In a move which will allow Air Canada to compete with airlines servicing secondary Ontario airports, the carrier will bus passengers from Hamilton and Waterloo Region to YYZ via luxury motorcoaches.
Advisors can book a single itinerary combining motorcoach service with Air Canada flights.
Now available for booking, the multimodal service will begin operating as a pilot project from John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport and the Region of Waterloo International Airport in May 2024, with the potential to make it available elsewhere in Canada in the future.
"Air Canada is focused on improving regional services and through this innovative partnership with The Landline Company, we are connecting communities and extending our network by offering customers a convenient, stress-free multimodal option," said Alexandre Lefevre, Vice President Network Planning, North America, and Scheduling, at Air Canada.
"Customers travelling between airports on Landline's premium motorcoaches will enjoy the same benefits as those making air-only connections, including the convenience of a single itinerary, through-checked baggage when departing Hamilton or Region of Waterloo, disruption protection and Aeroplan earning opportunities."
"We are proud to partner with Air Canada to provide seamless connections to their world class Toronto gateway. Every day, thousands of customers face a stressful, time consuming journey from Hamilton and Waterloo Region to Toronto Pearson airport," said Nick Johnson, Vice President, Commercial for Landline, which is based in Colorado. "Customers will love letting Landline and Air Canada do the driving for them, enjoying a connected experience while relaxing on one of our luxury motorcoaches."
Landline will operate six non-stop round trips daily to Toronto Pearson from each of the Hamilton and Region of Waterloo airports in southern Ontario. Air Canada customers beginning their journey at Hamilton or Region of Waterloo airports will check in as normal for their flight and obtain boarding passes for all segments of their trip. At a designated departure point at the local airport, they will board a luxury, Air Canada-branded motorcoach and their checked baggage will be loaded. Upon arrival at Toronto Pearson, customers will proceed directly through security screening, while checked bags will be automatically transferred to the onward connecting flight.
In the event of coach or flight delays, passengers will be automatically offered the same protections as customers travelling on air-only itineraries. Aeroplan members will earn points for both ground and air segments, as on any normal connecting flight itinerary. For more information, see www.aircanada.com/landline
Each Canadian made Landline motorcoach provides a premium experience, with 36 spacious leather seats in a two-by-one configuration. The coaches are equipped with free WiFi, power, a table tray available at each seat, generous overhead storage for carry-on baggage, and an onboard lavatory. Announcements will be made in both Official Languages, and the coaches are fully accessible, including a power lift for customers requiring mobility aids.
Air Canada operates in 40 communities across Canada, including in partnership with regional carriers Jazz Aviation LP and PAL Airlines. The partnership with Landline allows Air Canada to extend its reach into regional areas and connect local airports to its global network.
