Air Canada celebrated a decade of its direct Brisbane-Vancouver service on 2 June 2026, hosting around 90 travel advisors and partners at a Show & Go event that saw two lucky agents go straight from the party to business-class seats on the next flight out. Karryon was there to raise a toast.
It followed a Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce anniversary lunch in Brisbane and activities at Brisbane Airport, and included the official 10th anniversary flight on 3 June 2026 with Show & Go winners Monique Tonkin of Main Beach Travel and Pippa Vann of Pippa Vann Travel on board.
Debuting in June 2016, Air Canada’s Brisbane (BNE) – Vancouver (YVR) route has remained Queensland’s only nonstop service to Canada and has carried more than 1.2 million passengers between the two destinations on over 5,000 flights since 2019.
Resplendent in a sequinned red jacket at the Brisbane evening event, Managing Director – International Sales Rocky Lo said Queenslanders propelled demand for the service.
“The frequency of our Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flights quickly increased to meet demand and Brisbane-Vancouver established itself as one of our most popular routes,” he said.
“Since then, Brisbane has also enjoyed some of the most in-demand premium cabins – both Signature Class and Premium Economy – across our global network.
“With Air Canada’s nonstop service from Queensland’s capital city, the world got a little bit smaller for all of us in Canada, and those in Australia.”
Lo added that Queenslanders have also embraced the carrier’s Vancouver hub as an alternative gateway to North America with more than 50 per cent of passengers continuing on to Canada and the US.
“That’s not surprising given we offer our passengers seamless, same-terminal transfers at YVR, and our Brisbane-Vancouver services have always been timed to optimise connectivity to our extensive North American network,” he said.
That wasn’t the only milestone recognised at the Brisbane Show & Go event with attendees singing “Happy Birthday” to Queensland Sales Account Manager Janis McDonald, who recently celebrated a significant birthday, plus Senior Director of Sales APAC Kiyo Weiss’ 17 years with Air Canada.
Lo also paid tribute to former General Manager ANZ Vic Naughton’s contributions to helping make the then-fledgling route an ongoing success.
Brisbane Airport Senior Vice President of Aviation Marketing & Partnerships Kirsty Lucas said the local Air Canada team are “some of the best in the business and a genuine pleasure to work with” as she reflected on what the milestone means for the Queensland hub.
“Ten years ago, we opened Queensland’s front door to North America with Air Canada’s first direct service between Brisbane and Vancouver and since 2019, more than 1.2 million people have travelled across that route on more than 5,000 flights,” she said.
“This service has become a critical gateway for Queenslanders to travel to Vancouver, but more than that, it offers seamless connections to Montreal, Toronto and, as far as I know, it is still the fastest way to fly between Brisbane and New York.
“It has really cemented itself as Queensland’s only direct connection to Canada and this milestone is owned by all of you in the room, from Air Canada to travel advisors to our travel trade partners.
“Your commitment, service and unwavering support to this market have helped this route grow from a bold idea to one of Air Canada’s most successful transpacific routes. We share this decade with you proudly,” she said.
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