The new Air Canada United routes will provide additional nonstop connections and access to connecting services through major North American hubs. Air Canada will also deploy larger aircraft between Edmonton and San Francisco to increase capacity.
The announcement follows nearly three decades of cooperation between the two airlines. Their joint business agreement has supported the introduction of 20 new Canada-U.S. routes since 2022.
Air Canada adds three U.S. routes from Canadian airports
Air Canada will introduce nonstop service between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on 28 April 2027.
The seasonal route will operate until 31 October 2027, with frequencies increasing to daily service in May.
From 1 June, the airline will launch daily flights between Montréal-Trudeau International Airport and Indianapolis International Airport. The service will operate until 30 September 2027.
Also beginning 1 June, Air Canada will connect Edmonton International Airport with Newark Liberty International Airport four times weekly. The Edmonton-Newark route will operate until 17 October 2027, providing direct access to the New York metropolitan area. Passengers will also have access to onward connections through United Airlines’ Newark hub.
Additionally, Air Canada will increase capacity on its existing Edmonton-San Francisco route by introducing the larger Airbus A220.
The aircraft deployment forms part of the airlines’ broader efforts to increase capacity and improve connectivity between regional Canadian markets and U.S. destinations.
Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President, Cargo at Air Canada, commented on the expansion. “Air Canada and United’s long-standing partnership continues to deliver meaningful results for our customers and communities. For nearly three decades, Air Canada and United have worked to facilitate seamless travel and strengthen connectivity between Canada and the United States. Together, since 2022, we have jointly unlocked over 5 million new transborder seats, and in this spirit, Air Canada will soon add new non-stop travel options from Toronto, Montréal and Edmonton for our customers to reach a broader range of global markets”.
Galardo added: “From Louisville and Indianapolis to Newark, we are giving customers more ways to travel directly to U.S. destinations, together with convenient connections across United’s extensive U.S. network.”
United Airlines expands services to Canadian destinations
United Airlines will introduce three new Canada-U.S. routes during the summer 2027 season. The carrier will launch seasonal nonstop flights between Newark and St. John’s, restoring direct connectivity between Newfoundland and Labrador and the New York region. United will also introduce new services from Denver International Airport to Ottawa and Québec City.
New Air Canada U.S. Routes For Summer 2027
| Flight | From | To | Depart | Arrive | Days of Operation | Season |
| AC8561 | Toronto | Louisville | 14:00 | 15:35 | Up to Daily | April 28, 2027 – Oct. 31, 2027 |
| AC8562 | Louisville | Toronto | 16:10 | 17:37 | ||
| AC8563 | Montréal | Indianapolis | 17:00 | 19:31 | Daily | June 1, 2027 – Sept. 30, 2027 |
| AC8564 | Indianapolis | Montréal | 14:00 | 16:10 | ||
| AC1562 | Edmonton | Newark | 06:00 | 12:23 | Four times weekly | June 1, 2027 – Oct. 17, 2027 |
| AC1563 | Newark | Edmonton | 13:20 | 16:33 |
In addition, the airline will increase frequencies between Washington Dulles International Airport and Québec City. Daily seat capacity between Denver and Winnipeg will rise by 65%.
The expanded schedule will improve access to United’s domestic and international network through Newark, Denver and Washington Dulles.
Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances at United Airlines, said: “Canada is an incredibly important part of United’s international network, and our partnership with Air Canada has made it easier for families and friends to stay connected, supported economic growth, and created new opportunities to explore unique destinations. Our schedule has grown every year since our transborder agreement was signed in 2022, and the new routes and flights we’re announcing today further underscore our commitment to investing in Canada and making travel between our two countries easier”.
The additional services extend United’s Canadian network beyond the country’s largest aviation gateways. They also increase transborder connectivity for regional centres serving business, leisure and visiting-friends-and-relatives markets.
Joint business agreement supports 1,200 connecting itineraries
Air Canada and United Airlines have operated under their Transborder Joint Business Agreement since 2022. According to the carriers, the partnership has supported 20 new routes and more than 4.3 million jointly carried passengers. Together, the airlines serve 10 Canadian gateways and offer more than 1,200 connecting itineraries.
Approximately two million passengers connecting to or from the United States use Air Canada’s domestic network annually through the partnership. The arrangement supports air services benefiting more than 50 Canadian communities.
Beyond their principal hubs, the partnership supports direct transborder connections from Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Ottawa, Québec City, Regina, St. John’s and Winnipeg.
Passengers can access coordinated schedules and integrated through-fares across eligible connecting itineraries.
According to the airlines, integrated fares can offer savings compared with purchasing individual flight segments separately. Coordinated schedules also provide additional departure options, connections and flexibility when travel disruptions occur.
Air Canada and United have agreed to renew and expand the joint business agreement.
Canadian airports respond to expanded U.S. connectivity
Airport authorities across Canada have welcomed the announced routes and capacity increases.
James Jackson, Vice President, Air Service and Business Development at Edmonton International Airport (YEG), addressed the new Newark connection. “Air Canada’s investment in new non-stop service between Edmonton and New York City, via Newark Liberty International Airport, is a significant win for our region. This route opens the door to one of the world’s most important business, financial and cultural centres, creating new opportunities for tourism and trade while making it easier for people and businesses to connect. We’re thankful for Air Canada’s continued commitment to YEG and to the people, businesses and communities we serve,”
Karl Brochu, Vice President, Airport Operations and Air Services Development at ADM Aéroports de Montréal, commented on the Indianapolis route. “ADM Aéroports de Montréal is pleased to announce the addition of this route to Indianapolis, offered by our partner Air Canada. This new route to one of the major economic hubs of the U.S. Midwest will make travel easier for both business travellers and tourists. The addition of Indianapolis allows YUL to enhance its travel routes to strategic destinations throughout North America,”
The new United Airlines services also generated responses from airport executives in Québec City, St. John’s, Winnipeg and Ottawa.
Stéphane Poirier, President and CEO of Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB), said: “Today’s announcements are a game changer for Québec City. A new direct link to Denver, year-round service to Chicago, and five weekly flights to Washington Dulles are exactly the kind of connections our tourism industry and business community need to thrive. Results like these are a direct reflection of the strength of the partnership between Air Canada and United Airlines, and of the confidence both carriers have in our market. We are proud to see that commitment translate into real, tangible benefits for our region,”
Québec City’s expanded connectivity includes the Denver route, year-round Chicago services and five weekly Washington Dulles flights.
Dennis Hogan, Chief Executive Officer of St. John’s International Airport, addressed the restoration of direct service to Newark. “We are thrilled with United Airlines’ announcement to re-connect YYT and Newark for the first time in more than a decade.” Hogan added: “Re-establishing non-stop service to the eastern U.S. seaboard is a strategic priority for our airport and represents a significant air access milestone. This route, made possible through the Transborder Joint Business Agreement between Air Canada and United Airlines, will enhance both business and leisure travel and unlock an extensive onward network of travel options.”
In Winnipeg, airport management highlighted the additional capacity planned for Denver services.
Nick Hays, President and CEO of Winnipeg Airports Authority, said: “The renewal of the Transborder Joint Business Agreement between Air Canada and United Airlines, together with a 65 per cent increase in Denver service, will provide Manitobans with greater choice, improved connectivity and added convenience when travelling,”
Joel Tkach, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for the Ottawa International Airport Authority, commented on United’s Denver announcement. “United Airlines’ decision to launch non-stop service between Ottawa and Denver marks an exciting expansion of their presence at YOW.” He added: “Denver becomes United’s fourth destination from Canada’s Capital, further strengthening their role as Air Canada’s partner and as a key contributor to our U.S. connectivity. This new route enhances options for travellers and reinforces United’s importance in linking Ottawa–Gatineau to major hubs across the United States.”
The Summer 2027 expansion covers six newly announced routes and additional capacity on existing services.
The airlines’ proposed joint business agreement renewal remains subject to regulatory approval from Transport Canada.
Tags: Patrick Quayle United Airlines Mark Galardo Air Canada
