Air Canada will launch daily non-stop flights to Los Angeles, effective May 1, 2006. Flights will be operated with next-generation, Bombardier CRJ-705 aircraft.

Flights are timed to offer convenient, same-day connections for travellers to and from Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray. Tickets for flights are now available for sale at Air Canada’s website or through travel agents.

“We are delighted to offer the convenience of the only non-stop flights linking Edmonton with Los Angeles, one of the most popular destinations in the United States,” said Ben Smith, Air Canada’s vice-president responsible for network planning at Air Canada and Jazz.

“The addition of new jet aircraft to the Air Canada Jazz fleet allows us to pursue new market opportunities and deploy the right aircraft to meet travel demand with the best schedules, and offer the lowest fares on an everyday basis.”

AC8528 departs Edmonton at 3:40 p.m. Pacific Time, arriving in Los Angeles at 6:02 p.m. Pacific Time. AC8529 departs Los Angeles at 10:50 a.m. Pacific Time and arrives back in Edmonton at 3:05 p.m. Pacific Time.

The CRJ-705 aircraft features all-leather seating and is configured in two classes of service with 10 window or aisle seats in executive class, which offers 37 inches of legroom, and 65 window or aisle seats in hospitality class, which offers an industry-leading 34 inches of legroom.

All seats will be equipped with Air Canada’s new in-seat personal entertainment system. The Bombardier CRJ-705 aircraft has a cruising speed of 880 kilometres per hour and a range of more than 3,500 kilometres, with a total payload of 7,778 kilograms including a cargo payload of 700 kilograms.

Air Canada Jazz will operate a fleet of 15 CRJ-705s by December, 2005.
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