Canada’s largest and oldest airline is accustomed to flying long distances. Even within the country, the carrier’s longer domestic flights can be between four and five hours in duration – unsurprising given the size of Canada. However, when it comes to destinations outside Canada’s borders, the airline is flying much longer services using its fleet of Boeing 787s and 777s. This article will examine some of the airline’s longest routes.
This list ranks routes using straightlight (great circle) distances. As a result, it does not calculate the additional distance flown due to airspace bans – particularly over Russia. As a result, true rankings may be different, with flight times giving a better sense in the current operating environment.
All data comes from FlightRadar24.com.
#5: Toronto – Dubai (AC56/57)
- Direct distance: 11,081 km (5,983 NM)
- Average duration outbound: 12 hours and 37 minutes
- Average flight duration inbound: 13 hours and 20 minutes
- Aircraft type used: Boeing 787-9
Announced in December 2014 and launched in November 2015, the route began as a three-times-weekly service. Air Canada’s first non-stop flight to the UAE utilized the Boeing 787 – a type that is still deployed to this destination. At the time of the route’s announcement, Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer at Air Canada, stated:
“The introduction of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Air Canada’s fleet this year has been a catalyst for our international expansion plans, which will receive an additional impetus in 2015 when the larger Dreamliner 787-9 series aircraft begins to enter the fleet. The Dreamliner has brought international air travel to a new level of comfort and Air Canada has further enhanced the experience with its award-winning, three-cabin service.”
Photo: FlightRadar24.com
In addition to the #4 and #3 routes, the Toronto-Dubai services is made longer due to airspace bans. In this case, flights to Dubai avoid Belorussian and Ukrainian airspace, as the most direct path would take an aircraft over these two countries.
#4: Montreal – Delhi (AC50/51)
- Direct distance: 11,270 km (6,085 NM)
- Average duration outbound: 13 hours and 58 minutes
- Average flight duration inbound:15 hours and four minutes
- Aircraft type used: Boeing 787-9
Announced in October 2021 and launched two weeks later, this service initially began with a thrice-weekly frequency. Hailed as the only direct service to Delhi out of Montreal, Air Canada still holds this title. Current scheduling data shows the airline has boosted frequency on this route, now operating flights four times per week using a Boeing 787-9.
Photo: FlightRadar24.com
Having to avoid Russian airspace, this service travels across continental Europe whilst also avoiding Iranian and Afghan airspace.
#3: Toronto – Delhi (AC42/43)
- Direct distance: 11,638 km (6,284 NM)
- Average duration outbound: 15 hours and one minute
- Average flight duration inbound: 15 hours and 36 minutes
- Aircraft type used: Boeing 777-200LR
Years after pulling out of India, Air Canada re-entered this market with an annoucement of a Toronto-Delhi service commencing in October 2003. As noted by the Times of India, this route was initially launched using the Airbus A340-300. However, the carrier now deploys the Boeing 777-200LR with a once-daily frequency.
Photo: Air Canada
A route near-identical to the Montreal-Delhi service, Air Canada jets flying from Toronto to Delhi avoid the same Central Asian countries.
#2: Vancouver – Brisbane (AC35/36)
- Direct distance: 11,845 km (6,396 NM)
- Average duration outbound: 14 hours and 26 minutes
- Average flight duration inbound: 12 hours and 57 minutes
- Aircraft type used: Boeing 787-9
Photo: FlightRadar24.com
Launched in 2016, the service was the only direct, non-stop flight between Canada and the Australian state of Queensland. Benjamin Smith, Passenger Airlines President of Air Canada at the time (now CEO of the Air France-KLM Group), stated in 2016:
“We are delighted to launch the only non-stop, year-round service between Canada and Brisbane, a significant commercial business hub and tourism gateway to one of Australia’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Great Barrier Reef, and the beautiful Gold Coast,”
This service intially began with a Boeing 787-8 but has since been ‘upguaged’ to a 787-9.
#1: Vancouver – Sydney (AC33/34)
- Direct distance: 12,500 km (6,750 NM)
- Average duration outbound: 15 hours and nine minutes
- Average flight duration inbound: 13 hours and 41 minutes
- Aircraft type used: Boeing 777-200LR
First announced in 2004, this was the first ever non-stop flight between Australia and Canada. As per reporting from PAX News at the time, this route was first serviced with a 282-seat Airbus A340-300. This would allow for non-stop service northbound from Sydney to Vancouver, although southbound flights required a brief stopover in Honolulu for refueling. For this technical stop, customers had to stay on board to avoid US customs clearance and transit visas for some travelers including citizens of Australia.
These days, the aircraft for this long-running service typically begins in Eastern Canada. The 777 begins its journey in Ottawa or Toronto, operating a cross-country domestic service. Stopping in Vancouver, the jet drops off Vancouver-bound passengers and picks up travelers flying from Vancouver to Sydney.
Photo: FlightRadar24.com
Air Canada’s non-stop Toronto-Hong Kong service rivalled Vancouver-Sydney for the airline’s longest route. The ‘winning route’ ultimately varied, and depended on specific distances and durations, due to different routings.
A new long-haul contender in October
Come October, Air Canada will have one more lengthy, 12+ hour flight in the form of a four-times weekly service between Vancouver and Dubai. The service is set to begin on October 28th, 2023 and will utilize the Boeing 787-9.
The great circle distance for this route is 11,758 km (6,349 NM). However, this won’t be possible due to airspace bans. Thus, if we look at the scheduled flight times proposed by the airline, we can see that the flight to Dubai will be around 16 hours. It’s about 15 hours returning to Vancouver. Air Canada’s service will be quite a bit longer than Emirates’ comparable Seattle-Dubai service. Operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, FlightRadar24.com data shows that Emirates has been flying through Russian airspace for this route.
What do you think of Air Canada’s longest routes? Where else would you like to see the carrier fly? Let us know by leaving a comment!
Sources: FlightRadar24.com, Times of India, PAX News
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Like many airlines, Air Canada has had to rely on government loans and funding over the pandemic. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Air Canada
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- AC/ACA
- Airline Type:
- Full Service Carrier
- Hub(s):
- Calgary International Airport, Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport
- Year Founded:
- 1967
- Alliance:
- Star Alliance
- CEO:
- Michael Rousseau
- Country:
- Canada
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