Air Canada Resumes Non-Stop Quito Flights from Montréal and Toronto: Ecuador Winter Schedule Guide

Air Canada is resuming direct seasonal flight service between Canada and Ecuador starting December 4, 2026, launching four weekly non-stop flights connecting Quito with Montréal and Toronto. Deployed on widebody Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, the restored winter operations re-establish direct aviation links between North America and the high-altitude Andean capital through late March 2027.

The seasonal expansion expands travel choices for Canadian holidaymakers, corporate travelers, and the Ecuadorian diaspora community living in Canada. The non-stop connectivity provides a direct gateway to Quito’s historic UNESCO World Heritage center, Cotopaxi National Park, Otavalo, and onward connections to the Galápagos Islands.

Air Canada Winter 2026–2027 Flight Schedule to Quito (UIO)

According to official schedule filings from Air Canada and Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport, the carrier will deploy Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft featuring Signature Class lie-flat pods, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins across two Canadian hubs:

Origin Airport	Destination	Weekly Frequency	Outbound Service Dates	Return Service Dates	Primary Aircraft Type
Montréal (YUL)	Quito (UIO)	3 Weekly	4 Dec 2026 – 26 Mar 2027	5 Dec 2026 – 27 Mar 2027	Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Toronto (YYZ)	Quito (UIO)	1 Weekly	5 Dec 2026 – 20 Mar 2027	6 Dec 2026 – 21 Mar 2027	Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

Source: Air Canada Media Relations & Aeropuerto Internacional de Quito.

The four-weekly service links directly into Air Canada’s global hubs in Montréal and Toronto, allowing passengers from Europe and across Canada to connect seamlessly onto single-ticket itineraries to Ecuador.

Quito and the Andes: Gateway to Ecotourism and World Heritage

Situated in the high Andes at approximately 2,850 meters (9,350 feet) above sea level, Quito functions as Ecuador's political, cultural, and aviation capital. Official tourism metrics from Ecuador Travel highlight the city's key attractions:

• UNESCO Heritage Significance: In 1978, Quito's Historic Centre and the Galápagos Islands became the first sites globally to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
• Andean Excursion Hub: Quito serves as the primary gateway for tours to Cotopaxi National Park, the volcanic lagoons of Quilotoa, and the indigenous craft markets of Otavalo (Plaza de los Ponchos).
• Galápagos Gateway: Non-stop flights into Quito streamline onwards domestic air transfers to the Galápagos archipelago, enabling travelers to combine urban heritage stays with island wildlife cruises.

Broader Air Canada Latin America Network Expansion

The resumption of Quito flights is part of a broader winter 2026–2027 expansion by Air Canada across South America. The airline is also advancing seasonal start dates and increasing frequencies across key Latin American corridors:

• Brazil & Peru: Earlier seasonal resumption for Toronto–Rio de Janeiro (GIG) and Toronto–Lima (LIM) routes.
• Chile & Colombia: Additional weekly frequencies operating from Montréal to Lima (LIM) and Santiago (SCL).

By restoring non-stop capacity to Ecuador, Air Canada strengthens its competitive position across trans-equatorial passenger corridors.

Air Canada Quito Route FAQ: October 2026

When do Air Canada’s non-stop flights to Quito begin? Air Canada's seasonal service to Quito (UIO) begins on December 4, 2026, operating through the end of March 2027.

How many weekly flights will operate between Canada and Quito? Air Canada will operate 4 weekly flights in total: 3 weekly flights from Montréal (YUL) and 1 weekly flight from Toronto (YYZ).

Which aircraft type will operate the Canada–Quito routes? All flights will be operated using Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft featuring Air Canada Signature Class, Premium Economy, and Economy seating.

Do passengers need to adjust to high altitude when arriving in Quito? Yes. Quito sits at 2,850 meters (9,350 feet) above sea level. Travelers are advised to allow time for altitude acclimatization during their first 24 to 48 hours in the capital.

Why This Matters for Travelers and South American Tourism in 2026

For Canadian travelers and tour operators, Air Canada’s return to Quito removes intermediate layovers in the US or Central America, saving time on long-haul South American itineraries. The restored widebody connectivity supports Ecuador’s eco-tourism sector while offering high-yielding business and leisure travelers comfortable lie-flat Signature Class transit to the Andes and Galápagos.

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Related Travel Guides

• Quito High-Altitude Acclimatization & Historic Centre Navigation Guide
• Ecuador Ecotourism Itinerary: From the Andes to Galápagos Islands
• Air Canada Boeing 787 Signature Class Cabins & International Routes