Air Canada is going bigger for its direct flights between Victoria and Toronto.
The airline is bringing a Boeing 767-300ER to the route, which will be the largest aircraft on the Victoria International Airport’s regular schedule. Air Canada Rouge, a wholly owned subsidiary, will operate the flight.
“Our Victoria-Toronto non-stop flights have traditionally been very popular and, starting this summer, we’re increasing our capacity on this popular route by up to 65 per cent in the peak July travel period,” Air Canada spokeswoman Angela Mah said in an email.
The shift may also mean fewer comforts for passengers, with slightly narrower seats, less leg room and shallower reclines in economy class.
Air Canada currently offers a daily 6 a.m. flight from Victoria to Toronto, typically aboard a
200-seat Airbus 321, said Victoria International Airport spokesman James Bogusz.
Economy seats in the Airbus A321 have a seat width of 45.3 centimetres, seat pitch of between 79 and 89 centimetres and seat recline of 11.4 centimetres.
Air Canada Rouge’s Boeing 767 includes 258 economy-class seats and 24 premium seats. Economy seats are 44.5 centimetres wide with a 76-centimetre pitch and 7.6-centimetre recline. Seat pitch is the distance from any point on one seat to the same point on the seat in front or behind.
The airport authority has been told that beginning May 1, the departure time from Victoria will shift to 11:35 a.m. On June 24, the departure time will change to 11:55 a.m. Departure times are subject to change as Air Canada finalizes its schedule.
“From the airport authority’s perspective, we’re thrilled that Air Canada’s service continues to grow here. Although it’s not a new flight, it’s increased capacity, which is great,” Bogusz said.
He said the later time will help reduce some of the morning rush to the security line at the airport.
Air Canada operates the only year-round direct flight to Toronto, he said.
WestJet offers direct flights over the summer and up to three flights per day at peak times.
Bogusz said there were no other major changes announced for the coming months.
“There’s nothing currently announced that we’re aware of, but we’re watching closely what’s happening with some of the ultra low-cost airlines like NewLeaf and Canada Jetlines,” Bogusz said.
In November, NewLeaf suspended service to Victoria, and said it would return this year. But Victoria was not part of NewLeaf’s summer schedule announced two weeks ago.
Delta Airlines recently began offering three departures daily to Seattle, which Bogusz said has been a success. Horizon Air, a sister carrier to Alaska Airlines, has five daily departures to Seattle.
“So that’s been a really hot market,” Bogusz said.
Smaller changes are ongoing, including Air Canada’s shift to Bombardier’s 74-seat Q400 plane on the Victoria-Vancouver route, from the 50-seat Dash 8s.
