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Air Canada and Rouge have been launching a couple of new routes. Yesterday, they put out a press release on additional routes they are launching. They’ve been on a huge expansion lately, most recently adding Vancouver – Frankfurt/Taipei/Gatwick last November.
Additional Reading: Air Canada Launches Two New Routes to Europe From YVR!
Most of these routes start in December 2017, currently for the winter travel season:
- Vancouver – Melbourne: 4x weekly Dec 1 – Feb 4 operated with a mainline Boeing 787-9
- Vancouver – Orlando: 2x weekly Dec 20 – Apr 8 with a rouge Boeing 767-300ER
- Toronto – Belize City: 1x weekly Dec 15 – Apr 13 with a rouge A319
- Toronto – St. Vincent: 1x weekly Dec 14 – Apr 12 with a rouge A319
- Montreal – Phoenix: 3x weekly Feb 22 – May 28 with a rouge A319
Of all the routes being launched, I’m the most excited about Melbourne as we finally have a non-stop link to the three major Australian cities from Vancouver. I’m a huge fan of Sydney and Melbourne, so will definitely try to get on this flight during their seasonal service. Air Canada’s 787 features reverse herringbone international business class, which is quite nice.
Air Canada 787 International Business Class
The most recent air bilateral agreement between Canada and Australia has permitted 9,000 weekly seats since December 2016, so it’s nice that these are actually being used. While I do like the open-skies policy of the US a lot more, it is kind of funny to only have 9 weekly flights between Canada and the UAE (and de-facto Middle East/Indian Subcontinent).
Paid and award availability has already been loaded, at least on the Melbourne flight. Economy awards are available around a third to a half of the days, while business class award seats are quite hard to come by. If you do find one, it will cost you 80,000 Aeroplan for a one-way business class ticket from North America.
The best way to pick up these miles are with the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite and Infinite Privilege card, which have a fantastic bonus of 30,000/55,000 miles apiece. These credit card offers have been extended until May 16th, so pick up a card now before the offer changes.
Additional Reading: Great TD Aeroplan Visa Offers!
Air Canada Melbourne
Alternatively, American Express Membership Rewards transfers at a 1:1 ratio to Aeroplan. AMEX currently has four charge cards earning Membership Rewards with improved bonuses – which are all historical highs.
- American Express Business Platinum Card: Get up to 75,000 Membership Rewards Points!
- American Express Business Gold Card: Get up to 40,000 Membership Rewards Points!
- American Express Platinum Card: Get up to 60,000 Membership Reward Points!
- American Express Gold Rewards Card: Get up to 30,000 Membership Rewards Points!
I’m definitely looking forward to these new routes – are you?
Source – Air Canada Media Center
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Got any ANA miles? Would be useful for this redemption to Australia…