Air Canada announced on January 21 that it will launch a winter-only Vancouver-Sapporo route starting December 17, 2026. Between December 2026 and March 2027, the airline will operate three flights per week between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and New Chitose Airport (CTS). This will be North America’s first direct flight to Hokkaido.
According to the announced schedule, AC55 from Vancouver departs YVR at 1:25 pm on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, arriving at CTS the following day at 3:35 pm. AC54 from New Chitose departs CTS at 7:55 pm on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, arriving at YVR at 11:10 am on the same day. According to a news release, the new route will reduce travel time between Vancouver and Sapporo by more than two hours each way by eliminating the need for a layover. The aircraft will be a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Passengers can choose from Signature Class, Premium Economy, or Economy. Air Canada Vice President and CCO Mark Gallardo said, “This new route further strengthens Vancouver’s role as North America’s second-largest Pacific gateway, driven by the continued growth in premium leisure demand and travel to Japan. He also cited Sapporo’s attractions as including “superb powder snow, the Sapporo Snow Festival, soothing hot springs, and culinary delights like ramen and legendary beer.”
This brings Air Canada’s direct flights to Japan, including limited-time routes, to three (Vancouver-Narita and Kansai Airport), plus seven (Toronto-Narita, Haneda, Kansai, and Montreal-Narita).