Chinese New Year Holds Big Promise for AC

An Air Canada Chinese New Year gala dinner at Kirin Restaurant in Richmond BC recently gave the airline the opportunity to review company highlights from the past year, and to also look ahead at what is in store for 2016.

Gala attendees were thanked for all the support and commitment that made 2015 the best year ever for Air Canada. They learned that a record fourth quarter capped off a record year in which Air Canada earned a net income of over $1.2 billion.

Meanwhile, 2016 – the Year of the Monkey – promises to be a good one for the airline, as it launches a number of growth initiatives, said event host Rocky Lo, Air Canada director of business development for Asia. These include its biggest ever international capacity expansion as well as the launch of Premium Economy cabins on all international routes.

“In 2016, we will be introducing more than 20 new routes, including Vancouver to Brisbane, Toronto to Seoul and seasonal services between Vancouver and Dublin,” he said. “As we move into spring and summer this year other new routes, including to Eastern Europe such as Warsaw, Prague, Budapest and our first destination in Africa – Casablanca – will begin.”

Lo also focused on the reconfiguration of all B777 aircraft, saying that by the summer of this year, all international business class seats for flights to/from Asia Pacific will feature new lie-flat seats, configured in a reverse ‘fish bone’ layout, similar to the new B787 business class cabins. These will feature state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system as well as aisle access for every seat.

“Furthermore, all flights to the Asia Pacific will feature Premium Economy cabins as of this summer,” said Lo.

Air Canada’s Premium Economy product features larger more spacious seats, more leg room and enhanced onboard dining, he said.

Pictured, ceremonial drummers welcomed the Year of the Monkey at an Air Canada Chinese New Year gala dinner in Richmond, BC.