MONTREAL, June 22, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The departure of flight AC082 from Montreal-Trudeau airport tonight will mark the successful launch of Air Canada's non-stop Montreal service to Tel Aviv. This new seasonal service will operate twice weekly from June 22 to October 16, 2017.

"Air Canada is the leader in the Canada-Israel market, which we have served for 22 years. Today we are pleased to launch a new seasonal non-stop service between Montreal and Tel Aviv, which will also offer convenient connections throughout Canada and the U.S. and complement our existing daily year-round flights from Toronto," said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. "This new service also reflects Air Canada's ongoing international expansion strategy, from which Montreal is deriving significant benefits. Since the beginning of the year Air Canada has launched new services from Montreal to Shanghai, Marseilles, Reykjavík, Dallas and Washington Dulles with Algiers scheduled on July 1."

"On behalf of all Montrealers, I am proud to take part in this ceremony marking the inaugural flight linking Montreal to Tel Aviv. This new direct service is the result of dynamic collaborative efforts, as demonstrated by the important trade mission to Israel. This new service is a concrete example of the thriving links that unite our cities and our countries," said Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal

Added Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv, "Tel Aviv is a rare city that enjoys two major assets that usually do not exist in the same destination. First, it is a great beach city. With 14 kilometers of beach and 300 days of sun, National Geographic named it "One of the Top Ten Beach Cities in the World". Secondly, it is an extremely vibrant urban center. The New York Times calls us "The Capital of Mediterranean Cool" thanks to 1748 bars and pubs; amazing art; high culture and street culture; and one of the best culinary scenes in the world. We are eager to see many tourists from Quebec enjoying Tel Aviv."

Flight will be operated with 292-seat Airbus A330-300 aircraft with three cabins of service, including Air Canada's International Business Class cabin, featuring 27 Executive Pods with 180- degree lie-flat seats all configured for direct aisle access. The Premium Economy cabin has 21 seats that offer generous personal space, wider seats and extra legroom and recline, as well as premium meals, complimentary bar service and priority check-in and baggage delivery at the airport. The Economy cabin has 244 seats providing comfortable personal space and a state-of-the-art individual on-demand entertainment system. Flights are timed for convenient connections with Air Canada's extensive domestic and transborder network.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline serving more than 200 airports on six continents.  Canada's flag carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2016 served close to 45 million customers.  Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 64 airports in Canada, 57 in the United States and 95 in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,300 airports in 191 countries.  Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax.  For more information, please visit: www.aircanada.com, follow @AirCanada on Twitter and join Air Canada on Facebook.

SOURCE Air Canada