Air China & Air Canada to launch Beijing-Montreal service

Air China will partner with Air Canada to launch non-stop flights between Beijing and Montreal this fall, creating the first direct air link between the city and Asia.

Beginning Sept. 29, the flights will be operated by Air China with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft initially three times a week on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, and Air Canada will place its code on the flights for sale on a codeshare basis in a first phase.

In the second phase (subject to approvals), Air Canada and Air China intend to form a comprehensive revenue sharing joint venture in respect of all flights between China and Canada, which would ensure the long-term sustainability of the new Beijing-Montreal service.

The launch of the service will offer convenient connections and seamless transfers for customers to other cities in China, Canada and the United States via their hubs in Beijing and Montreal.

The announcement comes after the two carriers signed a memorandum of understanding last November, setting out the principles for an integrated revenue sharing joint venture, which is expected to come into effect in the second half of 2015.