HOW IT WORKS: New Air Canada coach service connects Hamilton, K/W to YYZ

Air Canada has launched new – and free – motorcoach service connecting southern Ontario’s Hamilton-Wentworth and Kitchener/Waterloo Regions to Toronto Pearson International Airport, at the same time enabling customers to create a single itinerary when booking travel with Air Canada through YYZ.

The integrated service connecting the Hamilton and Waterloo airports to Toronto Pearson is a trial initiative from John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport and the Region of Waterloo International Airport with the potential to be made available elsewhere in Canada in the future.

“We are excited to launch this new service in collaboration with The Landline Company, offering our customers a convenient, stress-free multimodal option that will make connections easy and travel more seamless. We are committed to improving regional services and this innovative partnership is a testament to that,” said Ranbir Singh, Director Regional Airlines and Markets at Air Canada.

He added. “Passengers who choose to travel between airports using Landline’s top-tier motorcoaches will enjoy similar benefits as those who opt for air-only connections: a convenient single itinerary when departing Hamilton or the Region of Waterloo, disruption protection, and Aeroplan-earning opportunities.”

Nick Johnson, VP Commercial for Landline, noted, “In addition to premium onboard amenities, and a protected flight connection on every trip, passengers can now book and ride our luxury motorcoach for no additional cost when paired with their Air Canada flight.”

How it works

Landline will operate six, non-stop round trips daily each way between Toronto Pearson from each of the Hamilton and Waterloo airports. Times are as follows:

  • Hamilton- Toronto: 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 1:40 p.m. 3:45 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. (arriving 60 to 75 minutes later)
  • Toronto-Hamilton: 8:05 a.m., 9:50 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:05 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9:40 p.m.
  • Kitchener/Waterloo-Toronto: 5 a.m., 6:05 a.m., 10:55 a.m., 1:40 p.m., 3:50 p.m., and 5:45 p.m. (arriving 60 to minutes later)
  • Toronto-K/W: 8:15 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 6:15 p.m., and 9:35 p.m.

Air Canada customers beginning their journey at Hamilton or Region of Waterloo airports will check in as normal for their flight and obtain boarding passes for all segments of their trip. At a designated departure point at the local airport, they will board a luxury, Air Canada-branded motorcoach and their checked baggage will be loaded. Upon arrival at Toronto Pearson, customers will proceed directly with their bags to the departure level.

In the event of coach or flight delays, customers travelling on Landline will be automatically rebooked like customers travelling on air-only itineraries.

 Premium motorcoaches

The motorcoaches used by Landline for Air Canada are made in Canada by Prevost, a manufacturer of touring coaches based in Sainte-Claire, Quebec. Each Landline motorcoach provides a premium experience, with 36 spacious, leather seats in a two-by-one configuration. The coaches are equipped with free Wi-Fi, power, and a table tray available at each seat, generous overhead storage for carry-on baggage, and an onboard lavatory. Announcements will be made in both Official Languages and the coaches are fully accessible, including a power lift for customers requiring mobility aids.

Aeroplan

Members of Air Canada’s Aeroplan program will earn points for both ground and air segments, as on any normal connecting flight itinerary. For more information and to book, see www.aircanada.com/landline .