Only business class with lie flat suites between Canada and Italy

    MONTREAL, Dec. 15 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced that it will
launch non-stop service between Montréal and Rome to meet seasonal travel
demand. Beginning June 20, 2009 the carrier will operate daily non-stop
flights during the busy summer travel season linking the Italian capital with
Air Canada's extensive Québec and Atlantic Canada network, as well as major
cities on the Eastern U.S. seaboard. Re-introduction of direct Montréal-Rome
service complements Air Canada's Toronto-Rome non-stop service set to resume
in February 2009.
    "This is great news for Montreal's Italian community and travelers in
eastern Canada and the U.S. who will benefit from substantial time savings
during the peak travel season to Italy," said Ben Smith, Executive Vice
President and Chief Commercial Officer. "The reintroduction of our non-stop
service between Montréal and Rome strengthens Air Canada's commitment to offer
convenient flights from Montréal to key international destinations. With the
addition of three new destinations this year, Geneva, Fort de France,
Martinique and now Rome, Air Canada offers non-stop service from Montréal to
50 destinations. By next summer we will have increased capacity across the
Atlantic from Montréal by 35 per cent year over year, with non stop service to
five European gateway cities including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Geneva and
Rome."
    For greater convenience and travel choice, Air Canada will offer
connecting flights via Rome operated by its partner airline Air One to popular
destinations in Italy, including Bari, Milan, Palermo and Venice. As well, Air
Canada's Star Alliance partners Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines
offer service from Montreal to Munich and Zurich respectively, further
increasing connections and travel options.
    To promote Air Canada's new Montréal-Rome service, the airline is
offering special introductory round-trip fares starting at $798, plus
applicable taxes and surcharges, for travel commencing between June 20 and
July 4, 2009. These special fares are available for purchase until January 5,
2009 through aircanada.com, Air Canada Reservations or travel agents.
    "We are very enthusiastic about this initiative by Air Canada for
Montreal, given the popularity of Rome as a summer travel destination," said
Mr. James Cherry, President and Chief Executive Officer at Aéroports de
Montréal.
    Air Canada's Montreal-Rome non-stop service will be operated using a
211-seat Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft offering a choice of Economy Class and
Executive First service featuring 24 lay flat bed suites. Further details and
a virtual tour of Air Canada's new cabin amenities, including personal
seatback entertainment at every seat, are available at:
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/onboard/cabincomfort.html .
    With an eastbound flight time of eight hours, travelers will save more
than two hours off alternate routings via Toronto or Frankfurt. Operation of
the new route is subject to obtaining necessary government approvals.

                  Montréal         Rome                  Rome       Montréal

    AC892            17:35    07:30 (+1)     AC893      09:20          12:25

    Montréal-based Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air
transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 170 destinations on five
continents. Canada's flag carrier is the 14th largest commercial airline in
the world and serves 34 million customers annually with a fleet consisting of
335 aircraft. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, providing the
world's most comprehensive air transportation network for Canadian domestic,
transborder and international travel. Air Canada aircraft offer customers
individualized seatback in-flight entertainment systems with hundreds of hours
of digital audio-visual entertainment. As well, customers can collect Aeroplan
miles for future awards through Canada's leading loyalty program.