Air Canada begins new direct service between Toronto and Dubai

Air Canada has started a new non-stop thrice-weekly service between Toronto and Dubai with the first flight departing on Tuesday from the Canadian city.

The new route will be operated using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner featuring the airline’s new interior design in a three-class configuration, including lie-flat seats in business class, a premium economy cabin and upgraded in-flight entertainment.

Flights from Toronto will depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while return flights from Dubai will depart on Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays.

The new route launch comes at a time of increased travel between North America and the Middle East, said president of Passenger Airlines at Air Canada Benjamin Smith.

“It also underscores Air Canada’s commitment to its international expansion strategy, with its focus on transforming its Toronto Pearson hub into a convenient global connecting point for travel throughout the airline’s extensive and expanding international, transborder and domestic networks,” he added.

Since December 2014, Air Canada and Air Canada rouge have announced new international services to Dubai, Delhi, Brisbane, Lyon, London-Gatwick, Casablanca, Prague, Budapest, Glasgow and Warsaw.

The Canadian airline currently offers scheduled direct passenger services to 63 airports in Canada, 52 in the United States and 86 across the rest of the world.

“The Maple Leaf has launched and we are very pleased to welcome Air Canada to Dubai International,” said chief executive officer of Dubai Airports Paul Griffiths.

“This new service operating thrice weekly between Toronto and Dubai will offer greater choice and added convenience to our customers. It is sure to strengthen our network, grow traffic and increase trade and tourism between Canada and the United Arab Emirates.”

Air Canada will compete with Emirates, which offers direct A380 services to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport three times per week.