Air Canada Expands Network For Summer 2026

MONTRÉAL – Air Canada announced its international network for Summer 2026 with new destinations taking flight in Europe and Asia. Beginning next year, the airline will launch new routes from Montréal to Catania in Sicily, Italy and, as unveiled yesterday, to Palma de Mallorca, Spain.  From Toronto, Air Canada re-establishes non-stop flights to Shanghai and Budapest, and increases flights to Prague. Air Canada’s popular seasonal Vancouver-Bangkok route will now become year-round, strengthening the airline’s position as the only North American carrier offering direct, non-stop service to the Thai capital.

“Air Canada’s continued international expansion reflects our bold ambitions, and leverages our network reach and scale to capitalize on global travel demand driven by leisure travel trends, growing demand for services to Asia, and cargo development opportunities. Next summer, we will be launching exciting, new services to Sicily and Mallorca from our Montréal trans-Atlantic hub. Air Canada is the first Canadian carrier to offer customers non-stop flights to these sought after Mediterranean destinations, and the only airline operating scheduled service from Canada to Sicily and Mallorca,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, and President, Cargo at Air Canada.

“From Toronto, we are further cementing our global hub with the launch of two celebrated, international routes linking Canada’s largest metropolitan area directly to Shanghai and Budapest, and adding capacity to Prague. Our seasonal Bangkok services from our Vancouver trans-Pacific hub become year-round, solidifying our position as the only airline with non-stop, continual service to Thailand from the North American continent. In all, these strategic additions reinforce Air Canada’s global network as one of the most wide-reaching from North America, connecting our customers to all six inhabited continents,” concluded Mr. Galardo.

Also read → Air Canada unveils Palma de Mallorca as its first new route for Airbus A321XLR starting Summer 2026

“Canadians will enjoy more travel options, greater convenience, and stronger connections to Europe and Asia with Air Canada’s new destinations in 2026. These expanded routes mean easier access to the places people want to go – whether for business, leisure, or to visit family. And as more passengers take flight, they promote trade and tourism, supporting jobs across the country, and helping us grow a stronger Canadian economy,” said the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade.

“Air Canada’s expanded network is more than new destinations – it’s a gateway to stronger trade, investment, and people-to-people ties. Most of Canada’s air cargo travels in the belly of passenger planes, so when we expand passenger routes, we’re also expanding trade routes – moving Canadian goods faster, farther, and more reliably. These new connections to Europe and Asia give Canadian businesses better access to key markets, strengthen our global competitiveness, and build on what was already a record year for Canadian air cargo. Stronger connectivity in the skies means stronger growth on the ground, and ensures Canada remains a leader in the global economy,” said the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, Government of Canada.

Air Canada’s new route schedules*:

*schedules are subject to change

Additional capacity:

Air Canada adds capacity to Montréal service for Summer 2026

Also, Air Canada’s Edinburgh to Montréal service will operate on one of the airline’s brand new A321XLR aircraft when it returns next summer. The route was operated from Scotland’s busiest airport for the first time this summer and will make a return next year when it increases frequency from three to four days per week between June and September.

The airline has selected Edinburgh as one of the first destinations for its new A321XLR fleet – one of the most modern and efficient aircraft on the market.

Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive at Edinburgh Airport said: “It’s great news to hear that Air Canada will be introducing one of its brand-new A321XLRs to Edinburgh Airport next summer – and we’ll be ready to give it a fantastic Scottish welcome! “This follows a strong performance on the Montréal route, which was only introduced this summer and is a clear sign of Air Canada’s growing presence at Edinburgh Airport and in Scotland, offering even more connectivity for both leisure and business travellers.

“Our summer season is still ongoing but it’s brilliant to already be looking ahead to exciting developments for summer 2026. It’s another vote of confidence in the strength of the Edinburgh market and the enduring appeal of our capital city as a gateway to Scotland.”

The article Air Canada expands network for Summer 2026 first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.