New Route of the Day – Americas (3 June 2026): Air Canada between Toronto YYZ and Shanghai PVG
Air Canada commenced flights between Toronto YYZ and Shanghai PVG following a six-year hiatus on Wednesday 3 June. The 11,440-kilometre route will be maintained 4-weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with the 787-9 aircraft. The carrier will compete against 4-weekly China Eastern Airlines flights.
Flight AC27 departs Toronto YYZ at 13:00 local time, arriving in Shanghai PVG at 16:25 local time the following afternoon. The return service, operating as flight AC28, takes off at 18:10 local time on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, touching back down at Canada’s busiest airport at 20:00 local time.
What they said
Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, said: “The return of Air Canada’s non-stop service between Toronto and Shanghai reflects a continued commitment to providing a seamless, comfortable travel experience between North America’s East Coast and the Asia-Pacific region. From our global hub at Toronto Pearson, Air Canada is the only carrier to link North America’s East Coast to Osaka, and with the return of Shanghai, proudly becomes the second North American and only Canadian carrier to link the continent’s East Coast non-stop to China.”
Carl Jones, Head of Aviation Development for the Greater Toronto Aviation Authority, added: “This route represents two cities that unlock significant opportunities for aviation and for the strengthening of long-term relationships. There are more than 700,000 Chinese Canadians in Toronto alone. At present, approximately 155,000 passengers travel between Shanghai and Toronto annually without direct service.”
Air Canada ramps up China operations
The restored service between Toronto YYZ and Shanghai PVG complements the airline’s daily Vancouver – Shanghai and Vancouver – Beijing flights. In total, Air Canada will operate 18-weekly rotations between Canada and China this summer.
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada describes China as Canada’s “fastest-growing emerging market” with 300,000 Chinese nationals visiting Canada in 2025.
Political tensions had stunted travel between the two countries for a number of years, but a series of high-level diplomatic gestures led China to return Canada to its approved group travel list and waive visa requirements for Canadian visitors.
