Air Canada will launch a new winter service from Vancouver International Airport to Sapporo, Japan in December 2026. The new route will run three times weekly.
The new route means new global routes for Air Canada
The long-haul flight will take around 13 hours and 30 minutes and will be in service during Japan’s Sapporo Snow Festival in February 2027.
Flights will operate from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to New Chitose Airport (CTS). Flights will run three times weekly from December 2026 to March 2027, flying on a comfortable Boeing 787 Dreamliner, providing passengers with the choice of Signature Class, Premium Economy and Economy seating.
Mark Galardo, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said that the new route will save passengers valuable travel time:
“Leveraging Vancouver’s geographic proximity, Air Canada’s new flights provide the fastest way to reach Sapporo, saving more than two hours travel time each way. For our customers in Hokkaido, Air Canada’s new flights provide the only non-stop and the fastest way to reach the North American continent, with connections to over 45 destinations across Canada, the United States and Mexico at our YVR hub”.
Head to Sapporo for famous beer, skiing destinations, a snow festival and a chocolate town
The closest airport to Sapporo is the New Chitose Airport (CTS) in Chitose. This major airport offers flights globally. It will take around 30-4o minutes to travel from the airport to the city of Sapporo. There is a rapid airport line direct to Sapporo Station from the airport, making travel easier and faster.
Things to do around the area of Sapporo include relaxing hot springs, and authentic culinary adventures. The world-famous Sapporo beer, which is also the oldest brand of beer in Japan, founded in 1876, is widely available across the city.
If you are an avid snowboarder, the closest slopes are a short 40 minutes away from Sapporo City, and are very easy to travel to. The best times of year for the perfect skiing conditions range from late December to early March.
Will you be flying Air Canada to see the Snow Festival? Let us know in the comments.
