Air Canada to launch seasonal MEL flights!

[soorox]

Finally AC has bitten the bullet and has decided to launch MEL-YVR services! Come on guys, if we want to make this a year round service, we gotta start booking !

Starting on 01DEC to 04FEB, AC will offer x4 weekly MEL-YVR services using it's 789's.

Schedule:
AC37 YVR 2245 - 0945+2 MEL x247
AC38 MEL 1140 - 0730 YVR x246

Air Canada Adds Six New Routes to Australia, South America, Caribbean and USA - May 3, 2017

 

[bosox76]

That's great news. I guess it's time to start sending some love towards Star Alliance members.

 

[Oxy]

Now the next question, when are VA going to update their information regarding the partnership they announced with AC? Early 2017 has well and truly passed, we are nearly at the half way mark. If I new I could earn SC and get lounge access I would book today. They have provided nothing since a vague announcement on December 15.

 

[jgm]

It appears to be mainly for canucks escaping the winter for Christmas. It finishes too early to pick up Australian skiers going the other way.

 

[docjames]

It appears to be mainly for canucks escaping the winter for Christmas. It finishes too early to pick up Australian skiers going the other way.

One wonders if they will extend if the initial ex-Canada bookings are solid? they also probably need to do a deal to put a VA code on the flight.

 

[flipstardirect]

Hopefully they extend. No matter the flight duration, I prefer my direct flights. Get that demand going!

 

[draper]

Just jumped ship from Qantas to Air Canada to use to this direct offering from Melbourne.
Have flown the various Qantas to Vancouver offerings most winters for the ski season in Y Y+ and J (as I get older the comfort factor kicks in).
The seasonal Qantas Sydney to Vancouver flight was great to get over there, even the leg up from Melbourne was easy as baggage through checked to YVR, unfortunately the flights home outside the short December / January seasonal flights always entailed a transit through LAX which has never been an easy day when travelling from the Ski fields via YVR .
My only dread with Air Canada is their terrible terrible Y seats and density on both the 777 and 787.
Have used their 787 Y+ seats on their internal flights and found them to be comfortable.
Their J product on the newer 787 looks OK and have booked this for December out of Melbourne - + The cost was heaps cheaper than Qantas SYD to YVR seasonal fare - approximately the same if via LAX -
The return trip out of YVR will be out of the DEC / Jan seasonal period so the option will be via Brisbane 787 or Sydney 777 to link with a domestic to melbourne.
Will take the Brisbane 787 option as this will in my opinion offer a better long haul experience.
Interesting to note that I was able to book a combination of fare types on the Air Canada site with no penalty. For a Family member booked Y on the direct service to YVR from melbourne (to test the terrible seats) and Y+ on the return leg (787 into Brisbane) - have booked J for myself in both directions.
Only wish is that Qantas takes note of AC push into Melbourne and hopefully may look at giving those of us who choose to live in Melbourne a direct MEL to YVR service with a spare (?) 787 or 2.
Always direct direct direct over any transit - I don't care if the lounge offerings are better on a transit - a direct service wins hands down every time.