Air Canada announced the strategic expansion of its international network, adding nonstop flights between its Pacific hub at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in the Philippines.
The announcement was made during the Government of Canada’s Team Canada Trade Mission, which is currently in the Philippines and celebrating 75 years of Canada-Philippines diplomatic relations. This new service to Manila is Air Canada’s third Southeast Asia destination launched in the last two years.
“We are thrilled to add Manila to our global network with new, year-round, non-stop service from Vancouver, Air Canada’s Pacific gateway hub. We continue to pursue our international network strategy of expanding to large, fast-growing markets presently unserved directly by Air Canada. The Philippines is an important market reflecting longstanding family ties between our two countries with growing business connections and tourism opportunities,” said Mark Galardo, executive vice president of Revenue and Network Planning.
He added, “With an extensive domestic and transborder network in Vancouver designed to connect seamlessly to our international flights, we are making travel between North America and the Philippines even more convenient for leisure and business travelers. It is with great excitement that we look forward to welcoming our customers onboard next spring,”
Air Canada is the only Canadian carrier scheduled to serve the Philippines, presently the largest market in Asia without direct Air Canada service. The new route will operate four times weekly beginning April 2, 2025, using the airline’s flagship Dreamliner aircraft.
It will be Air Canada’s 12th route in its transpacific network from Vancouver, which includes Japan, South Korea, the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, leveraging Vancouver’s geographic position as the closest major North American city to Asia.
With this new service, Air Canada will offer over 180 weekly flights between Canada and the Pacific next summer, the most non-stop flights of any carrier in the market. This marks a continuation of Air Canada’s expansion into fast-growing Southeast Asian markets, building off recent additions to Singapore and Bangkok, to more than double summer season seat capacity over the Pacific since 2022.
Flights from Canada to Manila can be purchased today on aircanada.com, through Air Canada’s contact centers, and via travel agents. Flights for bookings originating in Manila to Canada will be available for sale shortly.
Flights will be operated with Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft featuring three service cabins for customers, including Signature Class with lie-flat seats, Premium Economy and Economy Class.
Air Canada’s complimentary and extensive in-flight entertainment programming features more than 1,400 hours of movies, 1,900 hours of television shows, and more than 600 hours of music and podcasts, and where available, live TV is available at every seat. The award-winning IFE features collaborations with Apple TV+, Audible, Disney+, Hayu, and others, bringing hours of movies, tv episodes, specialty channels, music albums, other video and audio content and games in multiple languages from boarding to landing.
Eligible customers will have access to the Vancouver Air Canada Signature Suite, which offers a la carte dining and premium beverage options in a relaxed airport enclave, and the Air Canada International Maple Leaf Lounge.
Vancouver also has in-transit customs pre-clearance for inbound customers connecting internationally, simplifying the transit through YVR. The new route has also been designed to allow customers to conveniently connect to and from more than 50 destinations across North America via Air Canada’s hub at YVR.
Milestone between two countries
“This marks an exciting milestone between our two countries, as I lead the biggest Team Canada Trade Mission ever to the Philippines. As we mark 75 years of our diplomatic relations, these new direct flights between Vancouver and Manila will help create stronger connections and partnerships, easier travel, economic growth, and generate shared prosperity,” said The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development of Canada.
Ng said she looks forward to seeing our Canadian companies continue to develop in the Philippines through initiatives like these.
B.C. Premier David Eby said that B.C. is home to a significant Filipino Canadian community that makes incredible contributions to the province and wants to stay connected to friends and family overseas.
Eby said a new direct route between Vancouver and Manila would make it faster and easier for people to travel between these two cities, including for business and trade opportunities. This will strengthen cultural and economic ties between Canada and the Philippines,” he added.
“Vancouver is thrilled to welcome Air Canada’s new flight to Manila. As the first Canadian airline to offer this route directly and year-round, it’s a meaningful milestone that strengthens the connection between Canada and the Philippines. For our city’s vibrant Filipino community, it brings loved ones closer, makes reunions easier, and opens the door to even more opportunities to connect and celebrate their heritage,” said Mayor Ken Sim, City of Vancouver.
Tamara Vrooman, president and CEO at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), said they welcome Air Canada’s continuing to grow its Transpacific network from Vancouver by adding direct service into the Philippines.
“This new Manila service builds on their extensive Asia network from YVR, bringing family, friends, and business together and providing travelers with more choices and connections. In addition, launching this 14-hour non-stop service will generate $46 million in economic value to our region,” Vrooman added.
“Today’s announcement by Air Canada of a new international route connecting Vancouver and Manila, the capital of Canada’s third-largest export market within ASEAN, will only deepen our strong people-to-people links and economic connections to the Philippines and add momentum to Canada’s renewed engagement with the rapidly growing economies of Southeast Asia,” said Jeff Nankivell, president and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
Nankivell added, “This year-round, non-stop service will better connect the businesspeople, families, students, official visitors, and tourists who underpin our countries’ relationship, with significant economic benefits for Canada and the Philippines.”
According to Bridgitte Anderson, president and CEO at Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, the Canada-Philippines bilateral merchandise trade totaled $3.4 billion in 2023, with B.C. serving as the gateway for the movement of goods.
She stated that Air Canada’s new Vancouver-Philippines route will be crucial to continuing to bolster trade and investment, promote tourism, and better connect our communities—all vital to building a sustainable and thriving economy.
“The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is delighted that Air Canada has chosen to invest in this new direct global connection, which will bring significant benefits to our economy and community,” Anderson said.
Air Canada’s international services
Air Canada’s international onboard services showcase some of Canada’s best culinary talent through its panel of celebrated chefs, comprising award-winning chefs David Hawksworth, Vikram Vij, and Jérôme Ferrer. Complementing the culinary journey is a selection of top wines chosen by leading Canadian sommelier Véronique Rivest.
When traveling with Air Canada, customers can collect and redeem points through Aeroplan Air Canada’s loyalty program. Eligible customers can also access priority check-in, Maple Leaf Lounges, concierge, priority boarding and other exclusive benefits.