As a native of Nice and returning frequently to the region, here is a news that is particularly close to my heart! And that’s interesting in many ways about the future of Air Canada’s flights to Europe.

As of May 8, 2020, the Montreal-Nice route will be operated by Air Canada – no longer its low-cost subsidiary Air Canada Rouge.

A significant change of direction for this destination, which is of increasing interest to North American airlines due to its “premium” traffic.

We are very pleased to offer new services and more frequency to passengers on our direct flights between Nice and Montreal as early as next season. The arrival of an Air Canada A330-300 will provide greater comfort with the addition of our Signature Air Canada cabin.

Jean-François Raudin, General Manager France of Air Canada.

Indeed, our American neighbours have had direct flights to Nice from:

• New York JFK – with Delta Airlines
• New York EWR – with United Airlines
• New York EWR – with La Compagnie (fully in business class)

From 4 flights per week in 2019, Air Canada will increase to 5 flights per week in 2020.

In addition, with the aircraft change (from an Air Canada Red B 767-300ER to an Air Canada A330-300), seat capacity will be 58% higher year-on-year!

The Air Canada Airbus A330-300 will be configured with:

• 27 signature seats (business class)
• 21 seats in Premium Economy Class
• 244 seats in Economy Class

Until now, Nice was served from Canada during the summer season by both Air Transat and Air Canada Rouge.

In fact, for almost every destination served in Europe by Air Transat, Air Canada had decided to open routes with its low-cost subsidiary Air Canada Rouge.

With Air Canada’s almost successful acquisition of Air Transat,competition on these services will soon no longer exist! As a result, Air Canada is adjusting its plans. And the Montreal-Nice flight is a perfect illustration!

This may raise questions about whether or not Air Transat flight from Montreal to Nice will continue if Air Canada’s acquisition of Air Transat is to be approved.

Especially since the line was recently operated by an Airbus A321LR of Air Transat (competitor of the Boeing 737 MAX of which Air Canada has been deprived for many months). A plane that Air Canada could easily redeploy to other destinations.

I would not advise you to use your Aeroplan miles for this flight. It would cost you 60,000 Aeroplan miles and over $600 in taxes and surcharges.

Even at the market rate, when promoting, the carrier surcharge imposed by Air Canada makes the use of miles unnecessary:

On the one hand, it’s great news to see Air Canada:

• Offer an extra frequency per week for the 2020 season
• Changing the positioning of the line from Air Canada Rouge to Air Canada

On the other hand, I wonder about the competitiveness of the fares that will be offered and Air Transat’s survival on this service. The future will tell!