Air Canada’s Plan of Attack Flies Over America

When it comes to maintaining domestic air superiority, U.S. carriers have been shaking their fists at Persian Gulf airlines that have rapidly increased their American presence. Yet there’s another threat that may be growing in their own backyard—or more precisely, just north of it.

Air Canada has been around for 80 years, but only recently sought to parlay torrid growth into global ambition. The company aims to turn its three major Canadian hubs into larger transfer points for global travelers crossing North America. Flying to Europe or Asia? Try Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver as your connection—you may very well like these airports far more than Chicago, New York, or Los Angeles, Air Canada is telling travelers. And the carrier isn’t shy about singing its own praises.

“Every time an American flies up on us they go ‘Oh my God, you’re the best kept secret. How did we not know about this?’” said Ben Smith, Air Canada’s president of passenger airlines. “That is what’s music to my ears.”