r/indianapolis • u/IndyUrban • 1d ago
News New Indianapolis-Montreal Direct Flight!
It’s been announced today that Air Canada will begin flying a new direct service between Indianapolis and Montreal, likely starting next spring! Great news for the IND airport and especially for United fliers who receive reciprocal benefits on Air Canada.
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u/notthegoatseguy Meridian-Kessler 1d ago
Could act as a good transfer spot to Europe if the Dublin flight doesn't work for your schedule
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u/Known-Topic2996 1d ago
Canada doesn't require you to go through customs too if you're just connecting onward to Europe. Super easy connection and then you get to use preclearance on the way back too.
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u/whoops-1771 1d ago
Omg if that’s for the way back too then this is a game changer
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u/amazingtaters Windsor Park 1d ago
It's pretty much like connecting at a major US airport given that all flights from YUL utilize preclearance. So you land, bypass full Canadian customs and immigration but clear US customs and immigration there at YUL. They even have Global Entry lanes in the preclearance facility at YUL. Then your flight back to IND would land and you'd get off the plane as though you'd flown from another US airport.
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u/VaderH8er 1d ago
That's great and all, but nothing will beat that CDG-IND nonstop Delta flight a few years ago.
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u/amazingtaters Windsor Park 1d ago
The only downside to that flight were that DL assigned the absolute oldest, most worn out 67s they had and that you had to fly through CDG. Still, it's a shame it didn't come back after the pandemic.
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u/VaderH8er 1d ago
Yeah CDG isn't a great airport by any means. I'm a little biased as I have a Delta CC, but connecting on the continent with an American carrier seems more seamless than Dublin and Aer Lingus, although I haven't flown the Dublin route yet.
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u/Jawa_Droid_Mech 1d ago
Dublin has pre clearance and pretty much flights to anywhere in Europe so it's great despite being on a narrow body.
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u/chibicascade2 1d ago
I mean, we already used Toronto to fly to Athens multiple times. I'd be down for going through Montreal instead, but it does seem redundant
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u/Fallen_God_King 1d ago
This is excellent news for a Canadiens fan residing in Indy!
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u/Glazed-Donutt 1d ago
Not having to route through Toronto or Chicago is the best part of this. Montreal is a great long weekend city and Old Port in the evening is worth the trip on its own.
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u/pumpkinotter Eagle Creek 1d ago
Love this! A great option for visiting ME/VT/NH too
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u/Nice_Reading2782 1d ago
I saw this weekend we have flights to New Haven, CT flight now too
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u/pumpkinotter Eagle Creek 1d ago
We do. Air Canada is far nicer than avelo though
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u/Nice_Reading2782 1d ago
Good to know, I haven't flow avelo yet. Just got back from flying into Manchester, NH which was a nice alternative to BOS. A non-stop would have been nicer though
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u/nadiecakes 1d ago
Can anyone find the actual announcement? I'm looking for this online and can't seem to verify it.
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u/IndyUrban 1d ago
Ishiron is usually very early but I’ve never seen it be incorrect. I would guess we’ll get news later today.
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u/IndyUrban 1d ago
And I was able to confirm by trying to book it. Flight Number is 8564, Looks like it leaves IND at 2pm and arrives YUL at 4:10pm.
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u/TheOneTrueChristian 14h ago
Why do we get a direct to Montreal but not Toronto? Absurd.
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u/IndyUrban 14h ago
We have a seasonal direct to Toronto. It was supposed to be year round, but the actions of our dear leader have (understandably) made Canadians reluctant to visit the states. It’s currently scheduled to end on 10/24, but I’d guess it’ll return next spring, as UA and AC work to build a stronger cross border partnership.
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u/TheOneTrueChristian 14h ago
Hopefully. I'm just annoyed that it's so much struggle to find decent connections for my partner to fly in for Thanksgiving.
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u/RunMysterious6380 1d ago
Lol. It's air Canada. Iykyk. They're absolutely hated by folk that have to fly with them. This isn't a win for Indianapolis.
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u/pizzahead20 1d ago
Can agree about the Air Canada part, but getting a direct flight to YUL is absolutely a win.
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u/RunMysterious6380 1d ago
I know folk who would take the bus or walk, rather than fly with them again, because of how bad a company they are. Canadians hate them. It's not worth the direct flight if you never get there, or get stranded there, and then have to deal with stonewalling and a big FY (especially when there are no other options). And that's on a good day. They're known for not making things right, and then making things worse.
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u/Tall_Pineapple9343 1d ago
I feel that way about Aer Lingus after being stranded for several days in Dublin with no help from Aer Lingus. Used it as a way to get to mainland Europe. Wish we could get that direct flight from IND to CDG back on Delta.
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u/IndyUrban 1d ago
I’ve probably flown AC maybe four times in the last seven years, so my experience is limited but I’ve never had a horrendous experience with them but I will be on the inaugural flight and I’ll be sure to report back here!
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u/RunMysterious6380 1d ago
If you have a bad experience, please come back in June and let us all know. You don't have to look much online to see how and why Air Canada is hated So much, by the people that fly them.
One of my favorite comedians put up a clip about his experiences when he was on tour a few years ago, and damn was it validating for me and his Canadian Audience, and so so many people in the comments. It was one of his most popular clips.
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u/Consistent_Can_6843 1d ago edited 1d ago
Per Airliners.net, starts June 2, once daily.