Air Canada improves service between Montreal and Nice

Updated May 8, 2026
Fact checked by
Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève Leclerc Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.
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Travel safety: your person and your belongings - IMG 0740
To the point Air Canada will increase its frequency, its seating capacity and the service on this "premium" destination in France!

Montreal – Nice with Air Canada

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.

Air Canada improves service between Montreal and Nice - featured air canada business 2

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)
Air Canada improves service between Montreal and Nice - la compagnie a321neo

Flight schedules

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

FlightDepartureArrival
AC816Montreal18:4508:10 (+ 1 day)Nice
AC817Nice13:3016:00Montreal

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

Air Transat and Air Canada Rouge

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.

Air Canada improves service between Montreal and Nice - A321LR AirTransat MSN8755 02

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.

Air Canada improves service between Montreal and Nice - featured air canada 737max 2

What about Aeroplan?

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:

Air Canada improves service between Montreal and Nice - aeroplan yul nice prix marche

Conclusion

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!

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien Voisine is the President and Founder of Milesopedia and a leading expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel across Canada, France, and the U.S.A. Now 40 years old and a father of two, he has explored more than 100 countries—many of them alongside his wife Audrey and their children. Specializing in loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, Flying Blue, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, Jean-Maximilien helps travellers unlock the full potential of their points and benefits. His mission: empower others to travel better and smarter across North America and Europe.
All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine

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