Air Canada Announces New Vancouver to Sapporo Route (YVR–CTS) for Winter 2026

The announcement: nonstop Vancouver to Sapporo is coming

Air Canada announced today (January 21, 2026) that it will launch new nonstop flights between Vancouver (YVR) and Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport (CTS) for the winter season.

This is a meaningful network add for Canadians and anyone connecting through Vancouver: Air Canada is positioning the route as the only nonstop service linking Sapporo to North America, giving travelers a direct gateway to Hokkaido, Japan’s northern island famous for deep powder, winter festivals, hot springs, and food.

Route details (YVR–CTS): season, frequency, aircraft

Air Canada’s new Sapporo route is planned as a winter seasonal service operating three times per week on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Key details from the announcement:

Seasonal timing: winter 2026–2027 (service begins in December 2026 and runs into March 2027)
Frequency: 3x weekly
Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner (with a full long-haul cabin experience, including premium cabins)

Because this is a seasonal route tied to winter demand, it’s designed to line up with Hokkaido’s peak snow conditions and major winter events.

The published schedule and start date

Air Canada’s initial schedule shows the first departure on December 17, 2026, with the route running through late March 2027 (dates may vary slightly depending on the final published season schedule).

Published flight times:

Vancouver (YVR) → Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS): departs 13:25, arrives 15:35 (+1 day)
Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS) → Vancouver (YVR): departs 19:55, arrives 11:10 (same day)

With three weekly frequencies, this schedule is geared toward week-long ski trips, long weekends (with some creative planning), and connecting itineraries from across Canada and the U.S. into YVR.

Why this route is a big deal for ski season

Hokkaido is one of the most sought-after winter destinations in the world for a reason:

Consistently dry, deep snow (especially around Niseko, Furano, Rusutsu, and Kiroro)
A winter culture experience that’s hard to match anywhere else
Reliable après-ski options that include onsen (hot springs), incredible food, and iconic winter events

Sapporo also hosts the famous Sapporo Snow Festival each winter, which draws visitors for massive snow and ice sculptures, food stalls, and city-wide celebrations.

The big win here is simplicity: if you’re starting in Western Canada, getting to Hokkaido usually means at least one connection (often more). A nonstop from Vancouver reduces friction, shortens travel time, and makes “Japan ski trip” planning much more approachable.

What it means for Vancouver as a Pacific hub

Air Canada continues to build Vancouver as a major trans-Pacific gateway, and Sapporo fits the strategy:

Vancouver’s geography supports efficient routings to Asia
YVR is a convenient connection point for travelers from Western Canada, the Prairies, and parts of the U.S.
A winter seasonal destination like Sapporo complements year-round Japan service (and other Asia routes) while keeping aircraft utilization strong during peak leisure months

In plain terms: this route isn’t only for Vancouver travelers. It’s also for anyone who can connect into YVR easily and wants a cleaner path to Hokkaido.

Aeroplan angle: why points collectors should pay attention

Air Canada specifically called out Aeroplan members in its announcement, and this is the type of route where points can become especially valuable:

Long-haul premium cabins can be expensive in cash during peak winter travel periods
Seasonal routes often have pockets of good award space early on, when schedules first open, and again when demand patterns become clearer
If you’re flexible on dates, you can sometimes beat peak pricing by shifting by a few days

If you’re planning to use points, the best practice is to start tracking early and be ready to book when seats become available for the season.

Practical travel tips for YVR–Sapporo

A few things to keep in mind if you’re planning a trip around this route:

Plan luggage for winter gear: if you ski or snowboard, check baggage rules carefully and confirm what’s included with your fare type.
Consider split trips: some travelers will combine Hokkaido with Tokyo or Osaka by adding a domestic flight or train segment on either end.
Build buffer for winter operations: snow in Hokkaido is the point of the trip, but it can also create operational delays—so avoid ultra-tight connections.
Book accommodations early: peak weeks in Niseko and surrounding areas can sell out well in advance.

What to watch next

With a new seasonal route like this, a few things typically evolve between announcement and launch:

Finalized days of operation and any schedule adjustments
Exact season end date for the winter 2026–2027 run
Pricing trends (launch fares vs. peak-period pricing)
Cabin and aircraft assignment consistency as the season approaches

If Air Canada sees strong demand, the long-term upside is obvious: Sapporo could become a returning winter staple, or potentially expand over time—especially as Japan ski travel continues to trend upward globally.

Bottom line

Air Canada’s new nonstop Vancouver to Sapporo route is one of the most exciting winter-focused launches for Canadians in a while. It turns a dream ski destination into a much simpler trip from the West Coast, strengthens Vancouver’s role as a Pacific hub, and gives travelers a direct line to Hokkaido’s snow, festivals, hot springs, and food—right in the heart of peak winter season.