Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner C-FVLZ landing at Toronto Pearson
Airline Guide AC · Star Alliance

Air Canada flights through Toronto, Montreal & Vancouver.

Air Canada is Canada's largest airline and a founding member of Star Alliance. From its hubs it serves Canada, the U.S. and destinations on six continents — often a good-value one-stop option to Europe and Asia.

Find AC fares Booking help · 24/7+1 (855) 447-1880
Airline profile Updated 21 October 2026
IATA / ICAO
AC / ACA
Main hub
Toronto Pearson (YYZ)
Alliance
Star Alliance
Loyalty
Aeroplan
Cabins
Economy to Signature Class
Founded
1937
Official airline website

Search My Trip is an independent travel agency, not Air Canada. We help you compare and book AC flights; check-in, seats and onboard service are handled by the airline.

  • 4Canadian hubs
  • 1937Year founded
  • 1997Star Alliance co-founder
  • AeroplanLoyalty program
01
Why Air Canada

One stop via Canada to Europe and Asia

Connecting in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver can be cheaper than flying via a U.S. hub. On the way back to the U.S., you clear U.S. customs in Canada before boarding, so you arrive as a domestic passenger.

4Canadian hubs
PreclearanceU.S. customs in Canada
6Continents served

U.S. preclearance

Clear U.S. customs at major Canadian airports before you board.

Signature Class

Lie-flat business seats on long-haul wide-body flights.

Maple Leaf Lounges

Lounges at major Canadian and selected international airports.

Transit documents

Many travellers connecting in Canada need an eTA or visa — check before booking.

Why book Air Canada with us

  • Transit papers checked

    We tell you if you need an eTA or visa to connect in Canada.

  • Fare types explained

    Basic, Standard, Flex, Latitude — we show what each one includes.

  • Bag allowance confirmed

    It varies by route and fare. We check yours before you pay.

  • 24/7 help

    Real people for changes, cancellations and refunds.

02
Routes to watch

Popular Air Canada routes

Popular cross-border routes
LGAYYZ New York → Toronto ~1h 35m Live fares SFOYVR San Francisco → Vancouver ~2h 15m Live fares BOSYUL Boston → Montreal ~1h 20m Live fares ORDYYZ Chicago → Toronto ~1h 40m Live fares
From Columbus via Canada
CMHYYZ Columbus → Toronto See schedules Live fares CMHLHR Columbus → London See schedules Live fares CMHCDG Columbus → Paris See schedules Live fares CMHHND Columbus → Tokyo See schedules Live fares

Flight times are typical scheduled durations and can vary by season. Click a route to see live prices and availability for your dates.

03
Where Air Canada connects

Four hubs, coast to coast

YYZ Toronto Pearson Largest hub
YUL Montreal Europe & Africa
YVR Vancouver Asia & Pacific
YYC Calgary Western Canada

Toronto handles the most connections, Montreal is strong for France and Africa, and Vancouver faces Asia. Calgary links the Prairies and the Rockies.

  • CanadaEvery major Canadian city and many smaller ones.
  • United StatesDozens of U.S. cities, with preclearance on the way back.
  • Europe & AfricaLondon, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome and more, plus North Africa via Montreal.
  • Asia & PacificTokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Sydney and others, mainly from Vancouver and Toronto.
04
Choose your seat

Economy to Signature Class

Premium Economy seats on an Air Canada Boeing 787-9
Economy fares come in several types, from Basic to Latitude, each with different bag and change rules. Long-haul flights add Premium Economy and Signature Class. New Boeing 787-10s, arriving from late 2026, bring Signature Class suites and a new Signature Plus tier. Premium Economy on an Air Canada Boeing 787-9. Photo: Alex S.H. Lin, CC BY-SA 2.0
Basic to Latitude

Economy

  • Fare types with different bag and change rules
  • Seat selection on most fares
  • Meals on long-haul flights
Long-haul

Premium Economy

  • Wider seat with more recline
  • Priority check-in and boarding
  • Upgraded meals
  • Larger bag allowance
Long-haul business

Signature Class

  • Lie-flat seat with aisle access
  • Maple Leaf Lounge access
  • Priority services throughout
05
Pack right

Air Canada baggage at a glance

Carry-onAbout 55 × 40 × 23 cm. Basic fares on some routes allow a personal item only 1 bag + personal item
Basic faresChecked bags can be added for a fee No free checked bag
Economy, transatlanticOn most Standard fares and above Usually 1 bag
Premium cabinsPremium Economy and Signature Class Usually 2 bags

Allowances depend on fare type, route and Aeroplan status. Confirm on your booking before you fly.

06
Aeroplan

Status earned with SQC

Aeroplan Elite Status is earned with Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) from Air Canada and Star Alliance flights and eligible spending. Points can be used on Air Canada and more than 45 partners.

  1. 1 25K Star Alliance Silver
  2. 2 35K Star Alliance Gold
  3. 3 50K Star Alliance Gold
  4. 4 75K Star Alliance Gold
  5. 5 Super Elite Top tier

Tier names, requirements and benefits are set by Air Canada and can change.

07
From our travel desk

Tips for cheaper Air Canada fares

  1. Check your transit documents

    Even a short connection in Canada may need an eTA or visa. Sort it out before you book.

  2. Compare fare types

    Basic is cheapest but restricts bags and changes. Standard often costs only a little more.

  3. Pick the right hub

    Vancouver for Asia, Montreal for France and North Africa, Toronto for most of Europe.

  4. Leave time for preclearance

    U.S. customs happens before you board in Canada — allow time for it at the connection.

  5. Add your Aeroplan number

    Add it when booking so every flight counts.

Your AC ticket in four steps

  1. Step 1 Search

    Enter your cities and dates and filter the results to Air Canada.

  2. Step 2 Compare

    See fares, stops and cabins side by side with taxes shown up front.

  3. Step 3 Add details

    Enter traveller names exactly as on ID and add your Aeroplan number.

  4. Step 4 Fly

    Get your confirmation by email, then check in with Air Canada before you fly.

08
Good to know

Air Canada FAQs

Is Search My Trip the same as Air Canada?
No. Search My Trip is an independent travel agency. We help you search, compare and book Air Canada flights, but we are not owned by or affiliated with the airline.
Do I clear U.S. customs in Canada?
Yes. Flights to the U.S. from major Canadian airports have U.S. preclearance, so you go through U.S. customs before boarding.
Do I need an eTA to connect in Canada?
Many visa-exempt travellers need an eTA even just to transit, and some nationalities need a visa. U.S. citizens do not need either. Check before booking.
Which hubs does Air Canada use?
Toronto Pearson, Montreal-Trudeau, Vancouver and Calgary.
Which alliance is Air Canada in?
Star Alliance, which it co-founded in 1997.
What is Signature Plus?
A new top tier of business class that Air Canada announced in 2026 for its Boeing 787-10s, with a small number of larger suites at the front of the cabin. It will appear only on those aircraft as they enter service.
Can I book Air Canada over the phone?
Yes. Our travel experts can help you compare fares, connections and bag allowances and book for you. Call +1 (855) 447-1880 any time — we're available 24/7. You can also book directly on the airline's own website.
Talk to an expert

Flying Air Canada via Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver?

Tell us your dates — we will check hubs, transit documents and fare types and find the best option.

+1 (855) 447-1880

Search My Trip is an independent travel agency and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Air Canada. Airline names and programme names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used here only to describe the flights we help you book. Airline policies change, so always confirm details with the airline before you travel. Last updated 21 October 2026.

Photos via Wikimedia Commons, cropped and resized: AVA Navigate (CC BY-SA 4.0); Alex S.H. Lin (CC BY-SA 2.0).

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