Air Canada has confirmed it will be resuming scheduled service between Ottawa and London Heathrow from 31st March 2025. The airline will operate the route four times a week using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
"We are very pleased to solidify Air Canada's leadership serving our country's capital with the resumption of trans-Atlantic services beginning next spring. In addition to London being a top global destination, Heathrow is one of the world's primary global gateways as well as home to Air Canada's largest international operations. Conveniently located together with our Star Alliance partner airlines in The Queen's Terminal, Air Canada offers customers easy connections to a vast array of more than 30 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa with our airline partners. With continued demand for visiting friends, relatives, leisure and tourism, as well as supporting business and corporate travel, this route gives customers from both the National Capital Region and abroad direct, convenient international travel options to and from Ottawa," said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President – Revenue and Network Planning at Air Canada.
"We are looking forward to the future delivery of Air Canada's new Airbus A321XLR fleet. The economics, optimum cabin size and range of the XLR which is expected to begin arriving in late 2025, will enable us to consider operating this important international route with greater frequencies and potentially with year-round service," concluded Mr. Galardo.
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Air Canada's Ottawa-London Heathrow flight resumption announcement follows its recent announcement significantly expanding services from Ottawa to points across Canada and sun leisure destinations this winter. As Air Canada will operate up to 229 weekly flights to and from Ottawa next year across a range of regional, domestic, international and transborder flights, the carrier has designated Ottawa as a test location for trialling and refining new customer service initiatives designed to improve the customer journey.
Air Canada's Boeing 787 Dreamliners offer a choice of three cabins: Air Canada Signature Class featuring lie-flat individual pods, Premium Economy featuring larger seats with additional leg room and premium services, and Economy featuring complimentary Chef-inspired and designed meals, wines, and beverages. All cabins have award-winning inflight entertainment screens at every seat with hours of complimentary onboard entertainment featuring more than 1,400 hours of movies, more than 1,900 hours of TV shows, more than 600 hours of music and podcasts, and featuring premier collaborations with Apple TV+, Audible, Disney+, Hayu. Customers have the opportunity to purchase wi-fi connectivity. Additionally, for all Air Canada Aeroplan members there is free texting onboard wi-fi-equipped aircraft.
Air Canada's onboard services on international flights showcase some of the best cuisine Canadian culinary talent has to offer with Air Canada's panel of celebrity chefs, including renowned Montreal chef Jérôme Ferrer and award-winning, Vancouver-based chefs David Hawksworth and Vikram Vij. Complementing the culinary journey is a selection of top wines chosen by leading Canadian sommelier, Véronique Rivest.
Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa said: "Ottawa residents and business owners have been hoping and calling for a return of direct non-stop service to London. The restored flight will boost our local economy, increase tourism, and connect two world capitals. It will make it easier for residents to travel abroad, tourists to visit Ottawa, and businesses to launch and expand in our city. Thank you to Air Canada, the Ottawa International Airport Authority, and Ottawa Tourism for their hard work. And special thanks to all the residents who raised their voices and helped make this possible. This is a big win for Ottawa,"
Mark Laroche, President and CEO of the Ottawa International Airport Authority said: "We're absolutely thrilled that YOW is once again connected, non-stop, to London-Heathrow Airport. As a key destination for government officials, business leaders, and leisure travellers worldwide, having Canada's Capital Region back in the London mix elevates Ottawa-Gatineau on the global stage. Sincere thanks to the Mayor's office, our tourism partners, local businesses, and everyone who added their voice to the effort to reinstate this valued route."
