Air Canada launching non-stop Singapore-Vancouver flights in 2024

Air Canada has announced that it will launch a new non-stop service between Singapore and Vancouver from 3 April 2024, ending an absence of more than 30 years.

This comes as welcome news following Singapore Airlines’ decision to scrap its Vancouver flights from October 2023. This short-lived revival started in December 2021 as a seasonal service linked to Seattle, before becoming a standalone year-round service with three flights per week.

Air Canada launching Singapore-Vancouver route

Air Canada will commence service between Singapore and Vancouver in Spring 2024, with the following schedules:

Singapore to Vancouver (from 4 April 2024)

Vancouver to Singapore (from 3 April 2024)

The Singapore-Vancouver leg timing is similar to what Singapore Airlines currently offers on SQ48 (departs SIN 0725, arrives YVR 0710), allowing passengers to connect to other North American destinations on Air Canada. The Vancouver-Singapore leg, however, puts you in Singapore at the start of the day instead of the afternoon with SQ47 (departs YVR 0740, arrives SIN 1545). But in a way this works out too, since it allows passengers to connect to Singapore Airlines’ morning bank of flights around Southeast Asia.

Flights will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, and are already open for booking on Air Canada’s website. 

Expect to pay about S$2,300 in Economy Class and S$8,000 in Business Class for a round-trip ticket, based on prices in April 2024.

What cabin products can you expect?

Air Canada’s B787-9 aircraft feature a total of 298 seats, split into:

• 30 Business Class
• 21 Premium Economy Class
• 247 Economy Class

Air Canada B787-9 Seat Map

Business Class seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, with direct aisle access for all passengers. Seats are 21 inches wide with 80 inches of pitch, and convert into full-flat beds. Mattress pads are offered to enhance the sleep experience.

Premium Economy seats are laid out in a 2-3-2 configuration, with adjustable headrests, 19.5 inches of width, and 38 inches of pitch. All passengers have in-seat power and USB ports, together with an 11″ IFE screen.

Finally, Economy Class seats are in a 3-3-3 configuration, with 17 inches of width and 31 inches of pitch. Seats, unfortunately, are of the slimline variety. This means less padding, which will become readily apparent on a flight of this duration. Three passengers share two universal power outlets.

Wi-Fi is available throughout the cabin, with a full-flight pass costing CAD21 (~S$21) if purchased before boarding. 

Award seats

Air Canada is a member of Star Alliance, which means that Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer members can redeem miles for award seats at the following prices:

• One-way Economy Class: 60,500 miles
• One-way Business Class:  119,000 miles

Air Canada, unfortunately, does impose fuel surcharges on redemptions. On the SIN-YVR route, expect to pay (round-trip):

• Economy Class: S$511.90
• Premium Economy Class: S$511.90
• Business Class: S$565.70

It’s interesting that the Business Class fuel surcharges aren’t significantly higher than those in Economy/Premium Economy, but in the cold light of day, it’s still a substantial amount to pay for a “free” ticket. 

You can avoid these surcharges by redeeming miles through a programme like Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles or United MileagePlus, though none of these is a credit card partner in Singapore (StanChart offers United MileagePlus, albeit at a dismal rate of 3.5 points= 1 mile), and you’ll have to buy the miles outright (preferably when they go on sale!).

Conclusion

Air Canada will be returning to Singapore in April 2024 after an absence of more than three decades.

It’s great news for Canadians who were mourning the loss of the only non-stop air link between the two countries, following Singapore Airlines’ decision to terminate its Vancouver service, and ensures the gap in connectivity will last no more than six months.