians living in the country.

Conclusion

Air Canada is set to become the first Canadian airline to fly to the Philippines.

The airline has announced it will launch year-round, non-stop service between Vancouver (YVR) and Manila (MNL) with three times weekly flights beginning April 2, 2025. The airline will increase the number of weekly flights to four beginning May 2, 2025.

The newly added route is already showing up for purchase with cash or Aeroplan points on the Air Canada website.