Only direct flight from North America to Bangkok launching out of Vancouver airport
The only direct flight between North America and Bangkok, Thailand, will launch out of Vancouver International Airport later this year.
Air Canada announced the new service expansion Monday, saying launch of the service, expected in early December, is dependent on final federal approval.
"We are extremely pleased to be launching our first non-stop service to Southeast Asia this winter, the only one between North America and Thailand," said Mark Galardo, senior vice president, network planning and revenue management at Air Canada, in a news release.
The 17-hour flight is expected to be scheduled for departures on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The flight will depart at 11 p.m. PT and land at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport just before 6 a.m. local time, two days later.
Heading the other direction, flights will leave from Bangkok on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and land in Vancouver at 6:35 a.m.
The service will be offered seasonally, from Dec. 1 to April 14.
"Thailand is a popular leisure destination for Canadians," Galardo said. "For further convenience, our Bangkok flights will connect to our extensive domestic and trans-border network giving customers added seamlessness and choice when travelling."
Other seasonal routes are expected to return or increase later this year.
For those eager to head to Australia or New Zealand, Air Canada's Vancouver to Auckland route will resume on Nov. 10, increasing from three flights per week to five in December. The Vancouver to Brisbane route will also increase to five flights per week in December and the route to Sydney will go up to 10 weekly flights for December and January.
Meanwhile, service to Delhi from Vancouver will return on Oct. 1, though that route includes a technical stop in Dublin for "operational purposes," the airlines says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.