MANILA, Philippines – Canadian flag carrier Air Canada will start offering 14-hour nonstop Vancouver-Manila flights starting April 2025 and will operate four weekly flights beginning May.

Flights from Canada to Manila can already be booked online through Air Canada’s website and contact centers, or through travel agents. The maiden Vancouver-Manila flight is slated for April 2, while the first Manila-Vancouver flight will start on April 3.

Canada is home to many Filipinos — who are said to be the country’s third largest Asian community with a population of over 900,000 and make up the third largest number of international students.

“The Philippines is an important market reflecting longstanding family ties between our two countries with growing business connections and tourism opportunities,” Air Canada Executive Vice President for Revenue and Network Planning Mark Galardo said in a statement on Thursday, December 5.

“With extensive domestic and transborder network in Vancouver designed to connect seamlessly to our international flights, we are making travel between North America and the Philippines even more convenient for leisure and business travelers alike,” he added.

Air Canada is the first Canadian airline to offer flights to the Philippines. As of the carrier’s December 5 statement, flight schedules are as follows:

From	To	Days offered	Departure	Arrival	Dates offered
Vancouver (YVR)	Manila (MNL)	Monday, Wednesday, Friday	01:55	06:20 + 1 day	April 2 to April 30, 2025
Manila (MNL)	Vancouver (YVR)	Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday	09:25	06:20	April 3 to May 1, 2025
Vancouver (YVR)	Manila (MNL)	Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday	01:55	06:20 + 1 day	Effective May 1, 2025
Manila (MNL)	Vancouver (YVR)	Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday	09:25	06:20	Effective May 2, 2025

Air Canada will be using its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to serve the flights. These offer three cabins options: the Signature Class with lie-flat seats, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. The airline also boasts of a wide-range of in-flight entertainment options for passengers.

Eligible passengers may access the Vancouver Air Canada Signature Suite, an exclusive airport lounge with a la carte dining and “premium beverage options,” and the Air Canada International Maple Leaf Lounge.

The new route will also allow passengers to connect to over 50 more destinations in North America for transfers.

Manila is Air Canada’s 12th destination in the Asia Pacific. It is currently also serving Japan, South Korea, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand.

“This new Manila service builds on their extensive Asia network from YVR, bringing family, friends, and business together and providing travelers with more choice and connections,” Vancouver International Airport President and CEO Tamara Vrooman said.

“In addition, the launch of this 14-hour non-stop service will generate $46 million in economic value to our region,” she added.

The announcement comes as the Team Canada Trade Mission makes its stop to Manila, bringing in their biggest delegation yet in hopes to secure investment opportunities in the Philippines.

“As we mark 75 years of our diplomatic relations, these new direct flights between Vancouver and Manila will help create stronger connections and partnerships, easier travel, economic growth, and generate shared prosperity. I look forward to seeing our Canadian companies continue to develop in the Philippines through initiatives like these,” said Mary Ng, Canada’s minister of export promotion, international trade, and economic development, who led the 300-member delegation.

Canada has been keen on growing its Philippine ties.

Just a year ago in 2023, Canada relaxed its visa rules for Filipinos by including the Philippines in its electronic travel authorization program, making it easier for qualified Filipinos to travel there. This meant that Filipinos who have either held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or have an active United States non-immigrant visa may be allowed to stay in Canada visa-free for up to 6 months — either for business or leisure.

Canada in February launched its Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in Manila and in January, Canadian Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen visited Manila to announce CAD$15 million in aid to the Philippines over six years.

The country also opened up its Dark Vessel Detection System to the Philippines in late 2023. Meanwhile, negotiations are underway for a State of the Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA). – Rappler.com