Roberta Aguirre
Air Canada has added flights to Gatwick Airport, with up to seven flights weekly. Air Canada's addition of flights to Gatwick brings it into further competition with WestJet, with whom it has a domestic rivalry. The introduction of flights to Gatwick means Air Canada is the only Canadian carrier servicing multiple airports in the London area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air Canada Flies to Gatwick Airport | Yes |
| Year of Announcement | 2015 |
| Starting Month | May |
| Number of Flights per Week | 7 |
| Originating Airport | Toronto |
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What You'll Learn
Air Canada adds flights to Gatwick Airport
Air Canada has expanded its operations to Gatwick Airport, adding flights to its roster. The airline, which already serves Heathrow Airport from eight Canadian cities, announced in June 2015 that it would introduce flights from Toronto to Gatwick Airport. This addition to its network marks an expansion of Air Canada's presence in the London area, with the airline now servicing multiple airports in the region.
Benjamin Smith, President of Passenger Airlines at Air Canada, expressed confidence in the new route, stating that Air Canada Rouge, the airline's leisure subsidiary, is well-suited to serve London-Gatwick. He highlighted the airline's focus on leisure travel and its ability to provide convenient access to southern London.
The introduction of flights to Gatwick Airport by Air Canada reflects the carrier's strategic focus on the London market and its commitment to enhancing connectivity between Canada and the UK. By choosing Gatwick Airport, Air Canada gains access to a convenient gateway to the city of London and its surrounding areas.
This expansion also places Air Canada in direct competition with WestJet, which has also added flights to Gatwick Airport. The rivalry between the two Canadian airlines is expected to benefit passengers through increased options and competitive pricing. WestJet's executive vice-president, Bob Cummings, highlighted the significance of their Boeing 767s in enabling service to England from anywhere in Canada.
With Air Canada's addition of flights to Gatwick Airport, passengers now have enhanced travel options and greater flexibility when travelling between Canada and London. The increased accessibility provided by these new flights strengthens the link between the two countries and opens up opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange.
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Flights from Toronto to Gatwick
Air Canada has added flights to Gatwick Airport, London. In 2015, the airline announced it would add flights from Toronto to Gatwick Airport on its leisure subsidiary Rouge.
There are several options for flights from Toronto to Gatwick Airport. Air Canada offers flights from Toronto Pearson International Airport to London Gatwick Airport. Other airlines that offer flights from Toronto to Gatwick include Air Transat, Porter, and WestJet.
Prices for flights from Toronto to Gatwick vary depending on the airline and the time of booking. KAYAK offers prices starting from $220 for round-trip flights, while Travelocity offers flights starting from $713. It is recommended to arrive at Toronto Pearson International Airport at least three hours early for international flights to avoid stress.
When travelling from Gatwick Airport to central London, it is suggested to take the Thameslink trains instead of the Gatwick Express as they are cheaper and have convenient stops.
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Air Canada's rivalry with WestJet
Air Canada and WestJet have long been rivals in the Canadian airline industry. Both airlines have strong domestic route networks and serve a large number of destinations in the United States, but Air Canada is considered a global airline, while WestJet is primarily a Canadian domestic airline. Air Canada is also significantly older, larger, and serves more destinations than WestJet. At the time of writing, Air Canada has a fleet of 160 aircraft serving 222 destinations, while WestJet has a fleet of 110 aircraft serving 100 destinations.
One of the key areas of rivalry between the two airlines is their respective route networks. Air Canada has better coverage of lower Canada from coast to coast, while WestJet is more established in Western Canada. WestJet has been expanding its route network in recent years, adding flights to the United States in 2004, and introducing flights to Ireland and England in 2014. In 2015, both Air Canada and WestJet added flights to Gatwick Airport in London, taking their domestic rivalry across the Atlantic.
Another area of competition is the in-flight experience offered by each airline. Air Canada has been criticised for charging for snacks and only offering drinks, while WestJet offers free snacks and non-alcoholic drinks on most routes. WestJet has also been praised for its spacious long-haul premium economy seats, although some have criticised the lack of seat-back entertainment on their aircraft, with only personal device entertainment available. Air Canada, on the other hand, offers seat-back entertainment on the majority of its aircraft.
Price and loyalty programs are also factors in the rivalry. WestJet is generally considered the preferred airline for those in western Canada, while Air Canada is the preferred choice in eastern Canada. However, some customers have expressed frustration with both airlines, feeling that neither offers particularly competitive prices or benefits.
As the Canadian airline industry continues to evolve, the rivalry between Air Canada and WestJet remains fierce, with both airlines constantly refining their products and services to compete for market share.
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Gatwick Airport's first transatlantic destination
Gatwick Airport, also known as London Gatwick Airport, is located near Crawley in West Sussex, 30 miles (48 km) south of Central London. It is the UK's second-busiest airport in terms of total passenger traffic and the tenth busiest in Europe. The airport has been in use for commercial flights since 1933.
Prior to this, in 1958 and 1959, Gatwick Airport received its first scheduled overseas airlines, including Sudan Airways and BWIA West Indies Airways. The "Blue Nile" service by Sudan Airways was the first scheduled foreign airline flight from Gatwick, with a route between Khartoum and Gatwick via Cairo, Athens, and Rome.
In the summer of 1966, Canadian charter airline Wardair launched the first of several transatlantic charter flights from Gatwick to Canada using Boeing 727s. In April 1973, BCal commenced the first transatlantic scheduled service by a private UK airline, flying from Gatwick to New York and Los Angeles.
Today, Gatwick Airport continues to offer a range of transatlantic and global destinations, serving as a significant hub for travel between London and the rest of the world. The airport has attracted major airlines such as Air Canada, WestJet, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Virgin Atlantic, Air China, Cathay Pacific, and many others.
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Air Canada's leisure subsidiary Rouge
Air Canada Rouge, a subsidiary of Air Canada, was launched in December 2012. It serves predominantly leisure destinations in the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, Europe, and the United States. The airline operates a fleet of Airbus A319, Airbus A320, and Airbus A321 aircraft, offering three classes of service: Business/Signature, Premium Rouge, and Economy.
In March 2014, Air Canada announced plans for Air Canada Rouge to expand into Western Canada, serving leisure markets from Vancouver and Calgary to various destinations in the United States. In December 2015, new routes were introduced, including Toronto to Miami, Fort Myers, Charlottetown, and Deer Lake. Year-round routes include Toronto and Montreal to Fort Lauderdale, Montreal to Miami, Vancouver to San Diego and Mexico City, and Calgary to Phoenix.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020, Air Canada Rouge retired several aircraft from its fleet, including the Boeing 767, Embraer 190, and some Airbus A319s. This significantly impacted the airline's operations, reducing its fleet size.
Air Canada Rouge offers various amenities to its passengers. All aircraft are equipped with Wi-Fi, and complimentary Wi-Fi is provided to customers flying in the Premium Rouge cabin. The Premium Rouge experience also includes priority check-in and boarding, and access to Maple Leaf Lounges at eligible airports. On longer flights, passengers can purchase Air Canada Bistro items on board, and a selection of entertainment options are available for streaming on personal devices. Additionally, passengers can check-in up to 24 hours in advance through the Air Canada website, mobile app, or airport kiosk.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Air Canada flies to Gatwick Airport.
Air Canada flies to Gatwick Airport seven times a week.
Air Canada started flying to Gatwick Airport in 2016.
