- 37 daily frequencies provide direct connection to Air Canada’s extensive global network
- New service uses dedicated high-occupancy vehicle lanes and private airport entrance, making it faster than driving
- Children under 15 ride Air Canada City Shuttle free with an accompanying adult
- Book now at montreal.landline.com
For many Montréal travellers, the biggest challenge isn’t catching a flight—it’s getting to Montréal-Trudeau International Airport on time. Ongoing construction, heavy congestion and bottlenecks on airport access roads have prompted repeated warnings from airport officials over the past two years for passengers to leave significantly earlier than usual, with some travellers even abandoning vehicles and walking to the terminal to avoid missing their flights.
Air Canada is hoping to ease some of those headaches with the launch of a new $9 downtown airport shuttle that promises faster, more predictable trips between the Palais des congrès de Montréal and YUL by using dedicated high-occupancy vehicle lanes and a private airport entrance.
The airline has launched the Air Canada City Shuttle, a new motorcoach service connecting the Palais des congrès de Montréal in the heart of downtown with Montréal-Trudeau International Airport for $9 one way, plus applicable taxes.
Developed in partnership with The Landline Company, the shuttle is designed to offer a faster and more reliable alternative to taxis, rideshares and personal vehicles. By using dedicated high-occupancy vehicle lanes and a private airport entrance, Air Canada says the service can reduce travel times by as much as 25 minutes during peak traffic periods.
The launch comes as airport officials continue working on longer-term solutions to congestion around YUL, including the future REM station and redesigned passenger drop-off areas.
Frequent departures throughout the day
The shuttle will operate 37 daily trips between downtown Montréal and the airport, with schedules timed to connect with Air Canada’s domestic and international flights.
Morning departures will run every 15 minutes between 4:45 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., then every 30 minutes until 9 p.m.
Passengers travelling from the airport to downtown can board outside Door 7 on the Departures level, with departures every 15 minutes during the early morning before shifting to every 30 minutes until the final shuttle leaves at 10 p.m. Travellers can reserve seats in advance or board on a space-available basis.
Air Canada says passengers who book the shuttle and allow at least 95 minutes between shuttle arrival and flight departure will be eligible for complimentary flight rebooking if a shuttle delay causes them to miss a connection.
Premium coaches built in Quebec
The service uses Prevost motorcoaches, manufactured in Quebec and operated by Quebec-based Autobus Galland. Each coach features 48 reclining leather seats with extra legroom, onboard washrooms and power outlets for passengers.
Accessible boarding assistance is available with advance notice through The Landline Company.
Airport congestion remains a concern
While the new shuttle offers another transportation option, it is also a response to an issue that has frustrated Montréal travellers for years.
Traffic congestion at Montréal-Trudeau has become increasingly problematic, particularly during busy travel seasons, with bottlenecks on airport access roads often making travel times difficult to predict. Airport operator ADM says several infrastructure projects are underway to improve access, but those upgrades will take time to complete.
For travellers staying in downtown Montréal, the new shuttle could provide a more predictable—and considerably less expensive—alternative to taxis and rideshare services while avoiding some of the congestion that has become synonymous with getting to and from YUL.
Bookings for the Air Canada City Shuttle are now available through Air Canada and The Landline Company, with service operating daily between downtown Montréal and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport.
About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Headquartered in Montréal, Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million members worldwide. Members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of more than 50 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers a selection of vacation and Flight & Hotel packages, tours, cruises, car rentals, excursions, and a variety of activities and experiences. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada’s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For additional information, please see Air Canada’s TCFD disclosure. Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX (AC).
