Air Canada New Routes to Quito, Latin America, Europe, and Mexico

Air Canada has announced a series of additions to its winter schedule, including increased frequencies and year-round service on select transatlantic routes. The latest updates include the introduction of flights to Quito, Ecuador, expanded winter service across South America, new sun destinations from Calgary, and the transition of Toronto to Manchester and Copenhagen to year-round operations, supported by a new Airbus A321XLR base at Toronto Pearson. These developments follow Air Canada’s recent announcement of the only nonstop service from North America to Sapporo, Japan.

New Route – Quito from Montréal and Toronto

Beginning in early December 2026, Air Canada will add Quito, Ecuador’s capital city, to its global network. The airline will operate three weekly flights from Montréal and one weekly flight from Toronto. All services will be operated by the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, offering passengers a choice of Signature Class with lie-flat seating, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins.

A321XLR  – Toronto to Manchester and Copenhagen

Two of Air Canada’s transatlantic routes from Toronto (YYZ) will transition to year-round service as of October 2026. These routes will be served by Air Canada’s newest aircraft type, the Airbus A321XLR. The A321XLR is the first narrowbody aircraft in Air Canada’s fleet to feature Signature Class lie-flat seating, bringing a widebody-style premium experience to long-range single-aisle operations. The move to year-round service is supported by the establishment of a new A321XLR base at Toronto Pearson International Airport, complementing a previously announced base at Montréal-Trudeau.

New Sun Destinations from Calgary YYC

Air Canada is adding two new nonstop leisure routes from YYC to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, starting December 2026. Both routes will be operated by Air Canada Rouge using Boeing 737 MAX aircraft configured with Premium and Economy cabins. Onboard amenities will include complimentary beer and wine, premium Canadian snacks, and fast, free Wi-Fi for Aeroplan members.

Expanded Operations Across South America

Air Canada is also increasing its presence in South America for the winter season. The airline will introduce earlier seasonal start dates and additional frequencies on routes to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Lima, Peru. These expanded services build on Air Canada’s recently launched Montréal to Santiago route in Chile, which will also see enhanced winter operations.

In Colombia, Air Canada’s service to Bogotá will operate using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, featuring a three-cabin layout with Signature Class, Premium Economy, and Economy.

_______

Air Canada New Route – Vancouver to Sapporo

Jan 21, 2026:

Air Canada announced a new winter seasonal direct service from Vancouver (YVR) to Sapporo (CTS). This new Air Canada route expands the airline’s Japan network beyond Tokyo and Osaka and supports Japan’s push to promote tourism outside major cities. Beginning in December 2026, the airline will operate the only non-stop service linking North America with Sapporo, opening direct access to Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido during the peak winter season.

Leveraging Vancouver’s west coast location, the route will provide the fastest journey between North America and Hokkaido, shaving several hours off itineraries that previously required connections through Tokyo or other Asian hubs. Air Canada already operates year-round non-stop services to Tokyo-Narita (NRT) and Tokyo-Haneda (HND), complemented by summer seasonal flights to Osaka-Kansai (KIX). The new Sapporo route expands that footprint northward and makes Air Canada the carrier offering the most non-stop destinations in Japan from the North American mainland.

The flights will be operated using Air Canada’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner, configured with Signature Class, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins. Earlier in 2025, Air Canada announced an exclusive partnership with Michelin-starred Toronto-based Chef Masaki Hashimoto, bringing Kaiseki cuisine to all Canada-Japan routes in Signature Class.

Air Canada’s Sapporo schedule*:

*Flight times are subject to change

For points travellers, Vancouver to Asia is a sweet spot for Aeroplan redemptions, especially for airline partner redemptions. At the time of writing, I am seeing decent availability on Air Canada’s YVR-CTS direct routes, as well as two-stop routes with partner airlines at a more favourable rate.

YVR-CTS direct AC route

YVR-CTS multi stop partner redemption

Air Canada will be announcing additional details and new destinations for Winter 2026/2027 in the coming weeks.