Air Canada is planning to expand its international flights by adding new destinations in Europe and bringing back services to China. These changes are expected to start in the summer of 2026. The airline’s decision comes as more people are traveling for vacations and business after the pandemic, and it is trying to meet this growing demand.
Air Canada will introduce flights from Montreal to Catania in Sicily, Italy, and from Toronto to Budapest, Hungary. These routes will start in June 2026. The flights from Montreal to Sicily will run three times a week using a Boeing 787-8 aircraft. With this, Air Canada will be the only airline connecting Canada to Sicily. However, travelers from the U.S. can also fly to Sicily from New York, as Delta Air Lines plans to start daily flights from JFK airport in the summer of 2026.
The flights from Toronto to Budapest will restart on June 5, 2026. These flights will also operate four times a week with Boeing 787-9 planes. Air Canada used to operate flights to Budapest before the pandemic but had to stop them in 2019. Since then, Budapest hasn’t had a direct connection to North America until now. American Airlines will also return to Budapest with flights from Philadelphia starting in May 2026.
Besides these new flights, Air Canada will increase flights from Toronto to Prague by one additional round trip each week, bringing it to four weekly flights.
These new routes will add to Air Canada’s already large European network. In the summer of 2025, Air Canada operated 49 routes across Europe with almost 5.85 million seats. This is more than last year when it flew 45 routes with 5.5 million seats. It now holds a 7.3% share of all flights between North America and Europe, making it the fifth-largest airline on this route after United, Delta, American, and British Airways.
After a long break caused by COVID-19, Air Canada will bring back flights between Toronto and Shanghai starting June 3, 2026. These flights will operate four times a week using Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Before the pandemic, Air Canada had many routes to China, but now it only operates a few. Even with the new flights, its current offerings are far smaller than what they were before COVID-19. For example, in 2019, it offered nearly 19,000 seats each week to China. Today, it only offers about 7,150 weekly seats.
Other airlines also fly from Toronto to China. China Eastern Airlines operates four flights a week between Toronto and Shanghai. China Southern Airlines offers flights to Guangzhou, China, four times weekly. Air China flies to Beijing three times a week, and Hainan Airlines flies to Beijing once weekly.
Besides restarting flights to Shanghai, Air Canada is also expanding its services from Vancouver. Its seasonal flight between Vancouver and Bangkok, Thailand, which started in 2022, will now operate year-round starting in May 2026. These flights will run three times a week using Boeing 787-9 aircraft because travelers are increasingly visiting this popular destination.
Air Canada is not just adding new flights but also modernizing its aircraft. The airline recently confirmed Palma de Mallorca in Spain as the first destination for its new Airbus A321XLR planes. These aircraft will also operate on other routes, such as Montreal to Toulouse, France, and Montreal to Edinburgh, Scotland, replacing older models and increasing the number of flights.
This move is part of Air Canada’s strategy to offer better services while expanding its reach globally. The airline’s officials say that by adding more routes, it can better serve travelers, meet rising demand, and improve cargo transport.
According to Air Canada’s top executives, global demand for travel is growing because more people are traveling for leisure, work, and business. There is also an increase in shipping and cargo services between continents. The airline believes that investing in new flights will help it stay ahead of competitors and support the tourism industry.
The return of flights to China shows that Air Canada is focusing on markets that are recovering after pandemic-related restrictions. Similarly, the new routes to Europe will connect Canadians to new destinations, helping them explore different cultures and business opportunities.
Despite these expansions, Air Canada still faces challenges. The airline’s China routes are far from reaching the level of service that existed before the pandemic. Additionally, competition from other airlines such as Delta and American Airlines is increasing. Many of these companies are also expanding into new markets.
There are also challenges like global economic uncertainty, supply chain problems, and new trade tariffs that may affect travel and operations.
However, the airline believes that its new aircraft and expanded routes will help it stay competitive and meet travelers' expectations.
For Canadians and international travelers, this expansion offers more choices and better connectivity. Travelers will now have direct flights to Sicily, Hungary, and Shanghai, making it easier to explore new places or do business abroad. The year-round service to Bangkok means vacationers can plan trips anytime during the year.
Though competition may lead to more options, passengers can expect improved services, new destinations, and better schedules as airlines race to serve customers in the post-pandemic travel boom.
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