Ski lovers get ready.
Enjoying fresh powder snow on the slopes of Hokkaido will become even easier for those traveling from North America next winter when Air Canada launches new flights from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to New Chitose Airport (CTS) serving Japan’s northernmost island capital Sapporo.
“Taking advantage of Vancouver’s location, Air Canada’s new flight offers the fastest way to reach Sapporo, saving more than two hours of travel time each way,” Mark Galardo, Air Canada’s chief commercial officer, said in a statement. “For our customers in Hokkaido, Air Canada’s new flight offers the only non-stop and fastest way to reach the North American continent.”
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Previously, anyone flying into CTS from North America had to connect somewhere in Asia, usually in Seoul or Tokyo. Now, with the launch of Air Canada’s new flights, travelers from 45 destinations in Canada, the United States and Mexico will be able to easily connect via YVR.
CTS is Air Canada’s latest step in its international expansion this year. Other new destinations include France’s Nantes Atlantic Airport (NTE), served by the airline using its new long-range Airbus A321XLR aircraft, and Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) on the Mediterranean Sea. The airline will also launch its first direct flights in March between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) in downtown Toronto and New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
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Air Canada will offer three weekly flights to CTS from its hub at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) from December 17 to March 25, 2027. Flights will be westbound on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, and eastbound on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
The Star Alliance airline will fly to CTS using Boeing 787-8s with 20 Premium Business Class suites, 21 Premium Economy seats and 214 Economy Class seats.
Although Sapporo is a big city, The New York Times recently described Sapporo as “far enough away from the crowded ‘golden routes’ of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto that the city retains much of its charm and quiet pace.”
In addition to its bustling capital, Hokkaido is generally a paradise for winter activities, with powdery snow making it a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders from around the world. The popular Epic and Ikon passes both target resorts in Hokkaido as destinations for pass holders, including Rusutsu in the former and Niseko in the latter.
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There is also a snow festival in February, as well as traditional hot springs across Japan.
Travelers can use Aeroplan points to book Air Canada’s new CTS flights or earn points on paid tickets from any Star Alliance member loyalty program, including United Airlines.
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