Tag Archives: Toronto

Etihad Airways has begun operating its iconic Airbus A380 on daily flights to Toronto, boosting capacity by 31% and marking a new chapter in the airline’s long-standing commitment to Canada ahead of its 20th anniversary. Etihad’s famous big bird was welcomed with a water-cannon salute at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The upgraded service introduces the unparalleled luxury of Etihad’s flagship A380 aircraft to Canadian skies for the first time. This includes the airline’s award-winning First Apartments and the world’s only three-room suite in the sky, The Residence, offering an exceptional flying experience for guests on the route between Zayed International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport. The increased capacity responds to strong demand for travel between the UAE and Canada, particularly across business, leisure and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) segments. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “We are proud to introduce the A380 and offer guests flying between Abu Dhabi and Canada an extraordinary new travel experience with Etihad. Toronto has been a cornerstone of our North American network since 2005, when we became the first airline from the Gulf region to operate flights to Canada. The introduction of our flagship aircraft on this route reflects our deep commitment to the Canadian market.” Etihad’s A380 features 486 seats across four cabins, including: • The Residence: A private three-room suite with living room, bedroom and ensuite bathroom with shower • First Apartments: 9 fully enclosed suites with personal space, 80-inch lie-flat beds and separate ottoman seat • Business Studios: 70 lie-flat seats with aisle access, premium dining and exclusive access to The Lobby, a serviced lounge in the sky • Economy Smart Seats: 405 seats with …

Etihad Airways announced that its legendary A380 will serve the Abu Dhabi – Toronto route in time for Summer 2025. The famous double-decker will start flying between Zayed Abu Dhabi International (AUH) and Toronto Pearson International (YYZ) on June 24, 2025, perfectly timed for the busy summer travel period and key corporate market. It means the world’s only three-room suite in the sky, serving up the legendary flying experience, is on the way to the land of the maple leaf. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, said: “We’re delighted to start flying our remarkable A380 to Canada, and we know our guests love the onboard experience. Whether they are flying in Economy, Business, First or the three-room suite in the sky, The Residence, they will relish the attentive service from our dedicated crew. The timing and comfort provided by the A380 means they can arrive in Toronto fresh and ready for anything. “Deploying the A380 on the popular Toronto route is a strategic move to meet customer demand for increased capacity while expanding our network. Given Toronto’s popularity among Etihad’s customers, enhancing our capacity in the Canadian market is a logical step. This will strengthen connections to the broader GCC and Indian subcontinent and attract more visitors to experience the vibrant city of Abu Dhabi.” The increase in capacity on the Toronto route gives more opportunity for guests to visit Abu Dhabi, either as a stopover or a destination. Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Stopover programme further enhances connectivity, enabling travellers to extend their layovers into memorable stays with up to two complimentary nights at premium hotels in Abu Dhabi. To celebrate the launch of the A380, Etihad is launching a …

Etihad Airways now flies 42 times a week to North America: twice daily to New York JFK, and daily to Boston, Chicago, Toronto and Washington DC. Etihad starts daily flights to Boston, USA from 01 November, some six months after it opened the Massachusetts route. Guests flying stateside can take advantage of the new US Customs and Border Protection facility at Abu Dhabi, streamlining the immigration process and ensuring a hassle-free journey. Toronto Pearson Airport welcomed the arrival of Etihad Airways’ first Airbus A350 on Sunday, 27 October  2024, marking a further upgrade to the national airline of the UAE’s daily services between Abu Dhabi and Canada. The new aircraft extends the guest experience with its state-of-the-art design and Etihad’s latest cabin interior, representing Etihad’s ongoing commitment to offering a world-class travel experience for passengers flying between Canada and the UAE. Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer Arik De said: “We have seen significant demand on our Boston and Toronto routes. This expanding capacity gives our North American corporate and leisure travelers greater choice and flexibility when planning trips to the UAE and beyond to the Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent.” Etihad’s complimentary stopover programme means travellers can turn their layover into a memorable stay with up to two free nights at premium hotels in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the city’s growing appeal as a must-visit destination. “The introduction of our A350 to Toronto and expanding to daily services to Boston reflect our ambitious growth plans in 2024, set to take another major leap at the end of November when we announce an exciting lineup of new destinations,” said De.

Qatar Airways will launch a new service to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) starting on 11 December 2024, with three weekly non-stop flights from the World’s Best Airport – Hamad International Airport (DOH). As the airline’s fourteenth gateway to the Americas, the new Toronto route marks the airline’s second destination in Canada, joining Montréal which has served more than 1.6 million passengers across seven daily flights to and from Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) since its launch. Operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, equipped with 42 award-winning Qsuite Business Class seats and 312 Economy Class seats, the new Toronto service will provide travellers from Canada and beyond with seamless access to destinations across Qatar Airways’ extensive global network, including Colombo (CMB), Bangkok (BKK), Delhi (DEL), Kathmandu (KTM) and Mumbai (BOM). Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “The Toronto route is a strong and enduring commitment towards providing Qatar Airways’ Canadian customers with the enhanced connectivity they deserve, as well as access to our world-leading service and Qsuite in-flight product. “The addition of a fourteenth gateway to our Americas network is also a testament to our aim in maintaining a key presence across the local market, and cements our reputation as a reliable global connector.” The World’s Best Airline, as voted by Skytrax in 2024, has provided Canada with extensive support and assistance over the years, including contributing critical diplomatic efforts across several challenging issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Qatar Airways also assisted the country by establishing an air bridge to facilitate the repatriation of thousands of Canadians. Qatar Airways currently flies to more than 170 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport (DOH), and …

Following the recently expanded air services agreement between the UAE and Canada, Etihad Airways has announced it will increase flights to Toronto. On 30 May, Etihad Airways will introduce an additional weekly flight between Abu Dhabi and Toronto, on top of its current six-per-week flight schedule, to offer travellers a daily connection. “Etihad is thrilled to begin flying daily between Abu Dhabi and Toronto, which has been one of our busiest routes in 2023 as a result of the rapid recovery and continued growth in travel demand between the UAE and Canada,” said Arik De, Chief Revenue Officer at Etihad Airways. “Our daily service will provide business and leisure travellers, the Canadian diaspora and the large body of students from the UAE enrolled in Canada’s world-class universities with a convenient flight option every day of the week. “We thank the government and civil aviation authorities for laying the groundwork for us to strengthen the air links between our two countries, which are essential for tourism, trade and bilateral relations.” Etihad will this year mark 18 years since it began serving Toronto in October 2005.  The carrier has an interline agreement with WestJet and a codeshare with Air Canada which allow guests to benefit from seamless connectivity in Toronto to more than 15 destinations. Dynamic and cosmopolitan, Toronto is the largest city in Canada and a must-visit destination for its diverse culture, stunning architecture and exciting food scene. Visitors can explore its iconic landmarks such as the CN Tower – one of more than 80 skyscrapers in the city – along with the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario. Abu Dhabi is a world-class tourism destination and offers …

Air Canada is further expanding its service between Dubai and Toronto, with flights initially increasing from four to five times weekly from 31 October 2022. This expansion represents an additional 60% capacity, with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft replacing Boeing 787-9 aircraft on the route. The airline is set to further increase its Dubai to Toronto service from five to six times weekly from 8 January 2023 and then to daily from 26 March 2023. Air Canada flights from Dubai to Toronto are operated with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft that can accommodate 400 passengers, with a choice of three classes of service: Air Canada Signature Class featuring lie-flat seats, Premium Economy and Economy Class. Seats are available for booking at aircanada.com, via the Air Canada App, Air Canada’s Contact Centres and travel agencies. “We are excited to announce this increase in our services between Dubai and Toronto,” said Deepu Cyriac, Air Canada, Country Manager UAE. “These additional frequencies will provide even more flight options for our customers in the UAE and the possibility to connect via our Toronto hub to 69 onward destinations across the Americas. We look forward to welcoming our customers on board.”   Dubai – Toronto Schedule   Flight From Departure To Arrival Frequency Dates of Operation   AC 057   Dubai   01:30   Toronto   07:20 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat Until January 7, 2023   AC 056   Toronto   21:25   Dubai   19:35 (+1) Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun Until January 7, 2023   AC 057   Dubai   01:30   Toronto   07:20 Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun January 8 – March 25, 2023   AC 056   Toronto   21:25   Dubai …

A ceremony for the inaugural flight was held recently at Queen Alia International Airport. Present were Her Excellency The Canadian Ambassador Donica Pottie, RJ Vice Chairman/CEO Samer Majali and Airport International Group CEO Nicolas Claude. RJ Vice Chairman/CEO Samer Majali expressed his pleasure at the addition of Toronto to RJ’s route network, a move that comes in implementation of the airline’s five-year strategy, which includes, among others, growing the fleet and the route network in order to position Amman as the leading gateway for the Levant. Majali said that the new route is bound to attract more tourists to Jordan, facilitate travel for individuals, families, expatriates, Arab communities, students and businessmen, and boost trade between the Jordanian and the Canadian markets. “Furthermore, we are now focusing on bringing in more tourists to Jordan and help boost tourism through providing outstanding quality of service accompanied by our Jordanian hospitality when flying RJ from/to Toronto,” Majali commented. Airport International Group CEO, Nicolas Claude, said: “We are pleased to be inaugurating this new route connecting Amman and Toronto, which aligns with our strategy to expand Queen Alia International Airport routes network, while providing passengers greater travel options and serving new markets. I would like to thank our national carrier, Royal Jordanian, for supporting our commitment to opening new routes, and strengthening our standing as an award-winning gateway to the Levant and the world.”

Emirates A380 will begin serving travellers on flights to Toronto starting August 16, 2020. The airline has so far resumed A380 operations to Amsterdam, Cairo, Paris, London Heathrow and Guangzhou (August 8) – taking its A380 network to six cities. The Emirates A380 experience remains a favourite amongst travellers for its spacious and comfortable cabins and the airline will continue to gradually expand its deployment in line with market demand and operational approvals.Customers can fly the Emirates A380 from Dubai to Toronto five times a week. Emirates flight EK 241 will depart Dubai at 9:10 and arrive in Toronto at 15:05 local time. The return flight, EK 242 will depart Toronto at 21:45 and arrive in Dubai at 18:30 local time, the following day. With safety as a priority, Emirates is gradually expanding its passenger services to 70 cities in August, returning to over 50% of its pre-pandemic destination network. Passengers travelling between the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia Pacific can enjoy safe and convenient connections via Dubai. Customers from Emirates’ network can stop over or travel to Dubai as the city has re-opened for international business and leisure visitors. COVID-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving to Dubai (and the UAE), including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from. Customers can now travel with confidence, as Emirates has committed to cover COVID-19 related medical expenses, free of cost, should they be diagnosed with COVID-19 during their travel while they are away from home. This cover is immediately effective for customers flying on Emirates until 31 October 2020 (first flight to be completed on or before 31 …

Air Canada is expanding its offering to Dubai with the addition of a fourth, weekly non-stop flight from Toronto, to its regular three-times weekly, year-round service. The seasonal flight will operate between November 2, 2018 and January 2019 using a Boeing 777-300, which offers a best-in-class cabin interior, featuring lie-flat Signature Class seats and a dedicated Premium Economy cabin. From Toronto, Air Canada’s global hub, customers can connect to the US destinations with the ability to pre-clear US customs at Pearson Airport. When departing from Toronto, eligible Signature Class customers can enjoy the Air Canada Signature Suite, which features a la carte dining with a menu created by celebrated Canadian Chef David Hawksworth.

Etihad Airways will increase its flights from Abu Dhabi to Canada’s largest city, Toronto, from three to five weekly services from October 28. The flights will be operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, featuring 40 seats in Business Class and 340 in Economy Class. Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “We are thrilled to announce more flights to cosmopolitan Toronto, one of the most successful and popular destinations on our global route network. This news has been eagerly anticipated. We have welcomed well over a million guests on our flights to Toronto since we launched the service almost 13 years ago. This development is great news for UAE nationals, for who Canada is an exciting trade, touristic, and cultural partner, and for Canadians, including the thousands residing here in the emirates. The UAE is also Canada’s largest export market in the MENA region, so the extra services are a boost for trade to and from the area and beyond.” Etihad Airways inaugurated services to Toronto on October 2005, and since then the route has proved very successful for the airline, recording consistently strong demand to and from both cities. Approximately 45,000 Canadian citizens reside in the UAE, with over 150 Canadian companies registered across the country. Citizens of both countries now enjoy visa-free entry for business and tourism on stays of up to six months. Etihad Airways has a codeshare partnership in place with Air Canada, with the Canadian flag carrier placing its ‘AC’ code on Etihad services from Toronto to Abu Dhabi and from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi.