Air Canada eyes Melbourne for new A350 jets
The long-range Airbus jet could unlock Melbourne-Vancouver flights.
By David Flynn, June 3 2026
Melbourne is in Air Canada’s sights for its new fleet of Airbus A350-1000 jets, with the Star Alliance member and Virgin Australia partner saying the long-range jets could be the key to unlocking a return to the Victorian capital.
Melbourne is now on what Air Canada calls its ‘New Frontier’ plan, said Air Canada's Managing Director for International Sales, Rocky Lo, during a media briefing in Sydney this week.
“Currently from a fleet perspective, the aircraft we have, we just don’t have the range to get to Melbourne,”
The A350-1000s could change that, Lo shared, thanks to its greater fuel efficiency on the 15-hour route.
Air Canada previously flew the Melbourne-Vancouver route on the smaller Boeing 787-9 until the global pandemic forced it to hit the pause button – and after that, Air Canada resumed only Sydney and Brisbane.
However, with delivery of eight A350-1000s scheduled to begin in late 2030 – and purchase rights for an additional eight planes on hold – it’s going to be a long time before Melbourne returns to the Air Canada schedule.
Also read: Air Canada plans new 777 business class
The sheer length of the Canada–Australia flights also makes business class and premium economy a popular if pragmatic choice.
“We’re seeing customers place more value on the overall travel experience, particularly on long-haul journeys,” shared Kiyo Weiss, Air Canada's Senior Director of Sales for Asia Pacific.
“When you’re travelling between Australia and Canada, comfort becomes a much bigger part of the decision-making process.”
Vancouver has also become a smarter, smoother way for Australians to journey from Sydney and Brisbane to the USA, particularly Seattle.
Travellers can skip the mandatory layover at LAX, which often also involves changing terminals as well as navigating long lines at immigration.
“The easiest way is the seamless connection in Vancouver,” Lo reflected.
There’s no need for passengers connecting through Vancouver to the US to collect their checked baggage.
Instead, Air Canada offers a streamlined process which includes pre-clearance to the US.
Also read: Alaska Airlines to begin non-stop Seattle-Sydney flights?
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
17 Oct 2014
Total posts 24
How about Sydney to Toronto?
Back in the nineties there was a very efficient Canadian/Qantas joint service with a non stop from Toronto to Honolulu connecting to a Qantas nonstop to Sydney.There was also a service from Vancouver to Sydney divided up in the same way.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Jan 2017
Total posts 10
I did the Vancouver- Sydney trip a few times. When my parents picked me up in Sydney they could always tell which passengers were from Vancouver (generally with long coats / ski equipment etc as it was their winter) and those from Honolulu, often wearing beach apparel.
04 Dec 2017
Total posts 74
Air Canada would have to have one of the most boring uninviting J cabins.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
21 Jul 2019
Total posts 227
A sea of grey plastic....
17 Apr 2017
Total posts 7
Not to mention the cabin crew. I flew Vancouver to Brisbane a few days back. I and other travellers were shocked by the age, weight and, for a few, mobility issues of the cabin crew. And they came with poor attitudes too - been in the job way too long and barely going through the motions.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
26 Jul 2012
Total posts 42
In four years time anything can happen, and now we have a war in the Gulf!!!!!
09 Apr 2018
Total posts 5
I have flown Air Canada from EWR to BNE several times now in business class. The BC product is very nice. Unfortunately, AC has massive reliability problems seemingly due to the airline's unions and (transfer airport) government employees. In fact, I've not had a trip on AC that didn't involve stress and disruption at least one way. So now I avoid it even if the alternative is much more costly. And 100% avoid YUL (Montreal) which has to be the worst airport in any Western country and many Third World countries. So good luck with new equipment.
13 Apr 2020
Total posts 17
I think state government cash likely keeps their Brisbane route viable with load factors often in the 60 - 70% range. On the assumption that route continues, would they really invest in an additional Melbourne route? I guess ‘yes’ on the assumption the Vic government makes them an offer they can’t refuse.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Oct 2016
Total posts 193
Brisbane is always a great FF option to North America, though!
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