● Air Canada is launching non-stop flights between Manila and Vancouver beginning April 2, 2025
● The new service to Manila is Air Canada’s third Southeast Asia destination launched in the last two years and its 12th route in its transpacific network from Vancouver
● The four times weekly flight will be between the airline’s Pacific hub at Vancouver International Airport and Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft
Air Canada is launching non-stop flights between Manila and Vancouver beginning April 2, 2025, the carrier said in a statement.
The new service to Manila, Air Canada’s third Southeast Asia destination launched in the last two years, was announced during the Government of Canada’s Team Canada Trade Mission currently in the Philippines, celebrating 75 years of Canada-Philippines diplomatic relations.
The four times weekly flight will be between the airline’s Pacific hub at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in the Philippines.
“We are thrilled to add Manila to our global network with new, year-round, non-stop service from Vancouver, Air Canada’s Pacific gateway hub,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President, Revenue and Network Planning, and President, Cargo at Air Canada.
Galardo added, “We continue to pursue our international network strategy of expanding to large, fast-growing markets that are presently unserved directly by Air Canada. The Philippines is an important market reflecting longstanding family ties between our two countries with growing business connections and tourism opportunities. With an extensive domestic and transborder network in Vancouver designed to connect seamlessly to our international flights, we are making travel between North America and the Philippines even more convenient for leisure and business travellers alike. It is with great excitement that we look forward to welcoming our customers onboard next spring.”
Air Canada is the only Canadian carrier scheduled to serve the Philippines, presently the largest market in Asia without direct Air Canada service.
The new route will utilize the airline’s flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. It will be Air Canada’s 12th route in its transpacific network from Vancouver, which includes Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, leveraging Vancouver’s geographic position as the closest major North American city to Asia.
With the new service, next summer Air Canada will offer over 180 weekly flights between Canada and the Pacific, the most non-stop flights of any carrier in the market. The airline said it marks a continuation of its expansion into fast-growing markets into Southeast Asia, building off recent additions to Singapore and Bangkok, to more than double summer season seat capacity over the Pacific since 2022.
Flights from Canada to Manila can be purchased starting December 5 on its website, aircanada.com, or through Air Canada’s contact centers, and via travel agents. Flights for bookings originating in Manila to Canada will be available for sale shortly.
Flights will be operated with Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft featuring three cabins of service for customers to choose from, including Signature Class with lie-flat seats, Premium Economy and Economy Class.
The new route is designed to allow customers to conveniently connect to and from more than 50 destinations across North America via Air Canada’s hub at YVR.
International Trade and Economic Development of Canada minister of export promotion Mary Ng said the new service “will help create stronger connections and partnerships, easier travel, economic growth, and generate shared prosperity.”
Vancouver City mayor Ken Sim, for his part, said the new service “strengthens the connection between Canada and the Philippines.”
“For our city’s vibrant Filipino community, it brings loved ones closer, makes reunions easier, and opens the door to even more opportunities to connect and celebrate their heritage,” Sim said.
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade president and CEO Bridgitte Anderson noted that in 2023, the Canada-Philippines bilateral merchandise trade totaled $3.4 billion, with B.C. serving as the gateway for the movement of goods.
“The new Vancouver-Philippines route by Air Canada will be crucial to continue bolstering trade and investment, promoting tourism, and better connecting our communities – all vital to building a sustainable and thriving economy,” Anderson said.
