Air Canada is significantly advancing its return to Israel, announcing on Tuesday that direct flights between Tel Aviv and Toronto will resume on November 30, 2026, rather than January 17, 2027, as previously planned. The route will operate four times weekly during the winter season using Dreamliner aircraft featuring three service classes.
The announcement comes after months during which Air Canada suspended its flights to Israel due to the regional security situation. A travel advisory regarding flights to and from Tel Aviv remains active on the airline’s website as part of its Middle East travel updates.
Flights from Tel Aviv will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays aboard Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Passengers will be offered three classes: Business class, premium economy, and economy class. Passengers from Toronto will be able to connect to Air Canada flights to dozens of destinations across Canada, the US, and Latin America, making the route's return relevant to travelers beyond those ending their journey in Toronto.
A round-trip ticket listed on the company's website starts at $1,200, including a checked bag in the hold.
Then came a storm surrounding an Air Canada employee
At the same time, Air Canada was forced to address another issue involving one of its employees.
On September 15, allegations surfaced on social media against Blair Boudreau, identified as an Air Canada inflight service director (purser). According to reports, accounts attributed to him displayed posts over time containing antisemitic statements and severe anti-Jewish and anti-Israel content. Among other things, it was claimed that he posted well-known antisemitic conspiracy theories and calls for violence against Israelis.
The source of the claims stems from documentation and posts shared on social media, rather than an independent finding by Air Canada that all allegations are true. However, the airline confirmed that Boudreau has been removed from service and that a full investigation has been launched. "Air Canada strongly condemns hate speech and the promotion of violence of any kind. The individual has been removed from service and a full investigation has been launched," a company spokesperson said in response to the DansDeals website. The airline added that it has no further comment at this stage.
This is not the first time Air Canada has had to address employee conduct regarding statements about Israel and Jews. In 2023, the airline removed pilot Mostafa Ezzo from service after posts and photos from pro-Palestinian demonstrations containing severe anti-Israel messages and comparisons to Hitler were published on social media. Air Canada later confirmed that Ezzo was no longer employed by the company.
In the current case, the airline has so far limited its response to stating that Boudreau has been removed from service and an investigation is underway. It did not disclose if or when he might return to his role.