Brit travel boost as top airline relaunches long-haul flights to capital city

Air Canada is relaunching flights between London Heathrow and the Canadian capital with a new direct service.

The new long-haul flight between the British capital and Ottawa is due to start operating from March 31 next year.

There will be four flights per week: on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with outbound jets taking off from Heathrow at 2.05pm.

Departures on Wednesdays and Saturdays will take off from Britain at 12.40pm. Return flights from Canada will depart Ottawa at 6.40pm on Mondays and Thursdays, landing in the UK at 6.30am the next day. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, services will leave Ottawa at 8.55pm, touching down at Heathrow at 8.35am the following day.

The seasonal service had been paused during the Covid pandemic, but will now operate from March 31, 2025, until October 25 of the same year, according to The Sun.

Tickets have already been on sale for a couple of weeks. The addition of Ottawa will take Air Canada’s total destinations between the UK and Canada to six. These are Toronto Pearson International Airport, Montreal Airport, Toronto City Airport, Vancouver International Airport and Calgary Airport.

The Canadian capital itself offers a “treasure trove” of “impressive” sights and activities, according to the city’s official tourist website.

Ottawa Tourism recommends the ByWard Market neighbourhood with its shops, farmers’ market and eateries, as well as the UNESCO site Rideau Canal, which is hailed as the world’s largest naturally frozen ice skating rink in winter.

Canada’s great outdoors is also a key attraction, according to Ottawa Tourism which suggests whitewater rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping and cycling.

The Canadian Tulip Festival in May, Canada Day on July 1 and Ottawa Jazz Festival are among the city’s celebrations welcoming acts from around the world.

Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada, National Arts Centre and Canadian War Museum are further highlights promoted by Ottawa Tourism.

Ottawa has a range of accommodation recommended by Booking.com, including Lord Elgin Hotel, Alt Hotel Ottawa, Holiday Inn Ottawa East, Andaz Ottawa, Fairmont Chateau Laurier and La Germain Hotel, to name a few.

According to Skyscanner, the cheapest time to fly to Ottawa International is November. The average flight time is seven hours and 40 minutes.

Skyscanner’s best price at the time of writing for a return flight to Ottawa International was £372. This is subject to change and availability.