Air Canada has discontinued its ultra-long one-stop service between Toronto and Mumbai via London Heathrow Airport, with the route now removed from upcoming winter schedules. The fifth freedom flight, last operated in March 2026, will not return next season.
The service, operated four times weekly using the Boeing 787-9, had block times reaching up to 22 hours on the return leg. It was among the airline’s longest routes, affected by strong headwinds and restricted airspace over Russia and parts of the Middle East.
Operational challenges played a key role in shaping the route’s viability. The inability to use Russian airspace forced longer routings, while additional detours to avoid Iranian airspace further increased flight time and operational complexity.
Air Canada has previously attempted both nonstop and one-stop services on this sector. While it aims to restore nonstop Mumbai flights in the future, current geopolitical and operational constraints continue to limit feasibility.
