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Air Canada has launched a new ground transportation option in Montreal, connecting downtown with Montreal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL). The new Air Canada City Shuttle operates between the Palais des congrès de Montreal and YUL in partnership with The Landline Company. The high-frequency motorcoach service is available exclusively to passengers travelling on Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express. There are no intermediate stops, and with 37 departures scheduled daily in each direction, the City Shuttle will function more like a frequent airport connection than a traditional scheduled intercity motorcoach. Service commenced today, July 10, as part of a soft launch, with a broader public launch planned for Monday, July 13.
The price is perhaps the first detail that catches attention: $9 one way, plus applicable taxes. Children under the age of 15 travel free when accompanied by an adult.
Dedicated Bus Lane at YUL – Faster Ride to and from airport
How to Book the Air Canada City Shuttle
The Air Canada City Shuttle can be booked online through Landline’s dedicated Montréal platform. Self-service booking kiosks are also available at the Palais des congrès and at YUL. Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be converted into travel credits or vouchers. However, they are exchangeable, and the ticket itself does not expire.
Passengers can use Landline’s Manage Trip function to move to an earlier or later departure, subject to seat availability and any applicable fare difference. Changes can be made until two minutes before the scheduled departure and within 12 months of the travel date. There is no change fee.
Since the City Shuttle is booked separately from the Air Canada ticket, Air Canada Reservations cannot modify the motorcoach reservation. Any shuttle changes must be made directly through Landline’s Manage Trip system or via the link in the booking confirmation email. For Air Canada customers who allowed at least 95 minutes to connect at YUL, complimentary flight rebooking options may be offered if a motorcoach delay affects the connection, subject to availability.
If a passenger simply misses a booked departure or fails to show up, the reservation is forfeited without a refund. Subject to available space, the passenger may be placed on standby for another shuttle departing later on the same calendar day.
What Are the Air Canada City Shuttle Buses Like?
Each coach is configured with 48 reclining leather seats, and passengers will have access to a power outlet and a tray table at every seat. The motorcoaches are also equipped with an onboard washroom. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted onboard.
Air Canada and Landline Motorcoach
The baggage allowance on the shuttle is also reasonably generous. Passengers can travel with up to two checked bags, one carry-on bag and one small personal item without paying a separate shuttle baggage fee. Each standard checked bag can weigh up to 23 kilograms, or 50 pounds. Oversized and overweight baggage may be accepted subject to available space.
Passengers travelling with a wheelchair or another mobility aid are asked to contact The Landline Company in advance to arrange assistance.
Air Canada City Shuttle: Downtown Montreal to YUL
The downtown terminal for the Air Canada City Shuttle is located at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, 1001 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, with a dedicated waiting area located across from Café Van Houtte. The Palais des congrès sits close to Old Montréal and the downtown business district.
Air Canada recommends arriving at least 10 minutes before the scheduled shuttle departure to allow time for boarding and loading luggage. From downtown, departures run every 15 minutes during the early-morning peak period from 4:45 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Service then generally operates every 30 minutes for the remainder of the day, with 37 trips scheduled daily.
The service also uses a dedicated bus lane and a private airport entrance, which can save up to 25 minutes during peak travel periods compared with vehicles using regular airport roads. That does not necessarily mean the shuttle will always be faster than driving. Traffic conditions around Montréal and YUL can change considerably throughout the day.
Upon arrival at YUL, the shuttle stops at the Departures level, Door 7, immediately adjacent to Air Canada’s check-in desks at Counters 600–634.
Air Canada City Shuttle: YUL to Downtown Montreal
After arriving at YUL, passengers complete the normal arrival process and collect their checked baggage. From baggage claim, passengers proceed upstairs to the Departures level on Level 2 and follow the signs towards Air Canada Check-in Counters 600–634. The shuttle boards curbside outside Door 7.
Passengers who have not purchased a ticket in advance can use the self-service kiosks located between Doors 7 and 8. It is also possible to board at the airport, subject to availability.
From YUL, the City Shuttle operates every 15 minutes during the morning peak period from 5:15 a.m. until 6:45 a.m. Departures then generally operate every 30 minutes until the final service at 10:00 p.m.
There is no airline check-in process when travelling from YUL to downtown. Passengers simply board the motorcoach with their luggage for the direct trip to the Palais des congrès.
Air Canada City Shuttle – What It’s Not
One important detail to note is that the Air Canada City Shuttle is an entirely landside service. Passengers are not checked in at the Palais des congrès, and luggage is not transferred directly to an Air Canada flight. In-person airline check-in is currently not available at the Palais des congrès. The shuttle simply replaces the ground transportation portion of the journey between downtown Montréal and YUL.
Checked baggage travels in the motorcoach’s luggage compartment. Once the shuttle arrives at YUL, passengers will collect their bags from the coach and proceed to the Air Canada check-in counters to complete bag drop.
Not the Air Canada Landline Service at Toronto Pearson
Air Canada’s partnership with The Landline Company is not entirely new in Canada, but the Montréal City Shuttle operates quite differently from the Landline connections available through Toronto Pearson. Air Canada Landline services from Pearson can be booked as part of an Air Canada flight itinerary. The motorcoach segment is effectively included in the passenger’s airline journey and is booked through Air Canada.
The Montréal City Shuttle is a standalone product. The shuttle must be booked separately from the airline ticket through Landline’s Montréal booking platform. The $9 shuttle fare is also paid separately and does not form part of the Air Canada airfare.
The service is, however, restricted to eligible Air Canada passengers. Travellers must be flying on an Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express operated flight. When booking, passengers select their Air Canada flight, and the system suggests a shuttle departure that provides sufficient time to reach YUL. The booking system will enforce a minimum connection time based on Air Canada’s check-in cut-offs at YUL.
Air Canada City Shuttle Montreal YUL – Takeaway
The Air Canada City Shuttle is an excellent addition for AC passengers travelling in/out of YUL. With door-to-door service, dedicated lanes at YUL, departures every 15 to 30 minutes, and 37 scheduled trips in each direction each day, the $9 fare (plus taxes) is unbeatable! The Air Canada City Shuttle is available for booking immediately, with the broader public launch scheduled for July 13.
