Hey, this is pretty exciting — Air Canada is adding Singapore to its global route network!
In this post:
Air Canada adds Singapore flights in April 2024
As of April 3, 2024, Air Canada will launch a new 4x weekly flight between Vancouver (YVR) and Singapore (SIN). The route will operate with the following schedule:
AC19 Vancouver to Singapore departing 12:15AM arriving 7:10AM (+1 day)
AC20 Singapore to Vancouver departing 9:10AM arriving 8:45AM
The service will operate westbound on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and eastbound on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The 7,967-mile flight is blocked at 15hr55min westbound and 14hr35min eastbound.
Air Canada will use a Boeing 787-9 for this service, featuring 298 seats. This includes 30 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats, and 247 economy seats.
Here’s how Air Canada’s EVP of Revenue and Network Planning, Mark Galardo, describes the new route:
“Air Canada continues to adapt its international network strategy in response to evolving global trends and is broadening its presence in the Indo-Pacific region to capitalize on growing business links and Canada’s changing demographics. We are committed to growing YVR as a premier trans-Pacific hub, and Singapore is a top global financial centre, a multicultural destination that offers an abundance of tourism and food experiences, as well as an important gateway to beyond destinations in Southeast Asia, Southern India and Western Australia.”
My take on Air Canada’s new flight to Singapore
It’s really cool to see how Air Canada is continuing to expand into ultra long haul markets. Among North American airlines, United has historically been in a league of its own when it comes to ultra long haul flying, as it’s an area where American and Delta are barely competing. Air Canada is really starting to give United a run for its money in these kinds of markets.
Air Canada’s schedule for Singapore is well timed for connections in Canada, given the late night departure from Vancouver, plus the morning arrival in Singapore. In the other direction, the morning departure from Singapore will capture some connections, but not all, while the morning arrival in Vancouver is ideal.
For context on the overall service between North America and Singapore:
- Singapore Airlines flies from Los Angeles, New York, Newark, San Francisco, and Seattle, nonstop to Singapore; on top of that, the airline has fifth freedom service from Houston (via Manchester), Los Angeles (via Tokyo), and New York (via Frankfurt)
- United Airlines flies from San Francisco to Singapore; the airline used to fly from Los Angeles to Singapore, but has cut that route
Interestingly during the pandemic, Singapore Airlines launched service to Vancouver, essentially as an intermediate stop on the existing Singapore to Seattle route. However, the airline is axing this route as of October 2023. Prior to that, Singapore Airlines last flew to Canada up until 2009, when the airline operated a Singapore to Seoul Incheon to Vancouver route.
While Air Canada and Singapore Airlines both belong to the Star Alliance, I think Air Canada might have more luck with this service, given the carrier’s larger customer base in Canada.
Bottom line
Air Canada will be launching a new 4x weekly flight between Vancouver and Singapore as of April 2024. This will be the first time that Air Canada flies nonstop from Canada to Singapore, and this will also be the only nonstop service between the two countries.
It’s always fun to see new ultra long haul routes added, so hopefully Air Canada is able to make the economics of this work.
What do you make of Air Canada’s new Singapore service?
They really need to do a YVR to MNL flight.
AC needs to improve its long haul product. For example, the quality of the food on the HKG YVR route is terrible and the some of the aircraft could do with an overhaul of the interiors. 14 plus hours on a dirty crowded 20 year old 777 is not going to build you a loyal customer base.
Probably best to go to SEA and get SQ.
The service on AC is lackluster to say the least. A national disgrace !!!
I think it's awesome! Not having to transit through the US to get to Singapore is a huge bonus, no matter the airline. With a few exceptions (SQ, CX & EX perhaps) AC is quite good compared to most other airlines - I've flown far worse!!
Steve C, you must have been on a similar flight I was just on from Sydney to Vancouver with grumpy men feeling it was beneath them to provide great service to the customer that supports their wages and benefits. Two male attendants were cheeky about helping to turn off blowing air (did not do it) and provide a flashlight or alternative to a couple sorting out their bills. All the lights above were not working...
Steve C, you must have been on a similar flight I was just on from Sydney to Vancouver with grumpy men feeling it was beneath them to provide great service to the customer that supports their wages and benefits. Two male attendants were cheeky about helping to turn off blowing air (did not do it) and provide a flashlight or alternative to a couple sorting out their bills. All the lights above were not working in numerous seats. Bathrooms were disgusting. Food was suspect.
Interesting that Vancouver to Sydney was a great flight with wonderful women as attendants who were happy to serve and the food was delicious, water came through the cabin and th bathrooms were clean. I did provide feedback on a survey with no response to 4 and 6 hour delays and one cancellation of a flight on the return to Edmonton.
No thanks for AC's "service"!! It's so sad to see SQ ending this service again - flew on SQ directly to Singapore last fall - the 15.5 hrs didn't seem long - thanks to the wonderful crew and service onboard!
I flew on SQ to SIN and back. Service is #1. If you flew in AC within Canada and US, one can feel the difference already. I flew from YVR-Neward-YVR in May 2023, the toilet was in terrible condition given it's only a 5 hour flight. I can't imagine a 16 hour flight to SIN. Another frequent occurance, AC is always delay.
Echoing what plenty others have stated: I'd rather pay a premium and fly SQ than make do with AC's substandard product, service, and attitude.
Agree. Would prefer Singapore Airlines and as they are both Star Alliance, I wonder about the logic. So many Star Alliance flights from the US to Singapore now.
Yeah no thanks.
Garbage airline. Can already see the endless delays.
How about Air Canada to Manila direct ?
It's good to have more Asia flight options out of N. America.
Smart move for AC. I expect loads will be decent. From points travellers, they'll get very few points for economy travel, and usurious redemption prices for Premium Economy and Business. Moreover, the connecting traffic originating in Asia will be nontrivial. Canada has dramatically increased immigration targets post-pandemic and the #1 country supplying immigrants to Canada every year is Philippines. Other major sources of immigrants to Canada include China, Hong Kong. Vietnam has a significant diaspora...
Smart move for AC. I expect loads will be decent. From points travellers, they'll get very few points for economy travel, and usurious redemption prices for Premium Economy and Business. Moreover, the connecting traffic originating in Asia will be nontrivial. Canada has dramatically increased immigration targets post-pandemic and the #1 country supplying immigrants to Canada every year is Philippines. Other major sources of immigrants to Canada include China, Hong Kong. Vietnam has a significant diaspora in Canada. Filling those planes will be easy when Canadians go to Expedia and Aircanada.com to look up economy fares and AC's schedule is easiest. Flying away from Canada without connecting in USA is a very easy sell for inexperienced travellers.
This is just another reminder that SE Asia is gaining as HKG and China lose their role in N. America aviation.
As for the comment about that AA and DL don't compete in ultra long haul flying, DL's JNB and CPT flights block at more than 16 hours year round while ATL and DTW-ICN do so for 4 months or more of the year.
And Delta is doing that with just 2 of...
This is just another reminder that SE Asia is gaining as HKG and China lose their role in N. America aviation.
As for the comment about that AA and DL don't compete in ultra long haul flying, DL's JNB and CPT flights block at more than 16 hours year round while ATL and DTW-ICN do so for 4 months or more of the year.
And Delta is doing that with just 2 of the highest takeoff weight A350-900s - but that number will grow by 7 within the next year and 9 more in the year after that - unless Delta converts some to A350-1000s and add even more copies as latest rumors say will happen at the Paris Air Show; the A350-1000 is currently the longest range jet in the world. Other sites say Delta is hiring Hindi speaking flight attendants confirming that a return to India is on DL's horizon; since DL has had a preference for Mumbai over Delhi, JFK-BOM would easily be a 17+ hour flight - requiring the most capable A350s.
And AA intentionally deferred some of its 787 deliveries in order to get Boeing's increased performance package which will probably be available in a couple years.
UA might be leading US carriers in ULH flights but the balance will change.
Since AA, UA and AC all are using B787s, it will not only be refreshing but also might open up significant competitive advantages for DL to be the only N. American carrier using the A350 across the Pacific.
I wish SQ continue to fly direct to YVR in the future. AC is not known for their in flight service and the toilets will definitely be dirty compared to SQ
I will stick with SQ flying from Seattle to Singapore, 17 hours of poor AC service, & gumpy staff who think that they should be elsewhere. No Thankyou
Can you imagine subjecting yourself to 16hrs of AC's in-flight "service"?
That's a 'no' from me, Dawg.
I am so happy with this direct flight from Singapore to Canada. Can’t wait to try it with Air Canada!!! Will definitely use it every year as my hubby is from Vancouver
Always happy to have another route to Asia! The mention of connections to other places in Asia/Australia got me thinking—I highly doubt this, but does AC intend to sell tickets with connections on SQ?
BKK & now SIN, excellent move especially when most North American carriers have given up on South East Asia with the exception of UA (SIN)…
On another topic Lucky, but have you seen this new space at Brussels Airport: https://altitude.brusselsairport.be/