Air Canada is introducing what it calls a luxury bus service that will connect travellers from Hamilton and Waterloo to Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Air Canada announced a partnership with The Landline Company that will allow customers to book a single itinerary combining a “luxury motorcoach service” with its flights for a “seamless, convenient and more sustainable journey.”
The service will begin operating as a pilot project from John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport and the Region of Waterloo International Airport in May 2024 and could expand in the future.
“Customers travelling between airports on Landline’s premium motorcoaches will enjoy the same benefits as those making air-only connections, including the convenience of a single itinerary, through-checked baggage when departing Hamilton or Region of Waterloo, disruption protection and Aeroplan earning opportunities,” said Alexandre Lefevre, Vice President Network Planning, North America, and Scheduling, at Air Canada.
“We will look to further expand our regional network in Canada through our Landline partnership, as it also advances our sustainability programs by potentially removing tens of thousands of vehicles from the road each year.”
The luxury bus service will see six non-stop round trips daily to Toronto Pearson from Hamilton and Waterloo airports.
“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,” an airline spokesperson wrote in a news release.
“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.”
Air Canada launches luxury bus service from Toronto Pearson to Hamilton and Waterloo.
When travellers arrive at Toronto Pearson, they can proceed directly through security screening, while checked bags will be automatically transferred to the onward connecting flight.
“Each Landline motorcoach provides a premium experience, with 36 spacious, leather seats in a two-by-one configuration,” Air Canada added.
“The coaches are equipped with free WiFi, power and a table tray available at each seat, generous overhead storage for carry-on baggage, and an onboard lavatory.”
The motorcoaches used for Air Canada are made by Prevost, a manufacturer of touring coaches based in Sainte-Claire, Que.
In the event of coach or flight delays, Air Canada said customers travelling with the bus service will be offered the same protections as customers travelling on air-only itineraries.