Air Canada has marked a significant milestone by relaunching its direct flight route between London Heathrow and Ottawa, Canada’s capital city.
This revived service signifies a crucial step in strengthening ties between the UK and Canada.
Notably, it stands as the sole direct flight connecting these two capital cities, offering unparalleled convenience for travellers.
Resumption of London-Ottawa Route
The inaugural flight, AC889, took off from Heathrow’s Terminal 2 at 14:05, following a celebratory send-off. The flight touched down in Ottawa at 16:25 local time. It marks the beginning of a regular service that will operate four times weekly throughout the summer season.
Passengers can expect flights departing London every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday afternoon. The flight time for the service is just over seven hours. The return journey departs Ottawa on the same days, but in the evening, arriving in London the following morning.
This service, available until October 25, 2025, will be operated by Air Canada’s modern Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Passengers can enjoy a range of cabin options, including luxurious lie-flat seats in Business Class. This is complemented by a spacious Premium Economy, and comfortable Economy cabins.
Leadership Perspectives
Mark Galardo, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President, Revenue & Network Planning and President, Cargo, expressed his enthusiasm for the route’s revival. “We are thrilled to resume our Ottawa trans-Atlantic services.”
“It links Canada’s capital city and London Heathrow, a globally significant travel destination and international gateway.”
He emphasized the route’s role in supporting international business, tourism, and personal connections. “We are proud to be supporting international business and corporate travel, tourism, plus people visiting friends and family, and look forward to welcoming customers onboard.”
Ross Baker, Heathrow’s Chief Customer Officer, spoke of Heathrow’s commitment to expanding global connectivity. “Heathrow is committed to offering passengers more choices than ever when it comes to traveling the world.”
“We are always looking to expand our global reach in collaboration with our airline partners. The launch of Air Canada’s new route to Canada’s capital demonstrates how the world’s most-connected airport is becoming even more connected.”
Exploring Ottawa
Ottawa, nestled between Toronto and Montreal, is a city rich in culture. It is renowned for its access to the stunning Ontarian outdoors. The city’s location on the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, adds to its appeal.
Established as Canada’s capital in 1857, Ottawa has evolved into a vibrant metropolis. It features a walkable downtown area, abundant parks, diverse restaurants, and numerous museums and galleries.
Key attractions include the architectural marvel of the Canadian Parliament Buildings and the annual Canadian Tulip Festival in May, the world’s largest of its kind.
This summer, Air Canada will operate up to 63 weekly flights between Heathrow and Canada, offering direct flights to Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and now, Ottawa.
Beyond these major cities, the airline provides seamless connections to smaller cities across Canada, as well as to destinations in the US, Caribbean, South America, and Mexico.
A significant advantage for travellers flying through Air Canada’s hubs to the US is the US customs preclearance.
This allows passengers to complete all US immigration and customs formalities before departure, enabling them to arrive in the US as domestic passengers, streamlining their travel experience.
This new route not only provides a direct link between two significant capital cities, but also opens up a wealth of travel possibilities for both business and leisure travellers.
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