Air Canada Launches Nonstop Service from Vancouver to Tampa, Raleigh, and Nashville
The airline is also launching biometric facial recognition to provide travelers with a streamlined, contactless boarding experience
Photo: Courtesy of Air Canada
Air Canada is launching new routes from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to the United States, including three entirely new destinations, and is implementing advanced digital identification technology from its Pacific Northwest hub.
The Canadian flag carrier will begin year-round flights from Vancouver to Tampa and will offer seasonal services to Raleigh-Durham and Nashville. Additionally, the airline is increasing its capacity to Austin, Denver, and Miami.
Photo: Air Canada announced its most comprehensive transborder schedule from its Vancouver (YVR) hub. Courtesy of CNW Group/Air Canada
Together with its Star Alliance partner, United Airlines, Air Canada will offer 7,700 seats across 58 daily nonstop flights to 21 U.S. destinations next summer—an 11 percent increase in seat capacity compared to the previous year.
“We are pleased to further expand our YVR hub with new year-round flights to Tampa, seasonal services to Raleigh and Nashville, and more capacity to Austin, Denver, and Miami,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President of Revenue and Network Planning, and President, Cargo at Air Canada.
“These new flights reinforce our position as the leading carrier between Canada and the U.S., offering more options for customers in Western Canada and enhancing access to the U.S. for travelers looking to explore beautiful British Columbia,” he said.
Photo: Courtest of Vancouver International Airport.
This route expansion out of the airline’s Western hub is part of Air Canada’s strategy to connect North America with Asia-Pacific through its Pacific gateway in Vancouver. “Our newest services further bolster our sixth-freedom strategy, efficiently bridging North America and growing international destinations,” Galardo added.
The new flights from Vancouver are as follows:
| Flight | From | To | Depart | Arrive | Days of Operation | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC1068 | Vancouver (YVR) | Raleigh (RDU) | 13:30 | 21:44 | Mon, Wed, Fri | June 4 – Sept. 29, 2025 |
| AC1069 | Raleigh (RDU) | Vancouver (YVR) | 8:40 | 11:30 | Tue, Thur, Sat | June 5 – Sept. 30, 2025 |
| AC1064 | Vancouver (YVR) | Tampa (TPA) | 13:30 | 22:12 | Tue, Sat | Year-round, begins June 3, 2025 |
| AC1065 | Tampa (TPA) | Vancouver (YVR) | 8:20 | 11:23 | Wed, Sun | Year-round, begins June 4, 2025 |
| AC1310 | Vancouver (YVR) | Nashville (BNA) | 13:10 | 19:42 | Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun | May 1 – Oct. 30, 2025 |
| AC1311 | Nashville (BNA) | Vancouver (YVR) | 8:15 | 11:10 | Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun | May 2 – Oct. 31, 2025 |
Growing Vancouver
The launch of these new flight routes represents a significant development for both the Pacific Northwest community and Vancouver International Airport, enhancing travel options for residents and opening up new opportunities for international business and leisure travel to and from the region.
Photo: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, Vancouver. Courtesy of Air Canada.
“This will be the first time in YVR’s history that our community has been directly connected to Raleigh-Durham, a vibrant research, education, and technology hub,” said Tamara Vrooman, the President and CEO of Vancouver International Airport.
“These routes also provide travelers from the U.S. with direct access to experience everything our region has to offer, including connections to a range of global destinations from YVR,” she said.
Likewise, Walt Judas, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia, highlighted the importance of the province’s tourism industry: “Adding more direct routes from key American cities is welcome news for the tourism sector. The increase in seat capacity bodes well for growth across leisure, business, and meetings and events markets.”
Innovation Takes Off with Digital ID
Air Canada is not only expanding its network at YVR. The airline is introducing digital identification technology for nearly all domestic flights out of this airport starting December 3.
Photo: Courtesy of CNW Group/Air Canada
According to the carrier, this new technology utilizes biometric facial recognition to provide travelers with a streamlined, contactless boarding experience.
“Digital identification enhances the travel experience by making boarding flights convenient and effortless,” said Tom Stevens, Vice President of Canadian Airports and Customer Experience Strategy at Air Canada.
Stevens adds that customer feedback during the pilot phase has been “overwhelmingly positive,” especially among frequent flyers.
Air Canada says the digital ID program is accessible through the airline’s app and can also be used to enter the airline’s Maple Leaf Lounges and the Air Canada Café at select locations.
How Digital ID Works
According to the airline, enrolling in the digital ID program is simple and optional, giving customers full control over their data.
With just a few taps on the Air Canada app, travelers can securely register their biometric information. At the airport, passengers stand before a camera at the gate, where their identity is confirmed in seconds.
The benefits include faster boarding, as passengers can eliminate the need to present physical ID or boarding passes. Additionally, secure technology safeguards customer data with advanced encryption methods. Finally, it provides a hassle-free experience by ensuring a smooth transition from check-in to boarding.
“Together with Air Canada, we are pleased to introduce digital identification as part of the boarding process,” said Vrooman. “This enhanced process will reduce wait times and provide a more convenient journey.”
