To mark Canada Day, 1st July 2023, Air Canada’s Sales Manager of Ireland, Bláithín O’Donnell invited ITTN’s Shane Cullen to the Canada Day celebrations in the EPIC Museum.
Coffee Break with Air Canada’s Bláithín O’Donnell
To find out more, check out our Coffee Break video with Bláithín.
Air Canada Celebrates Canada Day in Ireland
Bláithín O’Donnell (Air Canada) and the Canadian Embassy were celebrating Canada Day in the EPIC Museum in Dublin. This highlights the close ties between both countries. In fact, just outside the EPIC Museum stands Rowan Gillespie’s “Famine” sculptures depicting Irish migration. Perhaps lesser known on Irish shores are the sister sculptures in Toronto by the same artist. This is a poignant reminder of the tens of thousands of migrants who departed these shores and landed in Toronto. Many perished on the journey, more died shortly after and locals who cared for the sick also lost their lives. In fact, such was the number that arrived, nearly 40,000, it doubled the then population of Toronto which was c.20,000 at this time.
In fact, this migration highlights the ties between our two nations through generations of people. Still, Irish flock to Canada aided by the 10,500 IEC working holiday visas that are issued by the Canadian Government to young Irish in search of travel, adventure, and experiences in a new land.
Strong Irish Demand for Canadian Routes
Bláithín shares that, unlike our history, our current ease of travel means friends and family can follow loved ones and keep connected. In fact, this connectivity means load factors onboard Air Canada flights are high with Irish visiting both Canada and friends and family based there.
Air Canada – All Year Round
Air Canada offers year-round flights to Toronto as well as seasonal summer routes to Montreal and Vancouver. All flights from Ireland are onboard Dreamliners (either 787-800 or 787-900 series). In addition, with Air Canada winning Best Canadian Airline, Best Airline Staff in Canada and the World’s Most Family Friendly Airline at the 2023 Skytrax Awards, travellers are in expert hands. Families with children under the age of fourteen will be allocated seats together – a welcome feature for all families. There are also kids’ activity packs, kids’ meals and 75+ hours of inflight entertainment (movies and games) onboard.
Connectivity – Experts in Canada & Beyond
Bláithín detailed that while the airline is a gateway to Canada, it also offers extensive connectivity to key markets, in particular, the USA such as LA, Las Vegas, and Orlando as well as further south with popular destinations being Cancun, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean.
