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Air Canada
is to launch the first ever non-stop flights between Australia and Canada with the
introduction of double daily flights December 16, 2004 in time for the peak
travel season in the southern hemisphere.
Flights will be operated
using 282-seat Airbus A340-300 aircraft enabling Air Canada to offer non-stop
service northbound from Sydney to Vancouver. Southbound flights, requiring a
brief stopover in Honolulu for refueling, will allow customers to stay on
board thus eliminating U.S. customs clearance and transit visas for some
travelers including citizens of Australia.
With a flight time of 14 hours and
40 minutes, Air Canada's new daily A340 non-stop service will reduce northbound flying time by two hours and 15 minutes
compared to the carrier's second daily one stop service.
"With the introduction of A340 service to Australia, we are offering
customers superior choice and the convenience of non-stop flights for the
first time," said Ben Smith, Vice President, Planning. "The addition of direct
service means significant added convenience for citizens of Australia and
other travellers impacted by U.S. government visa requirements when transiting
via the United States. Our new non-stop service also means greatly improved
travel times with only one connection to major cities in eastern Canada including Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa."
Air Canada will maintain its second daily flight operated via Honolulu
with a 212-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. These flights allow passengers to
stop over in Hawaii between Canada and Australia. With the introduction of
the first-ever double daily service Air Canada is increasing the number of seats on the route by 33 per cent over last year.
Flight AC033,
an Airbus A340-300, departs Vancouver at 18:10, arrives in Honolulu at 22:25 for refueling and continues on to Sydney for arrival at
07:00, two days later. Flight AC034 departs Sydney at 11:15 and arrives in
Vancouver at 06:55 the same day.
AC045, a Boeing 767-300, departs Vancouver at
16:50, arrives in Honolulu at 21:00, departs Honolulu at 22:30 and arrives in
Sydney at 06:05, two days later. AC046 departs Sydney at 08:30, arrives at
Honolulu at 22:25, departs Honolulu at 22:55, and arrives in Vancouver at
06:25 the same day.
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