Story and photos: Ilona Kauremszky
Air Canada is once again connecting Canada’s largest city with China’s commercial capital through a newly relaunched non-stop service between Toronto Pearson and Shanghai Pudong.
On June 3, 2026, the national air carrier resumed year-round service after a six-year hiatus, with four weekly flights scheduled onboard Air Canada’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
At a ribbon cutting event at YYZ’s Terminal 1, which was held gate side for the inaugural flight, officials announced how this new direct service restores an important link between two global financial centres, while opening new opportunities for Canadian travel advisors.
Travel Courier was on board for the 10-day China FAM trip that marked Air Canada’s launch of the new service and during the trip had a chance to talk with Air Canada’s Specialty Sales Partner Deejay Lee about market demand, connecting opportunities, advisor tools and how the service can help agencies grow revenue through customized China itineraries.
Why was it important for Air Canada to restore non-stop service between Toronto and Shanghai?
Shanghai is one of China’s primary financial and commercial centres, while Toronto is Canada’s leading financial and commercial hub. There is a strong connection between the two cities from both a business and leisure perspective. The route strengthens Air Canada’s Asia-Pacific network and supports growing demand between Canada and China.
What role does the Toronto-Shanghai flight play within Air Canada’s broader network?
The route allows us to connect travellers from across Canada through Toronto and onward to Shanghai. Customers from cities such as Halifax, Calgary, Montreal and other Canadian markets can access China through our domestic network. At the same time, Shanghai serves as an important gateway into Asia and throughout China.
Is the market primarily focused on Chinese-Canadian travellers visiting family and friends?
No. China is a very diverse market. We certainly have VFR (visiting friends and relatives) traffic, but we also see strong demand from business travellers, leisure travellers, group travel and corporate travel. Inbound tourism from China to Canada remains important as well. It’s a multi-segment market rather than a single-source market.
Why should Canadian travel advisors pay attention to this route?
Advisors now have another non-stop option into one of Asia’s most important gateways. Through Shanghai, travellers can connect to numerous destinations throughout China using our joint venture network with Air China. That creates opportunities for advisors to build more comprehensive itineraries and package experiences beyond a simple airfare booking.
How extensive are the onward connections from Shanghai?
Shanghai Pudong is one of the key connecting hubs in China. Through our partnership network, travellers can connect to numerous cities throughout the country. Advisors can combine Shanghai with destinations in different regions of China depending on their clients’ interests.
What types of itineraries do you see advisors creating?
Many tour operators work closely with local Chinese partners to develop travel programs ranging from luxury experiences to more affordable packages. Some travellers want culture and history. Others are interested in food experiences, shopping, architecture or business travel. China offers a tremendous range of experiences, so advisors have flexibility to build customized itineraries.
During this trip, we experienced both modern Shanghai and traditional water towns outside the city. Is that a good example of what advisors can package?
Absolutely. Shanghai works well as both a destination and a gateway. Visitors can enjoy urban experiences such as museums, observation towers, shopping and dining, then combine that with nearby cultural attractions, historic towns or additional destinations throughout China.
What tools does Air Canada provide to help travel advisors sell and book these itineraries?
Along with traditional GDS platforms, Air Canada has expanded its New Distribution Capability platform, known as NDC. Through AC Connex, advisors have access to enhanced content and tools designed to support itinerary building and booking management.
Does that help advisors create more customized travel experiences?
Yes. The goal is to provide advisors with more flexibility and access to Air Canada’s network so they can better serve their clients’ travel needs.
Air Canada is operating the route with the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Why is that aircraft a good fit?
The Dreamliner is one of our newer aircraft and is very well suited for long-haul operations. It offers fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, which is important on flights of this length. It remains one of the best aircraft for long-distance international travel.
Is China a seasonal market?
We see stronger demand during summer and winter periods, as well as around major travel periods such as Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival. However, China is not strictly a seasonal destination. Demand exists throughout the year.
What is your message to Canadian travel advisors considering China as a sales opportunity?
This route creates more possibilities. Advisors can use Shanghai as both a destination and a gateway. Combined with Air Canada’s network, our partnership connections and the range of experiences available throughout China, there are many opportunities to build travel products that appeal to different types of clients.
The Advisor Takeaway:
For Canadian travel advisors, Air Canada’s restored Toronto-Shanghai service creates access to one of Asia’s most important aviation gateways, while providing opportunities to package higher-value itineraries that combine air, hotels, touring and regional experiences.
With four weekly year-round departures aboard the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and extensive onward connectivity throughout China, the route positions advisors to tap into growing demand from leisure travellers, corporate clients, groups and visiting friends-and-relatives traffic alike.
As China continues to re-emerge on Canadian travellers’ radar, Shanghai may once again become one of the industry’s most profitable long-haul selling opportunities.
Air Canada’s Deejay Lee at Juyong Pass, The Great Wall & the official ribbon cutting at Toronto Pearson to relaunch the Toronto-Shanghai route
5 Ways Travel Advisors Can Profit from Air Canada’s Toronto-Shanghai Relaunch
- Sell Beyond Shanghai Shanghai is not simply the final destination. Through Air Canada’s partnership network with Air China, advisors can create multi-city itineraries that connect travellers to destinations throughout China. Adding cities such as Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Hangzhou or Guilin can significantly increase the overall value of a booking.
- Tap Multiple Client Segments Unlike destinations that rely on a single traveller demographic, China appeals to several markets simultaneously. Advisors can target visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travellers, leisure clients, escorted groups, corporate travellers, educational travel programs and inbound Chinese visitors coming to Canada.
- Create Higher-Yield Packages The greatest revenue opportunity lies beyond airfare sales. Advisors can package hotels, sightseeing, culinary experiences, rail journeys, local guides, transfers and premium touring options. Shanghai’s blend of modern attractions and nearby cultural experiences makes it an ideal starting point for customized itineraries.
- Capitalize on Year-Round Demand While summer and winter remain peak travel periods, China generates demand throughout the calendar year. Major travel occasions such as Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival provide additional opportunities for themed departures and specialty group programs.
- Leverage Air Canada’s Advisor Tools Air Canada’s AC Connex platform and NDC capabilities give advisors access to enhanced content and itinerary-building tools.
- Why It Matters Operating four times weekly year-round aboard a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, Air Canada’s restored Toronto-Shanghai service reconnects Canada’s largest aviation gateway with China’s commercial capital. For advisors, the route creates fresh opportunities to expand Asia product offerings, build more complex itineraries and generate additional revenue from one of the world’s most diverse travel markets.
Air Canada’s newly relaunched Toronto-Shanghai route opens the door for clients to discover other areas in China like Beijing, Tangshan and Chengde
