VANCOUVER — Air Canada’s Vancouver hub expansion continues with plans for new 787 Dreamliner service between Vancouver and Delhi, featuring new international product in a three-cabin configuration.
Flights are scheduled to start Oct. 20 in time for Diwali festivities. The seasonal, three-times weekly flights complement the carrier’s Toronto-Delhi nonstop service launched last fall. To promote the new route Air Canada is offering introductory fares from $999 round trip, all-in. Tickets are now available for purchase.
“Customer response to our Toronto-Delhi service has been extremely positive, and with this new seasonal Vancouver route, we are strategically increasing our presence in the important Asia-Pacific market in time for Diwali festival celebrations,” said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. “Our nonstop Dreamliner flights from our Vancouver hub will also offer the shortest elapsed flying time from Calgary, Edmonton, Seattle, Portland and Los Angeles to Delhi.
The operating economics of the Dreamliner together with the efforts of the Vancouver Airport Authority which has maintained airport operating costs at levels among the lowest in Canada, have enabled Air Canada to grow its Vancouver hub, he added. “Together with our extensive western Canada domestic and western U.S. transborder network combined with the seamless connection experience through YVR’s U.S. in-transit pre-clearance facilities, position YVR to be the preferred gateway hub for trans-Pacific travel to and from North America.”
Flights will operate three-times-weekly from Oct. 20, 2016 to April 8, 2017 with Air Canada’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft featuring 30 International Business Class lie-flat pod suites, 21 Premium Economy and 247 Economy Class seats with upgraded inflight entertainment at every seat throughout the aircraft.
Flight AC72 will depart Vancouver at 9:40 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving at 1:20 a.m. (+ two days). On the return leg, flight AC73 will depart Dehi at 6:30 a.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving in Vancouver at 6:55 a.m.
