Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
A MAJOR airline is to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America.
Air Canada has announced a service linking Edinburgh and Montreal beginning later this year.
The new route marks the only connection between Scotland and Canada’s second-largest city.
The service will operate three times a week between June 27 and September 7.
Flights will depart Edinburgh each Tuesday, Friday and Sunday morning, arriving into Canada’s cultural hub in just over seven hours.
On the return, flights depart Montreal each Monday, Thursday and Saturday evening, before arriving at Edinburgh Airport the next morning.
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The airline's 737 MAX 8 fleet features 16 seats in Premium Economy and 153 in Economy, with personal touchscreen TVs at every seat.
Situated in the French-speaking province of Quebec, Montreal offers travellers a wealth of leading attractions.
Visitors can explore landmarks such as the Notre-Dame Basilica, walk along the historic Old Port, and savour the city’s world-famous bagels and poutine.
Air Canada will operate a total of 75 weekly flights between the UK and Canada this summer, with routes from London Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh to cities including Calgary, Halifax, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.
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Margaret Skinner, Air Canada's Senior Director of Sales EMEAI, said: "With just days to go until the start of the summer season, we are extremely excited to be announcing another new transatlantic route from the UK to our home hub, Montreal.
"Edinburgh has always been an important market for Air Canada, thanks to strong business, tourism, and cultural ties between Scotland and Canada, so we are proud to be expanding our presence in the market by adding a second route for 2025.
"With up to 75 weekly flights between the UK and Canada this summer, we are proud to be the largest airline in the market, offering customers not only convenient connections to Canada, but also seamless transfers onto our global network of destinations in the US, Mexico, Caribbean and South America."
Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: "This is a fantastic addition to our North America connectivity, and we are delighted that Air Canada is adding more options from Scotland’s busiest airport.
"We see continued demand for direct links between Canada and Scotland, and that demand is both inbound and outbound, demonstrating the attractiveness of Edinburgh and Scotland to an international audience as well as the excitement people here have for a country we have strong bonds with.
"This addition is also a big vote of confidence from Air Canada in Edinburgh’s market, and we look forward to welcoming this new route later this summer."