ST. JOHN'S, June 2, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced that its non-stop St. John's to London Heathrow, U. K. flights will operate year-round beginning October 26, 2014. Air Canada flights offer convenient connections via London to points throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa with its Star Alliance partner carriers. Air Canada will operate the only year-round non-stop service between Newfoundland and Labrador and Europe.

"Air Canada is pleased to offer the only year-round non-stop flights between St. John's and London Heathrow. On-going support for the seasonal service by the local community over the past several years now enables us to extend it and offer travellers in Newfoundland and Labrador the convenience of year-round flights to London Heathrow," said Benjamin Smith, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada. "Our customers in Newfoundland and Labrador value this direct link to the U.K., as the fastest and most efficient way of making connections to several European capitals such as Brussels, Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Vienna, Warsaw and Athens. Our year-round flight will also attract more visitors to Newfoundland and Labrador and support the local economy."

"The London Heathrow service is strategically very important for the continued growth of our region and our province, and we are delighted that Air Canada has committed to extend the service year-round.  Offering this service outside of the peak travel summer season will accommodate the growing demand for international business travel from our Airport," said Keith Collins, President and CEO of St. John's International Airport Authority.

"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased that Air Canada has made the decision to return to year-round, direct flights from St. John's to London and we are delighted to provide our support to ensure its success. This move further illustrates the strong business climate here in Newfoundland and Labrador and validates the increasing demand for continued international access.  This flight will not only enhance our tourism market, but will strengthen our access to European markets and positions Newfoundland and Labrador as a destination of choice for business," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.

Flights will operate three times a week on Monday-Thursday-Saturday leaving St. John's at 00:40, arriving in London at 09:15, re-departing from London at 11:05 and arriving back in St. John's at 13:05.

At London Heathrow Airport Air Canada offers convenient connections to points throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa with its Star Alliance partners: Aegean Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Egyptair, Ethiopian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, South African Airways, Swiss International Airlines and Turkish Airlines, in addition to codeshare partner Aer Lingus.

Customers should take note that starting June 18, 2014, all Air Canada flights will arrive and depart from Heathrow Airport's new Terminal 2, also known as The Queen's Terminal. For more information on the new terminal please visit: http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/heathrow.html

In St. John's, Air Canada's flights are timed to offer convenient connections to and from Deer Lake, Halifax, Montreal and Toronto.

Air Canada will operate the route using newly refurbished 120-seat Airbus A319 aircraft in a two-cabin configuration offering a choice of Executive Class and Economy service. The A319 jets feature Air Canada's personal entertainment system with 8.9-inch wide digital in-seat monitors and touch-screen controls offering hours of audio and video on demand programming at every seat.  Other features include in-seat power within reach of every customer.

Air Canada in St. John's

• Air Canada served more than 850,000 customers in 2013 at St. John's Airport (YYT).
• In summer 2014, Air Canada and Air Canada Express will operate over 174 scheduled flights each week to 7 destinations across Canada and one to London Heathrow.
• Air Canada offers up to seven direct flights a day to Toronto, six to Halifax, four to Gander, two to Montréal, three to Deer Lake, one to Ottawa and one to Goose Bay.
• Over 150 dedicated and professional Air Canada and Jazz employees work in St. John's.
• The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge received more than 52,000 visits in 2013.
• In Newfoundland and Labrador, Air Canada operates over 200 scheduled flights each week, including two flights a day between Deer Lake and Toronto; five flights a day between Deer Lake and Halifax; two flights a day between Gander and Halifax.  From Goose Bay, Air Canada operates up to three flights a day to Wabush, two flights a day to Gander, and one flight a day to Deer Lake.  Additionally from Wabush, Air Canada Express operates up to three flights a day to Sept-Iles.

Air Canada St. John's-London Heathrow year-round service complements the carrier's daily non-stop flights to London Heathrow from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.  In 2014 Air Canada will offer up to 77 flights each week from Canada to London Heathrow.

About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline serving more than 180 destinations on five continents.  Canada's flag carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2013 served more than 35 million customers.  Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 60 Canadian cities, 49 destinations in the United States and 73 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,269 airports in 193 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 that ranked Air Canada in a worldwide survey of more than 18 million airline passengers as Best Airline in North America in 2013 for the fourth consecutive year.  For more information, please visit: www.aircanada.com.

SOURCE Air Canada