Berlin Joins Brussels, Nantes, Ponta Delgada, and Tel Aviv in Air Canada’s Explosive Summer 2026 Growth – Explore New Destinations!

Published on November 30, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

Air Canada has revealed its plans for an extensive summer 2026 expansion, adding exciting new routes from Toronto, Montréal, and Halifax to key European destinations. The airline will offer non-stop flights from Montréal to Berlin, Germany, and Nantes, France, as well as new direct services from Toronto to Ponta Delgada, Portugal, and from Halifax to Brussels, Belgium. Additionally, the airline will resume its seasonal route from Montréal to Tel Aviv, Israel, providing more options for travelers heading to Europe and beyond.

What Are the New Destinations?

The addition of these new routes will significantly increase Air Canada’s European network. From Montréal, the airline will operate three times weekly flights to Berlin, Germany’s historic capital, and three times per week to Nantes, a charming city in the Loire Valley of France. Toronto will gain a new direct route to Ponta Delgada in the Azores, an archipelago off the Portuguese coast, reflecting strong cultural ties between Canada and Portugal. Meanwhile, Halifax will see its second international route with new non-stop service to Brussels, Belgium. The airline will also resume its seasonal Montréal-Tel Aviv route for the summer of 2026, complementing the existing Toronto-Tel Aviv service.

When Will These Routes Begin?

These new services will begin in the summer of 2026, with Air Canada expecting strong demand for direct flights to these popular European and Middle Eastern destinations. This expansion will further enhance Canada’s connectivity to Europe, supporting both business and leisure travel as the airline continues to grow its international network. The new routes will operate alongside Air Canada’s existing services to major European cities, including London, Paris, and Frankfurt.

Why Is Air Canada Expanding?

The new European destinations are part of Air Canada’s strategy to offer customers more travel options and increase its market share in Europe. The airline’s expanded network will strengthen economic ties, promote tourism, and meet growing demand for non-stop flights to key European cities. Air Canada’s goal is to offer convenient, direct connections from Canadian cities to major European hubs, reducing the need for layovers and connecting flights.

Additionally, these new routes reflect the airline’s continued international growth. With the addition of these new services, Air Canada will boast North America’s second-largest transatlantic network by destinations, reinforcing its position as a key player in the international travel market.

How Will Air Canada Operate These Routes?

Air Canada’s new routes to Berlin and Nantes will be operated using a mix of wide-body and narrow-body aircraft. The Montréal-Berlin and Montréal-Nantes services will feature Air Canada’s Airbus A321XLR, offering both premium and economy class cabins. The flights to Ponta Delgada will operate three times per week with narrow-body aircraft, providing premium and economy seating options.

Halifax-Brussels will also be served three times per week on narrow-body aircraft with a configuration of premium and economy cabins, catering to both business and leisure travelers. The seasonal Montréal-Tel Aviv flights will be operated using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, providing an enhanced travel experience for passengers flying long-haul.

How Will This Impact Travelers?

For travelers in Canada, the new services to Berlin, Nantes, Ponta Delgada, Brussels, and Tel Aviv provide convenient, direct flight options that reduce the hassle of connecting flights. Air Canada’s expanded network offers a wide range of travel possibilities, from cultural experiences in Berlin and Nantes to relaxing getaways in the Azores or Israel. The new Brussels route from Halifax also strengthens the connection between Canada and Europe, while providing access to the wider European continent via Air Canada’s Star Alliance partner, Brussels Airlines.

What’s Next for Air Canada?

Air Canada’s Summer 2026 expansion is part of a broader strategy to enhance its global network. The airline recently announced new services to Palma de Mallorca and Catania (Sicily) from Montréal, as well as year-round services to Bangkok from Vancouver. By the summer of 2026, Air Canada will be connecting Canada to more than 126 destinations across the globe, with up to 155,000 seats offered weekly across its transatlantic, Pacific, and South American routes.

As Air Canada continues to grow its international offerings, travelers can expect even more direct routes to key destinations, offering greater convenience and flexibility for both leisure and business travelers.