Eagle, CO – When Air Canada flight 1051 from Toronto lands at Eagle County Airport in Colorado this morning, it will mark the first-ever nonstop international flight to arrive in the Vail Valley.
The Saturday service runs weekly through April 5, 2014 and is the second nonstop western ski gateway from Toronto, behind Denver. The new flight makes it even easier for those traveling from Toronto and Eastern Canada to ski and snowboard at Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek.
“It’s been great to see Toronto area guests committing to their ski and snowboard vacations in Vail and Beaver Creek through early-booking offers,” said Davy Ratchford, director of sales and marketing for Vail Mountain. “We are thrilled to welcome Air Canada to the Vail Valley and are proud to be able to offer Canadian visitors a seamless transportation option to Vail and Beaver Creek, just in time for the holidays and all winter long.”
A U.S. customs installation in Toronto allows the flight without having to install an international arrivals facility in Eagle.
“What’s particularly exciting about this flight is that existing agreements allow Canadian visitors to clear customs in Canada at the Toronto Pearson International Airport before they depart and after they arrive home,” said Greg Phillips, director of aviation for Eagle County Regional Airport.
The inbound flight is scheduled to depart Toronto each Saturday at 9:50 a.m., arriving at Eagle County Airport at 11:45 a.m., allowing for same-day skiing and riding at Vail or Beaver Creek. Outbound flights from Eagle County Airport will depart at 12:30 p.m., arriving in Toronto at 5:43 p.m., aligned with hotel check-out times or the option to enjoy some perfectly manicured corduroy or fresh powder tracks before the flight home. The 120-seat Airbus A319 offers both Business and Economy class service and features complimentary seatback entertainment throughout the aircraft.
“Air Canada is pleased to launch the only nonstop service from Toronto-Pearson into Eagle County Airport, connecting Canadians with Colorado’s world-famous resorts of Vail and Beaver Creek,” said Marcel Forget, Air Canada’s Vice President, Network Planning. “Travelers eager to begin their ski holiday will appreciate the convenience of a mid-day arrival with just a short, 30-minute drive before reaching the slopes.”
Daily connections are available with Star Alliance partner United Airlines for service from Eagle County Airport to Denver, connecting to Air Canada from Denver to Toronto. Air Canada also offers connections to other major eastern Canadian cities, including Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax.
Eagle County Airport is located approximately 25 miles from Beaver Creek and 35 miles from Vail.