United and Air Canada renew transborder pact, add six seasonal routes

Air Canada and United are adding six routes between the United States and Canada next year, after renewing the joint business agreement that governs their transborder cooperation. Air Canada said the renewed pact currently supports more than 1,200 connecting itineraries, and that the two carriers have introduced 20 cross-border routes under it since 2022.

Among Air Canada's additions is Toronto to Louisville, Kentucky. The airline does not fly to Louisville today, and the Toronto link would be the Kentucky city's only international service. That route is scheduled to operate seasonally between April and October. A Montreal to Indianapolis service is planned for June through September, and Edmonton to Newark, New Jersey, for June through October. Air Canada will also put the larger Airbus A220 on its Edmonton to San Francisco route to add seats.

United's new flying includes seasonal service from Newark to St. John's, Newfoundland, plus Denver connections to Ottawa and Quebec City. The carrier will add flights between Washington, D.C. and Quebec City, and lift daily seats between Denver and Winnipeg by 65%. United has not yet given start dates for its new routes.

The two airlines framed the expanded schedule around Canada's place in United's international network and the ease the partnership gives travellers connecting between the two countries.