Air Canada to launch only Montréal-Phoenix winter non-stop flights; Double
daily Toronto-Phoenix flights next winter

MONTREAL, May 4 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced that it will introduce the only Montréal-Phoenix non-stop flights Saturdays and Sundays between November 6, 2010 and April 30, 2011 in time for planning vacations next winter. Flights are timed to offer travellers convenient connections to/from Ottawa, Québec City, Saint John, Fredericton, Halifax and Charlottetown.

In addition, Air Canada is adding a daily winter seasonal flight between October 1, 2010 and April 30, 2011 to its existing year-round daily Toronto-Phoenix service. During the winter Air Canada also operates daily Calgary-Phoenix service.

"Air Canada is solidifying its position as the leading carrier to Arizona by increasing capacity by close to 50 per cent in 2011 to this popular destination," said Marcel Forget Vice-President, Network Planning, Air Canada. "These additional flights to the U.S. allow Air Canada to offer customers even more choice as the leading transborder carrier between Canada and the U.S. and the Number One foreign carrier flying to the United States -- with the most flights per day to more destinations in the U.S. than any other international airline."

"Canada represents our fastest-growing international market, and we welcome Air Canada's decision to invest in additional air service at Phoenix Sky Harbor," said Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. "Phoenix would like to thank the Canada Arizona Business Council for its support of this important new service. Additional non-stop service between Canada and Arizona only strengthens the business and cultural ties between our regions."

Flights between Phoenix-Montréal and Phoenix-Toronto are timed to make convenient connections with other flights in Air Canada's extensive domestic and international network including London, Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt, Copenhagen and Geneva.

    
    Montréal-Phoenix Saturdays - Sundays November 6, 2010 - April 30, 2011
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        Flight                   Depart                      Arrival
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    AC 1281                 Montréal at 08:05           Phoenix at 11:40
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    AC 1282                 Phoenix at 12:20            Montréal at 18:56
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    Toronto-Phoenix daily year-round
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        Flight                   Depart                      Arrival
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    AC 589                  Toronto at 08:30            Phoenix at 11:19
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    AC 590                  Phoenix at 12:05            Toronto at 18:10
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    Toronto-Phoenix daily October 1, 2010 - April 30, 2011
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        Flight                   Depart                      Arrival
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    AC 1289                 Toronto at 18:30            Phoenix at 21:19
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    AC 1290                 Phoenix at 08:00            Toronto at 14:05
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    Calgary-Phoenix daily October 31, 2010 - May 28, 2011
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        Flight                   Depart                      Arrival
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    AC 1286                 Calgary at 09:15            Phoenix at 12:18
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    AC 1287                 Phoenix at 13:05            Calgary at 16:16
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

The carrier will operate the Montréal and Toronto services using newly refurbished 120-seat Airbus A319 aircraft in a two-cabin configuration offering a choice of Executive Class and Economy service. The A319 jets feature Air Canada's personal entertainment system with 8.9-inch wide digital in-seat monitors and touch-screen controls offering hours of audio and video on demand programming at every seat. Other features include in-seat power within reach of every customer. The Calgary service is operated using 93-seat Embraer E190 aircraft a choice of Executive Class and Economy service, free personal audio-video entertainment at every seat and a choice of hours of audio and video on demand.

In 2009, Air Canada won four top honours in Business Traveler magazine's "Best in Business Travel" annual reader survey: "Best Flight Attendants in North America," "Best In-flight Services in North America," "Best North America Airline for Business Class Service," and "Best North American Airline for International Travel." In 2009 as well, the readers of Global Travel magazine voted Air Canada "Best Airline in Canada" and "Best Airline in North America."

Air Canada offers more non-stop flights on more routes between the Canada and the United States than any other carrier, operating with its regional affiliate Jazz around 400 non-stop flights per day on 104 routes to and from six Canadian and 58 U.S. airports.

Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 171 destinations on five continents. Canada's flag carrier is the 13th largest commercial airline in the world and serves 31 million customers annually. Air Canada has an extensive global network, with hubs in four major Canadian cities (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary), providing scheduled passenger service directly to 59 Canadian cities, 58 destinations in the United States and 60 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. As well, customers can collect Aeroplan miles for future rewards through Canada's leading loyalty program Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, providing the world's most comprehensive air transportation network for Canadian domestic, transborder and international travel. Through its strategic and commercial arrangements with Star Alliance(TM) partner airlines (www.staralliance.com), Air Canada offers service to 1,077 destinations in 175 countries and provides reciprocal top tier frequent flyer benefits.

For further information: Isabelle Arthur (Montréal), [phone]; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto), [phone]; Angela Mah (Vancouver), [phone]; Internet: aircanada.com