Edmonton Airports Celebrates Canadian Airlines’ Inaugural Non-Stop Service to Chicago

Edmonton, AB – Edmonton Airports joins Canadian Airlines and community leaders today in celebrating the inaugural flight of Canadian Airlines’ new daily non-stop service to Chicago O’Hare, the world’s busiest airport.

Canadian Airlines Flight 208 now departs Edmonton daily at 07:50, arriving in Chicago at 12:25, where connections can be made on American Airlines, Canadian Airlines’ oneworldà” partner, to more than 100 cities across the U.S. Flight 209 departs Chicago at 14:55, arriving into Edmonton at 17:50. All flights between Edmonton and Chicago will be operated on Canadian Airlines’ 100 seat B737 aircraft, and will offer both Business and Canadian Class service.

“Edmonton Airports congratulates Canadian Airlines for providing this important air link between our two regions,” said Sid Hanson, Chairman of the Board, Edmonton Airports. “Canadian Airlines now provides an option to Edmonton and northern Alberta travellers who prefer to fly on a Canadian flag carrier. With the wide range of convenient connections in Chicago, this is not only service to a major city, but to an entire country and beyond.” In addition to opportunities for the business and leisure traveller, this service presents significant opportunities for cargo development between the two regions. Chicago O’Hare is one of the busiest cargo airports in the world.

Scott Clements, President and CEO of Edmonton Airports, noted the continued support of community leaders for this non-stop service. “A contingent of business and community leaders, led by Team Edmonton’s Mayor Bill Smith, will depart on the inaugural flight to Chicago,” said Clements. These leaders will meet with business and political leaders in Chicago to explore trade, commerce and tourism opportunities between the Edmonton and Chicago regions.

As a non-stop flight across a national border, this flight is an integral component of Edmonton Airports’ Fly Edmonton First campaign. With the addition of Chicago, Edmonton now has non-stop service to four (4) U.S. hub airports. When Edmontonians choose non-stop services that cross a national border, they signal their preference for faster, hassle-free travel to the U.S., which makes it easier to sustain existing services and attract new services in the future. Travellers will also utilize the U.S. preclearance facility in Edmonton, which makes their connections quicker and easier when they arrive in the U.S.