Together with Aéroports de Lyon, Air Canada is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its route between Lyon and Montreal
For the past 10 years, the direct Lyon–Montréal route, complemented by connections to the United States, has established itself as a key corridor for tourism and economic ties between the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and North America.
Greater connectivity to over 200 destinations via the Montreal hub and Air Canada’s global network.
The introduction of the Airbus A321XLR in September 2026 will deliver next-generation services while supporting the development of the route.
Lyon, France, 12 June 2026 – Air Canada and Aéroports de Lyon are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the non-stop service between Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, marking a decade of connections between the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Canada, the Caribbean, South America and Air Canada’s entire North American network.
Since it was launched in 2016, this route has established itself as a key gateway for business and leisure passengers while supporting the development of tourism and economic ties between the two regions.
As part of its ongoing commitment to the French market, Air Canada will introduce its new Airbus A321XLR on the Lyon–Montréal route from 8 September 2026, with up to five flights a week. This next-generation aircraft will offer two classes of service – Air Canada Signature Class and Economy – enabling customers to enjoy a travel experience tailored to all their needs, whether travelling for business or leisure. The Air Canada Signature Class cabin will provide lie-flat seats, as well as a premium service on this transatlantic route.
To meet the high demand from customers going on a winter skiing holiday, the route will be operated from 25 October 2026 using the Airbus A330, which has greater cargo capacity, with four flights a week this winter. Air Canada then plans to reintroduce the A321XLR onto the Lyon–Montréal route for the summer 2027 season.
Air Canada customers can also take advantage of the intermodal travel options available at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport through the Train + Air programme, in partnership with the SNCF, which has now been extended to include OUIGO services. This offer makes it easy to travel to the airport from several towns in the south of France with a combined train + plane ticket, thereby improving access to the Lyon–Montréal route for passengers from across the region.
From Montreal, customers can enjoy seamless connections to over 200 destinations in Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America, via Air Canada’s extensive global network. Passengers travelling to the United States via Montreal can also make use of the US preclearance facilities, which allow them to complete customs and immigration formalities before departure and arrive in the United States as if they were on a domestic flight.
“For the past ten years, our Lyon–Montréal route has played a key role in bringing France and Canada closer together, connecting families, businesses and passengers on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Jean-François Raudin.
“ We are very proud to mark this important milestone and to continue our investment in the French market with the introduction of the Airbus A321XLR This aircraft will provide our customers with an even better travel experience, at the same time supporting the development of this strategic route. Passengers departing from Lyon can also easily reach a large number of destinations across North America via our Montreal hub, benefiting from the convenience of US preclearance for their journeys to the United States.”
For Cédric Fechter, Chairman of the Board of Aéroports de Lyon: “ For 10 years, the Lyon–Montréal route operated by Air Canada has perfectly illustrated the role played by Aéroports de Lyon alongside VINCI Airports, its operator, and the major airlines, in connecting our region to the rest of the world. We are proud that Lyon was the first airport in mainland France to offer a year-round service to Montreal, courtesy of Air Canada. This strategic route provides access to an extensive network of destinations, particularly in North America via the Montreal hub. It also makes a direct contribution to the economic vitality and international profile of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and strengthens Lyon Airport’s role as the gateway to the French Alps for international visitors.”
END
For further information, please contact PC Agency
Paul Charles / Philip Allport / Rio Smith
Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance – the world’s largest airline alliance. Air Canada’s scheduled services provide non-stop connections to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and internationally across six continents. Air Canada has been awarded a four-star ranking by Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan programme is Canada’s leading travel loyalty programme, offering members the opportunity to earn or redeem points with the world’s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, as well as with its retail, hotel and car hire partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers more travel choices than any other Canadian tour operator to hundreds of destinations around the world, with a wide selection of hotels, flights, cruises, excursions and car hire. Air Canada Cargo, Air Canada’s freight division, has the capacity and connectivity to serve hundreds of destinations across six continents via Air Canada’s passenger and cargo-only flights. Air Canada’s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For further information, please refer to the Air Canada TCFD documentation . Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) in Canada and the OTCQX in the United States.
Further information: media@aircanada.ca
Internet: aircanada.com/medias
Read our annual report here
Sign up to receive news from Air Canada: aircanada.com
For the media:
