Air Canada Inaugurates Daily Non-Stop Service Between Vancouver and Shanghai

Air Canada inaugurates a daily non-stop service between Vancouver and Shanghai when flight AC005 left Vancouver International Airport at 12:00 p.m. en route to Shanghai's Pudong International Airport.

With the introduction of the new service, Air Canada now provides 14 non-stop flights per week between Canada and China's commercial and financial centre as well as the nation's capital, Beijing.

"Over the years, both Air Canada and Canadian Airlines have recognized the importance of strong air links between Canada and China," said Marc Rosenberg, Air Canada Vice President Sales and Product Distribution, at an inaugural ceremony at Vancouver International Airport today. "We are pleased to have the opportunity to build on those links today to further develop Vancouver International Airport's hub potential and foster even closer ties between Canada and China as economic partners and friends."

Flights on the new route will be operated with wide body 284-seat A340 aircraft featuring the airline's acclaimed Executive First and Hospitality service. Customers will be able to enjoy multilingual in-flight entertainment programs in English, French and Mandarin. Customers will also be offered the choice of Chinese and western cuisine.

Air Canada flight AC005 leaves Vancouver at 12:00 p.m. and arrives in Shanghai at 4:45 p.m. the next day. From Shanghai, flight AC006 departs at 6:15 p.m. and arrives in Vancouver at 12:55 p.m. the same day. Flights have been timed to ensure the best possible choice of connecting flights in Vancouver to/from most Canadian and key U.S. points.

To promote the new service, Air Canada is offering double Aeroplan miles or Canadian Plus points when travelling round trip for the first time on the new route. The Aeroplan offer is valid until January 10, 2001, while the Canadian Plus offer is valid for travel until December 31, 2000.

Air Canada provides up to 11 daily transpacific flights from Canada to nine Pacific destinations, including twice daily service to Hong-Kong and up to four flights per day to Japan.