Air Canada has officially launched a new direct long-haul connection between Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and Montréal, Canada, marking a significant milestone for the German capital’s international connectivity. The inaugural flight departed BER on July 3, 2026, re-establishing Air Canada’s presence in Berlin after a seven-year hiatus .
Berlin – Montreal
New Transatlantic Connection Strengthens North American Access
The new route operates three times weekly, on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with flights departing BER at 11:40 AM and arriving at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) at 1:45 PM local time . Return flights depart Montréal on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 8:30 PM, arriving in Berlin the following day at 10:15 AM .
The flight duration from Berlin to Montréal is 8 hours and 40 minutes, with the westbound return taking approximately one hour less . This seasonal service will be available until September 6, 2026, with flights for summer 2027 already bookable, when Air Canada plans to increase frequency to four times weekly from early June to mid-October .
Montréal Hub Opens Doors Across North America
Montréal serves as one of Air Canada’s primary hubs, offering passengers seamless connecting flights throughout Canada, the United States, and beyond . “As one of Air Canada’s largest hubs, Montréal offers travelers access to one of North America’s most vibrant and culturally diverse cities, while also providing seamless connections throughout Canada, North America, and beyond,” said Rocky Lo, Managing Director International Sales at Air Canada .
Aletta von Massenbach, CEO of Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH, welcomed the new connection: “With Montréal, BER gains not only another attractive destination in Canada but an interesting long-haul connection that strengthens our North American network” .
Historic A321 XLR Deployment
While the inaugural flight was operated with a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Air Canada will deploy the state-of-the-art Airbus A321 XLR on this route starting July 19, 2026 . This marks the first-ever scheduled long-haul use of the A321 XLR in Germany .
The A321 XLR features 182 seats, with 14 in Business Class featuring lie-flat seats, and 168 in Economy Class . The aircraft’s efficiency makes it ideal for long-haul routes, enabling airlines to open thinner transatlantic markets that were previously economically unviable .
“The A321 XLR enables us to efficiently open new transatlantic markets while offering the comfort and reliability our customers expect,” noted Lo .
Economic and Tourism Impact
The new connection has garnered strong support from regional business and tourism organizations. Robert Rückel, Vice President of the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce, highlighted: “Montréal is one of North America’s leading creative economy hubs, just as Berlin is in Europe. This direct connection between these two creative hubs is a genuine future connection for the gaming, AI, deep tech, and cultural industries” .
Brandenburg’s trade volume with Canada stands at approximately €1.2 billion, with exports growing steadily in recent years . The route is expected to further strengthen economic ties between the German capital region and Québec.
Québec’s General Delegate for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Geneviève Rolland, commented: “This direct connection gives wings to relations between Québec and Germany. By bringing Montréal and Berlin closer together, it will help strengthen existing partnerships in business, culture, science, and institutional cooperation” .
Strategic Importance for BER
The addition of Montréal represents a significant expansion of BER’s intercontinental network. Summer 2026 sees four North American connections from Berlin, including Toronto, New York, and Newark, alongside the new Montréal service .
The route’s introduction follows the establishment of the “Connectivity Board BER” in 2025—a collaborative initiative between the airport, visitBerlin, and regional chambers of commerce focused on enhancing international connectivity essential for the region’s economic development .
Dr. Jürgen Amann, CEO of visitBerlin, emphasized: “This new direct connection between Montréal and Berlin is a strong signal for the growth market of Canada and a gain for Berlin tourism. It strengthens Berlin’s international accessibility and opens additional potential for guests from Canada and throughout North America” .