Air Canada to launch First Ever Non-Stop Service between Sydney, Australia and Vancouver

Air Canada is to launch the first ever non-stop flights between Australia and Canada with the introduction of double daily flights December 16, 2004 in time for the peak travel season in the southern hemisphere.

Flights will be operated using 282-seat Airbus A340-300 aircraft enabling Air Canada to offer non-stop service northbound from Sydney to Vancouver. Southbound flights, requiring a brief stopover in Honolulu for refueling, will allow customers to stay on board thus eliminating U.S. customs clearance and transit visas for some travelers including citizens of Australia.

With a flight time of 14 hours and 40 minutes, Air Canada's new daily A340 non-stop service will reduce northbound flying time by two hours and 15 minutes compared to the carrier's second daily one stop service.

"With the introduction of A340 service to Australia, we are offering customers superior choice and the convenience of non-stop flights for the first time," said Ben Smith, Vice President, Planning. "The addition of direct service means significant added convenience for citizens of Australia and other travellers impacted by U.S. government visa requirements when transiting via the United States. Our new non-stop service also means greatly improved travel times with only one connection to major cities in eastern Canada including Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa."

Air Canada will maintain its second daily flight operated via Honolulu with a 212-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. These flights allow passengers to stop over in Hawaii between Canada and Australia. With the introduction of the first-ever double daily service Air Canada is increasing the number of seats on the route by 33 per cent over last year.

Flight AC033, an Airbus A340-300, departs Vancouver at 18:10, arrives in Honolulu at 22:25 for refueling and continues on to Sydney for arrival at 07:00, two days later. Flight AC034 departs Sydney at 11:15 and arrives in Vancouver at 06:55 the same day.

AC045, a Boeing 767-300, departs Vancouver at 16:50, arrives in Honolulu at 21:00, departs Honolulu at 22:30 and arrives in Sydney at 06:05, two days later. AC046 departs Sydney at 08:30, arrives at Honolulu at 22:25, departs Honolulu at 22:55, and arrives in Vancouver at 06:25 the same day.

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