Air Canada Expands Route Network for Summer 2026

Air Canada has announced a significant expansion of its international network scheduled for the summer of 2026. This expansion includes new as well as returning routes across Europe and an increase in services to Asia. The announcement aligns with Air Canada’s efforts to capitalize on the increasing international travel demand following the lifting of travel restrictions.

New and Returning Routes

From Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver to destinations such as Catania, Budapest, and Bangkok
Resumption of routes to Shanghai

Transatlantic Expansion

Air Canada’s focus remains on Europe for its 2026 summer schedule, launching three new routes primarily from Montreal:

Montreal to Catania, Italy: Thrice weekly, June 4 to October 22, 2026, via Boeing 787
Montreal to Mallorca, Spain: Four times weekly, June 17 to October 23, 2026, operated by Airbus A321XLR

The new route from Toronto to Budapest makes Air Canada the second North American airline to serve Hungary’s capital alongside American Airlines. Flights to Prague will increase from three to four times weekly.

Transpacific Network Changes

Two main adjustments mark Air Canada’s Asian routes for summer 2026:

Returning flights from Toronto to Shanghai
Year-round service from Vancouver to Bangkok, maintaining thrice weekly frequencies with the Boeing 787-9

Origin	Destination	Flight Number	Aircraft Type	Frequency	Change From 2025
Montreal	Catania	AC 932	Boeing 787-9	Three times per week	New route
Montreal	Mallorca	AC 924	Airbus A321XLR	Four times per week	New route
Vancouver	Bangkok	AC 65	Boeing 787-9	Three times per week	Winter seasonal to year-round
Toronto	Shanghai	AC 27	Boeing 787-9	Four times per week	New route
Toronto	Budapest	AC 942	Boeing 787-9	Four times per week	New route
Toronto	Prague	AC 934	Airbus A330-300	Four times per week	One new weekly flight

Network Implications

New destinations like Mallorca and Catania are aimed at rising leisure travel demands, achievable due to the size and efficiency of the A321XLR aircraft. Bangkok is also emphasized for its strong leisure demand, leveraging Air Canada’s unique market position as the only carrier offering nonstop flights between North America and Thailand. The Shanghai route’s resumption marks a gradual return to pre-pandemic travel levels.