Air Canada is set to restart its seasonal flights connecting Ottawa to London Heathrow, marking an end to a five-year hiatus. The service will recommence on March 31, 2025, operating with four flights per week.
Passengers can expect to fly on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, which are configured to accommodate 298 travelers across three classes: 30 Business, 21 Premium, and 247 Economy seats.
At launch, Air Canada will be the sole airline offering flights from Canada’s capital to the United Kingdom, making it the second carrier after Air France to provide regular services to Europe from Ottawa. Air France operates a daily flight between Ottawa and Paris using a 324-seat Airbus A350-900.
Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President of Revenue and Network Planning at Air Canada, expressed enthusiasm about the route’s return. He noted that London is a key global destination, and Heathrow serves as a primary international gateway. Air Canada is conveniently located alongside its Star Alliance partners in The Queen’s Terminal, allowing for seamless connections to over 30 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa.
Galardo also mentioned plans to introduce new Airbus A321XLR aircraft by late 2025, which may enable more frequent flights and potentially year-round service on the important Ottawa-London route.
Air Canada continues to grow its network from Ottawa, with the seasonal return of the Ottawa-London route coinciding with the airline’s announcement of increased flight frequencies on various other domestic and international routes. By peak season, Air Canada anticipates operating up to 230 flights weekly to and from Ottawa, which includes domestic and transatlantic connections.
The addition of the London route highlights Ottawa’s growing international connectivity, especially to popular destinations in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, and the United States. In 2023, the airport saw a recovery in passenger traffic, hitting nearly 4.1 million travelers, a 36% increase from the previous year.
Ottawa Airport, while recovering from pandemic-related declines, had its highest traffic year in 2018 with over 5.1 million passengers. The airport has been steadily attracting over 4 million passengers annually since 2007, indicating a solid return to pre-pandemic levels.
In summary, the upcoming launch of Air Canada’s seasonal flights to London Heathrow from Ottawa reinforces the airline’s commitment to expanding service options from the capital, catering to travelers seeking to connect between Canada and the UK, and enhancing the overall travel experience through increased connections and capacity.
Key Highlights:
- Air Canada will resume seasonal flights from Ottawa to London Heathrow starting on March 31, 2025, with four weekly flights.
- Flights will be operated on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, featuring 298 passenger seats in three classes.
- This will be the only direct connection from Canada’s capital to the UK, following a five-year suspension.
- The expansion reflects a growing demand and reinforces Air Canada’s position in international markets.
- The airline plans to increase frequency and possibly offer year-round service in the future.
- Ottawa is experiencing a resurgence in air travel, nearing pre-pandemic traffic levels.
