First Nonstop Flight to Vancouver Launches From Raleigh-Durham International Airport

A flight offering nonstop service between the Triangle and the West Coast of Canada took flight for the first time today.

Air Canada says the inaugural nonstop flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Vancouver International Airport aims to provide easy access to an unserved destination in the Americas.

Vancouver International Airport is a pre-clearance airport, allowing U.S.-bound travelers to clear customs, immigration, and agriculture inspections before takeoff.

The new flights will operate from June 5th to September 30th, running on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

“Nonstop service to Vancouver has been in high demand with RDU travelers who want to visit British Columbia or connect to countries across the Pacific,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “This new gateway will make travel from the Triangle to western Canada, Japan, Korea, and other destinations in Asia more convenient.”

The aircraft used is a Boeing 737 MAX, with 16 business class seats and 153 economy class seats, and a travel time of five hours and 20 minutes, the release says.

“We are delighted to launch our new RDU to Vancouver summer flights. Our three times weekly flights to Vancouver complement our twice daily flights to Toronto and to Montreal,” said Alexandre Lefevre, Air Canada vice president, “offering even more opportunities for people in Research Triangle Region of North Carolina to visit Canada for business or for leisure. We look forward to welcoming customers onboard.”