On April 2, Air Canada launched a new route from Vancouver to Manila, marking the airline's first service to the Philippines. This expansion adds to Air Canada's network of destinations in Asia and Australasia, now totaling a record 17 points when including the Middle East. Philippine Airlines has historically serviced this city pair, but Air Canada's introduction makes it the second North American airline, alongside United, to offer flights to the Philippines.
The Filipino community in Canada, numbering around one million, consists of the largest number of overseas Filipinos outside the United States, with a significant portion residing in British Columbia. Data indicates that 150,000 round-trip passengers traveled between Vancouver and Manila in the year leading up to July 2024, with a majority flying with Philippine Airlines for personal travel purposes such as visiting family and friends.
Air Canada's new route, spanning 5,707 nautical miles (10,569 km), will be operated four times weekly on a Boeing 787-9. Despite the route being considered low-yielding, partly due to affordable fares, Air Canada was encouraged to introduce this service following positive reception to its Vancouver to Bangkok route inaugurated in 2022.