Air Canada launches non-stop inaugural B787 flight from Vancouver to Manila

Air Canada’s inaugural flight from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) took off on April 2, 2025, marking the first direct service between Canada and the Philippines by a Canadian carrier. 

Flight AC 017 departed Vancouver at 13:44 local time and, at the time of writing, is currently en route to the capital of the Philippines, where it is expected to arrive at 06:20 local time on April 3, 2025.

The flight was operated using the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft featuring three cabins of service: Signature Class with lie-flat seats, Premium Economy and Economy Class.

Kumusta! Today, we’re celebrating the launch of @AirCanada’s inaugural flight to Manila, expanding into the Asia-Pacific region. With up to 4x weekly service, this new flight will generate $33 million in economic output and connect B.C. proudly to the world. pic.twitter.com/p5rFHIjJBG— YVR (@yvrairport) April 1, 2025 Festivities at Vancouver Airport began the day prior to the inaugural flight’s departure and did not end until just before Flight AC 017 took off.

According to Vancouver Airport, the four-times weekly service between Vancouver and Manila will generate CAD 33 million (US$23 million) in economic output.

A 2021 Canadian census recorded that there are approximately 967,355 people of Filipino origin living in Canada. Filipino Canadians constitute the largest group of Southeast Asian Canadians in the country, and make up the third highest immigrant population in Canada, next to the Chinese and Indian population..

Air Canada’s campaign to kick-off the inaugural service between Vancouver and Canada featured a number of its employees in Canada who are of Filipino descent.

“We are proud to be the only Canadian carrier flying to the Philippines, building on the longstanding ties between our countries to make visiting family and friends, conducting business, or heading on vacation more convenient than ever. With more than one million Filipinos living in Canada representing an important market, direct air services are a catalyst to facilitating tourism, trade and connectivity, and represent the fastest way of travelling to Manila,” said Mark Galardo, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President, Revenue and Network Planning, & President, Cargo.

“The new route from Vancouver to Manila is welcome news for British Columbians and will help better connect the more than 170,000 Filipino Canadians living here with their loved ones,” said British Columbia Premier David Eby.

“At a time where we are focused on expanding our global markets, this new flight will benefit tourism, trade and strengthen our overall economy,” Eby added.

The new flights are operated on the following schedules:

AC017 depart Vancouver  01:55 local time arrive Manila (MNL) 06:20 local time the following day (departure days: Month of April: Mon, Wed, Fri / Beginning May 1, 2025 onwards: Tue, Thur, Fri, Sun)

AC018 depart Manila 09:25 local time arrive Vancouver 06:20 local time (departure days: Month of April: Tue, Thur, Sat / Beginning May 2, 2025 onwards: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat)

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