A new chapter in transatlantic connectivity began on June 12 as Air Canada, the country’s largest airline, officially launched its new direct summer service between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Ponta Delgada’s João Paulo II Airport, further strengthening the long-standing ties between the Azores and Canada.
The inaugural flight was celebrated at João Paulo II Airport in São Miguel, bringing together local authorities, tourism officials, business representatives, and aviation stakeholders to mark what is being viewed as an important step in expanding the Azores’ international accessibility.
According to information released by The PC Agency, the seasonal service will operate three times per week throughout the summer, providing travelers with a direct connection between Toronto and Ponta Delgada in just over six hours. Flights depart Ponta Delgada on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, while return services from Toronto operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
The new route significantly enhances travel opportunities for both leisure and family travel, serving not only the thousands of Canadians with Azorean and Portuguese roots but also the growing number of international visitors discovering the islands as a premier Atlantic destination.
“We are delighted to launch our new direct service between Ponta Delgada and Toronto, further strengthening the ties between the Azores, Portugal, and Canada,” said Rocky Lo, Air Canada’s General Manager of International Sales.
“This route will improve access for travelers visiting friends, family, and the islands while supporting the growth of tourism and business connections between both regions. It also enhances connectivity through Air Canada’s extensive network, making transatlantic travel more efficient and accessible for our customers.”
The Toronto route offers Azorean travelers seamless access to Air Canada’s extensive North American network. Through the airline’s Toronto hub, passengers departing from Ponta Delgada can connect easily to destinations across Canada, the United States, and Latin America, including Montréal, Vancouver, Cancún, Bogotá, Mexico, and several cities in Brazil, all within a single booking and coordinated travel itinerary.
An additional advantage for passengers connecting to the United States is Air Canada’s U.S. pre-clearance facility in Toronto. Travelers can complete U.S. customs and immigration procedures before departure, allowing them to arrive in the United States as domestic passengers and significantly reducing waiting times upon arrival.
The route is operated using Air Canada’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, offering passengers a choice between Premium Economy and Economy cabins.
Travelers also have access to Aeroplan, Air Canada’s loyalty program, which allows members to earn and redeem points throughout the airline’s global network and with numerous partner carriers. The program offers additional flexibility by allowing customers to combine points and cash when purchasing tickets.
The arrival of Air Canada represents another milestone in the growing internationalization of Azorean air services. Together with recent route expansions linking the islands to major European and North American markets, the new Toronto connection reinforces the Azores’ position as an increasingly accessible destination and strengthens the economic, cultural, and family ties that have connected the archipelago and Canada for generations.
For the Azores, where thousands of families maintain deep roots in Canadian communities, particularly in Ontario, the new direct service is more than an airline route. It is a bridge across the Atlantic, bringing people, opportunities, and communities closer together while supporting tourism, investment, and the continued strengthening of one of the most important relationships in the modern Azorean diaspora.
Translated and adapted from Diário dos Açores-Paulo Liveiros, director. Photos from Ari Canada’s site.
