Air Canada Announces Five New European Routes for Summer 2026
Air Canada is making a bold statement about its international expansion strategy with the announcement of five new transatlantic routes launching in summer 2026. The carrier’s latest network development underscores its commitment to strengthening connections between North America and Europe while capitalizing on growing demand for convenient transatlantic travel.
The expansion includes three new European destinations from Montreal-Trudeau International Airport: nonstop service to Berlin Airport operating three times weekly and to Nantes Atlantique Airport, also three times per week. From Toronto Pearson, Air Canada will launch service to Ponta Delgada Airport in Portugal’s Azores archipelago, operating three times weekly. Halifax Stanfield will gain its second international destination with new Brussels Airport service, running three times per week. Additionally, Air Canada will resume its seasonal Montreal-Tel Aviv route.
“Air Canada is further expanding its comprehensive transatlantic network to offer customers even more exciting destinations to explore,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. “We are strategically increasing new non-stop routes across Europe to bring convenient access to key destinations, while strengthening economic ties and supporting tourism.”
The route deployment demonstrates Air Canada’s sophisticated fleet strategy. The Montreal-Berlin service will utilize the airline’s newest aircraft, the Airbus A321XLR, featuring premium lie-flat Business Class seating. Flights to Nantes will operate on narrowbody aircraft, while the resumed Tel Aviv service will use Boeing 787 Dreamliner equipment.
Each route targets specific market opportunities. Nantes provides gateway access to France’s Loire Valley region, while the Toronto-Ponta Delgada service reflects strong cultural ties between Canada and Portugal, making it Air Canada’s third Portuguese destination. Brussels serves as a critical European hub and gateway to Africa through Star Alliance partner Brussels Airlines. The Azores connection taps into Portugal’s growing tourism market and positions Air Canada competitively in a key leisure travel segment.
These additions build on Air Canada’s previously announced summer 2026 expansion, which includes new services to Palma de Mallorca and Catania from Montreal, Shanghai and Budapest from Toronto, and year-round Bangkok service from Vancouver. Collectively, these routes position Air Canada to operate North America’s second-largest transatlantic network by destinations.
The expansion reflects broader industry trends as carriers invest in transatlantic capacity to meet post-pandemic demand recovery and capitalize on leisure travel growth. For Halifax in particular, the Brussels addition represents significant strategic growth, adding to existing London-Heathrow service and domestic connectivity to major Canadian cities.
Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764168564000-974