Air Canada has added a surprising new destination in China, with the carrier announcing that from May next year it will provide nonstop flights from Vancouver (YVR) to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). This marks the airline’s third Chinese gateway after Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Beijing Capital Airport (PEK). The airline announced this new route as part of a wider Summer 2027 network plan that adds a range of new European destinations from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YVR) and Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL).

The new route to Guangzhou will add to the growing trans-Pacific hub on Canada’s west coast, and its year-round link to Guangzhou will be operated by the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner three times a week. Flights will depart on a Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday westbound, and Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the return.

14 Asia Pacific Destinations And Counting Nonstop From Vancouver

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Air Canada’s move to add Guangzhou as its latest long-haul addition from Vancouver will complement the robust network of services to Asia and Oceania from its West Coast hub. Alongside Guangzhou, Air Canada will add New Chitose Airport (CTS) from December this year over the popular winter ski and snowboarding season, with Japan’s Hokkaido region a mecca for winter sports enthusiasts.

This September alone, close to 60 weekly long-haul flights depart from Vancouver to destinations across Asia and Oceania, with the airline’s biggest market being that of China, where there are daily flights to Shanghai and Beijing (seven each), and with the addition of Guangzhou, this will increase to 17 weekly flights to the Chinese mainland.

As mentioned, flights between Vancouver and Guangzhou will begin on May 4 and operate year-round on the schedule below, as detailed on the airline’s website.

A Deep Dive Into Trans-Pacific Operations At Vancouver

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Air Canada is by far the largest international operator of trans-Pacific flights to Asia and Oceania from Vancouver. The airline maintains a widebody fleet and serves as the gateway for several nonstop services from the region. As mentioned previously, the largest market is that of China, with daily services already operating to Shanghai and Beijing.

The next largest market is that of Japan, with daily services to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT), and four weekly flights to Osaka International Airport (KIX). The addition of Sapporo from December with a thrice-weekly service. Other key markets include Seoul (ICN) flying daily, Hong Kong (HKG) with six weekly flights, Manila (MNL) with a twice-weekly rotation, and Singapore (SIN), also twice weekly. Full snapshot below for operations this September with data from Cirium, an online aviation analytics company.

Historically, Air Canada has also had several other nonstop flights from Vancouver which have otherwise been shelved, including Melbourne, Taipei, Nagoya, Delhi, and Dubai.

Why Did Air Canada Decide To Fly To Guangzhou?

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Many may wonder why Air Canada decided on Guangzhou as its next Asian gateway. The route is already served by Chinese carrier China Southern with multiple weekly flights.

Passengers will enjoy the 787, with Air Canada Signature, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins on the new route, and the airline will extend its Chinese reach as part of a wider international expansion aimed at capturing high-margin global traffic.

Air Canada will become the only North American airline serving Guangzhou, a region known for manufacturing and high-tech innovation.