“I was a member of the Manila International Airport folk dance team when I was in elementary school. I got to perform on the tarmac when foreign leaders would come to visit. Fast forward 40 years, and now I'm the one that’s being welcomed in my hometown.” 

Economic benefits for Canada 

Air Canada’s inaugural flight from YVR to Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) took off on April 2, 2025. Since then, more than 100,000 passengers have travelled on one of the four weekly flights, and 2,500 tonnes of cargo have been transported. 

The flight from Vancouver to Manila is delivering major economic benefits. Air Canada’s route out of YVR is estimated to generate $24.7 million in economic output, a $127 million boost to GDP, and the creation of 135 jobs across the ecosystem. Each new flight connecting YVR to the Asia–Pacific region strengthens our position as Canada’s gateway to Asia and creates opportunities to get more local products to global markets.  

Strengthening cultural ties 

For the 174,000+ people of Filipino descent living in British Columbia, Air Canada’s direct service makes it easier to connect with friends and relatives.  

“The majority of my family is in the Philippines,” says Macy Yap, a passenger on one of Air Canada’s direct YVR–Manila flights in February 2026. “When I didn’t have a baby, I would take whatever flight to get to a destination, even if it was one or two stopovers. Now I have a two-year-old. It made a pretty big difference not to have to get back off the plane and board another plane. It saves so much time.” 

The flight also benefits the Filipino community across the rest of North America. “I’ve had passengers [on this flight] coming home to the Philippines from New Jersey, North Carolina, California...” says Del Rosario. 

The in-flight meal provides a preview of the Filipino cuisine passengers will find in Manila. “To be on board a flight where people get to eat the food that we love to eat back home is something that I celebrate,” says Del Rosario. 

“I was pretty impressed with the food,” says Yap. “A pork coconut curry dish, cold noodle salad... every meal I had was good.” 

A warm and welcoming destination 

For Yap, the trip provided a welcome opportunity for her to catch up with family, including meeting her brother’s two-month-old baby, and to visit Manila’s beautiful beaches together. 

For tourists, the reasons to visit are equally compelling. “From the minute you arrive, you’ll want to come back,” says Del Rosario, citing the warm hospitality, beautiful islands and beaches, impressive dive sites, and delicious cuisine. 

“Everything is accessible within the airport area, from accommodations and food to history and tourism. And on the outskirts, you can find beautiful resorts, hot springs, home-style cooking, tropical fruit . . . You’ll fall in love with everything Manila and the country have to offer.” 

Air Canada’s four-time weekly flight to Manila operates year-round. For more information or to book, visit aircanada.com.  

This new flight from YVR to Japan’s Hokkaido region takes off on December 17, 2026, making it the only non-stop service between Sapporo and North America. The three-times weekly service will run seasonally until March 2027.

By adding Sapporo to its global network, Air Canada is strengthening its connections through Vancouver. This move also supports YVR’s strategy as a major Trans-Pacific hub and will enhance the deep trade, economic, and cultural ties between Canada and Japan.

Flights will operate from YVR to Sapporo’s Chitose Hokkaido Airport (CTS) onboard Air Canada’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner, including seats in Signature Class, Premium Economy and Economy.

Every new route departing from YVR results in increased economic activity and jobs for our region. The new service to Sapporo is expected to generate $6 million in economic output, $3 million in GDP, and 33 full time jobs across the province. 

Learn more in Air Canada’s release: Air Canada Unveils its First-Ever Winter Seasonal Service to Sapporo 

Though, you didn’t have to be at YVR yesterday to experience the flavours of the Philippines. Hapag Ihaw Ihaw, along with five other local Filipino restaurants, were stops on YVR’s Taste of the Philippines food tour. Through Taste of the Philippines, YVR invited participants to explore these restaurants, where each stop gave participants the opportunity to win roundtrip airfare for two on this new route, courtesy of Air Canada. Participants ate their way through sizzling sisig, kare-kare, and halo-halo – so even those who didn’t win the airfare were still winners.  

Air Canada’s new YVR to MNL service will operate year-round, four times weekly. Manila represents Air Canada's 12th destination in Asia-Pacific with service from YVR, and the airline's first direct service to the Philippines.  

For further details on this new service and to book, please visit www.aircanada.com.  

We are celebrating this exciting new route direct to the Philippines in a delicious way—by taking food lovers on a flavourful tour through the Lower Mainland with our Taste of the Philippines contest.  

Taste of the Philippines will invite participants to explore six Filipino restaurants, each offering an authentic experience of this Southeast Asia destination, known for its rich culinary heritage.  

At each location, participants can scan a QR code to enter for their chance to win roundtrip airfare for two, direct to Manila with Air Canada. 

YVR’s Taste of the Philippines food tour and contest highlights some of the best Filipino eateries in Metro Vancouver, each offering a taste of the country’s rich and diverse culinary traditions: 

• Kulinarya Filipino Eatery (Vancouver) – Known for its authentic home-style Filipino cooking, Kulinarya serves up favorites such as sizzling Sisig and a flavorful vegan Kare Kare.  
• Little Ongpin (Richmond) – A staple for Filipino cuisine, offering comfort food at its best with pancit (stir-fried noodles) and comforting arroz caldo (rice porridge). 
• Win Win Chick’N (Richmond) – A must-visit for those craving perfectly crispy Filipino fried chicken, seasoned to perfection and served with classic sauces, from a family-owned restaurant that brought its flavors from Manila to Canada. 
• Hapag Ihaw Ihaw (Vancouver) – Known for its signature dish, crispy pata—a crispy, deep-fried pork leg that quickly became a customer favorite—this dish was perfected by combining "his and hers" recipe versions into one. 
• Mr. Siopao De Langley (Langley) – Famous for its soft and fluffy siopao (steamed buns) filled with savory meats, alongside other Filipino baked goods. The restaurant setting is complemented by karaoke, adding an extra dose of fun to your dining experience. 
• La Meza Grill (Delta) – A family-owned restaurant dedicated to serving the comforting flavors of home since 2014. Offering a mix of traditional and modern Filipino dishes, its menu features favorites like kare-kare (peanut stew), seafood sinigang (sour tamarind soup), sizzling pork sisig, Cebu lechon, and halo-halo. 

How to Enter: To participate, visit any of the six featured restaurants, listed above as well as on the web app: HERE

Scan the QR code displayed at each restaurant and follow the onscreen instructions to check-in and be entered to win the grand prize: a pair of economy-class flight vouchers (valued up to $6,400 CAD) for a roundtrip journey from YVR to Manila with Air Canada. 

The more places you visit, the more entries you can receive. Be sure to scan the QR code at each restaurant for additional entries.  

This contest is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the flavors of the Philippines while celebrating Air Canada’s new direct route. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Filipino food, part of the Filipino community or trying it for the first time, Taste of the Philippines is your passport to discovering new flavors, supporting local businesses, and embracing the spirit of adventure. 

Start your culinary adventure today and taste your way to the Philippines! 

Contest terms and conditions are available here: YVR Taste of the Philippines Giveaway Contest | YVR 

Previously, United flew this route on weekends in summer 2019. This resumption of this service from YVR to IAD and an increase to daily flights will allow more choice for travellers.

This resumed service is also an indication of increasing demand for additional travel destinations, and added convenience for further connections across the U.S. and beyond.

Service to Dulles is also offered by our partners at Air Canada. The two Star Alliance members are loyalty plan partners, allowing Aeroplan or MileagePlus members to accumulate and redeem miles, as well as reciprocal elite benefits for status members.

This route will be flown using Boeing 737 Max 8’s from the airline’s fleet.

For more information about flight times and to book, visit: www.united.com