Air Canada looks to be starting a new direct service from Montreal to New Delhi starting this Spring. While there is yet to be an official announcement from the carrier, travelers can now book this route on the Air Canada website. Here’s everything we know about the new service.
New route
Air Canada is planning to connect the largest city Quebec to the Indian capital soon. The airline has begun listing a thrice-weekly service from New Delhi to Montreal starting from 20th April. When confirmed, this would mark Air Canada’s third direct route from India after Toronto and Vancouver.
The new service, listed as AC 50 and 51, will be flown using the trusted Boeing 787-9, which also flies other routes between India and Canada. The aircraft features a three-class layout with economy, premium economy, and business class.
Currently, AC 51 will depart New Delhi at 07:00 AM on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, landing in Montreal at 11:30 AM. The return flight will leave Montreal at 19:20 on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, landing in Delhi at 17:55 the next day. Flight time takes 13 to 14 hours each way (depending on the direction).
Growing operations
Last October, Air India announced its six-month schedule between India and Canada, the first time it had done so since the pandemic. Most schedules have been only for few months or lesser. The long-term planning still falls under the travel bubble agreement and does allow airlines to establish semi-normal schedules on their routes.
Now, Air Canada seems to be taking advantage of the bubble agreement and adding new services. The Canadian flag carrier only resumed services to India in mid-August, following a five five-month suspension due to the pandemic. Since then, the airline has ramped up from just flying Delhi-Toronto thrice-a-week to adding a Vancouver flight and making both services daily ones.
The decision to fly multiple daily services during the pandemic could signal strong demand coming out of India. Montreal’s addition will only further strengthen Air Canada’s route network and will likely find passengers due to the strong business and VFR links between the countries. The flight timings also suit business travelers, providing a mid-day flight on the outbound and a redeye service while returning.
The cabin
As mentioned, Air Canada’s 787-9 features a three-class cabin with 30 seats in business class, 21 seats in premium economy (just three rows), and 247 seats in economy. The reverse herringbone design in business class is tried and tested, with Air Canada’s being quite comfortable.
Tickets for the new route can be booked online now, with a roundtrip in economy costing a pricey $1,284, premium economy for $1,807, and business class for $3,420. The prices certainly do not make this route a cheap one, but it does offer the unbeatable convenience of a direct flight.
What do you think about Air Canada’s new route? Will it find high demand? Let us know in the comments!