Air Canada Boosts Winter Service to Latin America and Europe!

Air Canada is expanding its international network for winter 2026, adding new service to South America, strengthening European routes and introducing its newest aircraft type into more markets.

The expansion includes brand new Dreamliner flights to Quito, increased widebody service across South America, new non-stop routes from Calgary to Mexico and year-round growth from Toronto to Europe.

Here is what Canadian travellers need to know.

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Dreamliner Service to Quito Launches This December

Beginning in December 2026, Air Canada will introduce new service to Quito, Ecuador.

The new routes will operate:

• Montreal to Quito three times weekly
• Toronto to Quito once weekly

Both routes will be operated by the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, featuring Air Canada’s three cabin configuration including Signature Class with lie-flat seating, Premium Economy and Economy Class.

This marks an important addition to the airline’s South American network and provides wide-body comfort on a new market for both Montreal and Toronto travellers.

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Expanded South America Service

Air Canada is also increasing capacity to several key South American destinations.

The airline will resume flights to Rio de Janeiro and Lima earlier in the season and increase frequencies to both cities. Its recently launched Montreal to Santiago route will continue operating, further strengthening connectivity to Chile.

In addition, flights to Bogota will operate on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, giving travellers access to Signature Class lie-flat seating on the Colombia route.

Overall, the airline is deploying more wide-body aircraft across Latin America, adding additional premium capacity for the winter season.

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Calgary Gains Non-Stop Mexico Service

Western Canada will also see new growth!

Starting in December 2026, Air Canada will launch non-stop service from Calgary to:

• Cancun four times weekly
• Puerto Vallarta three times weekly

These flights will be operated by the Airbus A321XLR, Air Canada’s newest fleet type.

Notably, the A321XLR will be the airline’s first narrow body aircraft to offer Signature Class lie-flat seats. This brings a true premium cabin option to select leisure focused routes and expands premium availability from Calgary.

Air Canada has also indicated that the A321XLR will create opportunities to launch additional international routes thanks to its extended range, while also being used on select domestic markets.

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Toronto to Manchester and Copenhagen Go Year Round

Air Canada is also converting its Toronto to Manchester and Toronto to Copenhagen routes to year round service beginning in October 2026.

This move strengthens Toronto’s transatlantic network and provides additional flexibility for travellers planning fall and winter trips to Europe.

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Also Launching This Winter: Vancouver to Sapporo

This announcement follows last month’s news that Air Canada will launch the only non-stop flights from North America to Sapporo, Japan, operating three times weekly from Vancouver starting this December.

The new route provides direct access to Hokkaido’s winter activities and ski destinations.

We have already covered that launch in detail and you can read our full breakdown of the Vancouver to Sapporo service here.

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Final Thoughts

Air Canada’s latest winter expansion reflects continued demand for international travel, with added capacity to Latin America, year round growth to Europe and the introduction of new aircraft offering enhanced cabin options.

For Canadian travellers, this means more non-stop routes, more flexibility and expanded premium cabin availability across key global markets.