Brisbane celebrates 10-year milestone with Air Canada
Brisbane Airport is marking a decade of direct connectivity to Canada, with Air Canada celebrating 10 years since the launch of non-stop flights between Brisbane and Vancouver.
Since the inaugural flight touched down at Brisbane Airport on 3 June 2016, the route has carried more than 1.2 million passengers between the two destinations and become a vital link connecting Queensland with Canada and North America.
More than 5,000 flights have been completed between Vancouver and Brisbane over the past decade, providing 1.4 million seats.
Around 80 per cent of passengers travel for leisure or to visit friends and relatives, highlighting the route’s role in connecting families, travellers and communities across the Pacific.
The service covers almost 12,000km in around 13.5 hours, providing seamless onward connections through Vancouver into major North American destinations including Toronto, Montreal and New York.
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the Brisbane-Vancouver flights had delivered benefits for all partners.
“For a decade, this route has brought Queensland and Canada closer together and opened even greater access across North America.
“The strength of the service is connectivity on both sides of the Pacific, with Vancouver linking to more than 100 onward destinations, and Brisbane Airport offering arriving travellers Australia’s most connected domestic airport network.
“Together, we’ve built an airbridge that connects families, fuels tourism, and strengthens trade and business ties between Queensland and Canada.”
Air Canada Managing Director - International Sales, Rocky Lo agreed the milestone reflected strong demand and close ties between the two regions.
“Brisbane-Vancouver has become one of the most popular routes on our international network, with Australians loving the seamless access to Canada’s west coast and beyond, and Canadians embracing Queensland as a year-round destination.
“Brisbane Airport’s generous support over the past 10 years has been integral to the sustained success of the route and Air Canada is delighted to mark this milestone together.”
Trade and Investment Queensland CEO Justin McGowan said the Brisbane–Vancouver service is an important gateway supporting trade, international education and tourism links between Queensland and Canada.
“Canada is an increasingly important market for Queensland, with two-way trade reaching $2.9 billion in the year to March 2026, making Canada Queensland’s 14th largest trading partner and our 10th largest export destination,” Mr McGowan said.
“The direct Brisbane–Vancouver connection helps strengthen commercial relationships, supports business travel and provides Queensland exporters with improved access to North American markets.
“The route also plays an important role in international education and tourism. Queensland remains the most popular Australian study destination for Canadian students, attracting 1,583 enrolments, and around 72,000 Canadian visitors.”
In 2016, Brisbane Airport celebrated the arrival of Air Canada’s first flight from Vancouver with a visit by a Canadian Mountie and First Nation Calgary Princess, with the International Terminal awash with red and white flags, maple leaves and a giant snow globe.
Air Canada operates daily services aboard a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with the Brisbane-Vancouver route remaining Queensland’s only direct connection to Canada.
To celebrate 10 years of direct Brisbane to Vancouver flights, Air Canada is offering 10% off popular routes for Brisbane Airport passengers.
From now until 13 June 2026, enter 10BNEYVR to receive 10% off any Economy Class, Premium Economy and Business Class flights.
Brisbane Airport is now connected to 35 international destinations, welcoming a record 25 million passengers in 2025 and is spending $5 billion to transform its precinct over the next 5 years.
