Air Canada will launch a non-stop service between Toronto and Rio de Janeiro in December.
The year-round route will operate thrice weekly and will be in addition to the airline's existing daily non-stop service to Sao Paulo.
From December 11, a B767-300ER with 24 International Business Class and 187 Economy seats will ply the Rio route.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, outbound service AC098 will depart Toronto at 2255 and land in Rio at 1225 the following day.
Return service AC099 will run on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and will leave Rio at 2145 and arrive in Toronto at 0545 the next day.
Benjamin Smith, Air Canada's executive vice-president and CCO, said: "Air Canada is very pleased to become the only carrier offering non-stop flights between Canada and Rio de Janeiro. The service will complement our Toronto to Sao Paulo route, meaning Air Canada will now offer two destinations in Brazil.
"This new service is timed for convenient connections to our network at our Toronto Pearson hub, including to Tokyo to Haneda, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, and further expands Air Canada's global reach from Toronto.
"All flights will offer our International Business Class with lie-flat seats, complimentary seatback entertainment throughout the aircraft, and in Toronto access to our International Maple Leaf Lounge and concierge services for eligible customers."
Graham Smith
