Air Canada showcases YTZ–LGA route and U.S. expansion on Direct Travel FAM

With Air Canada’s newly launched YTZ–LGA service now in operation, clients can get from downtown Toronto to New York City in 1 hour and 27 minutes flat.

To put the ease of travel between the two metropolitan cities to the test firsthand, yesterday, seven travel advisors from Direct Travel joined Air Canada on a day FAM trip to experience the new transborder route and the newly opened U.S. preclearance facility at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.  

Air Canada’s Matthew Djorsev led the FAM trip to NYC

“The goal of this FAM is to showcase the ease and convenience of travelling to the United States with Air Canada through Billy Bishop Airport – from the quick, complimentary shuttle service from Union Station/Fairmont Royal York to the airport, to the new U.S. preclearance facility,” shared Matthew Djorsev, partner, global accounts at Air Canada, who accompanied the group. “With short walking distances, efficient processing times and a boutique airport experience, this highlights the seamless, stress‑free journey our mutual travellers and corporate clients can expect when flying to the U.S. with Air Canada.”

Visiting Central Perk Coffeehouse in Times Square, a modern-day version of the Friends hangout

In addition to NYC, as part of its major U.S. expansion from Billy Bishop, Air Canada will launch service to Boston on July 1, Washington on June 1 and Chicago on June 1.

“Our objective is for agents to gain firsthand experience with the ease and efficiency of travelling through Billy Bishop, allowing them to confidently articulate the value of this expanding network to our mutual clients, both corporate and leisure,” he shared. 

Aerial view of Manhattan on the Air Canada flight from Billy Bishop to LaGuardia on May 12 

Notably, snack offerings on the new route go beyond the usual cookies and pretzels, with an array of options available for passengers from loaves of cake to fill-sized KitKat bars. 

“Air Canada is the only airline operating from Toronto Island to offer fast, complimentary in‑flight Wi‑Fi, enabling productivity throughout the journey, along with complimentary premium snacks and a selection of beer and wine,” Djorsev noted.

The Direct Travel Group strikes a pose in Times Square

Meanwhile, Nancy Miklian, one of the leisure travel advisors who took part in the day trip, shared that the ease of travel between the two cities opens the door to quick getaways to NYC. 

“If there is a baseball game or a soccer game or a concert that you want to see, it’s easy to do that turnaround, even come down for the night and then leave,” Miklian said. “Travel from YTZ to LGA is a gem. It’s seamless, quick, hassle-free and convenient. The security to USA opens at 6 a.m. – within 20 minutes you are in the departure area checking email.” 

With preclearance now in operation, she said that clients can start their trips as soon as they arrive.

Direct Travel’s Joyce Hanney, Frank Vasquez, Nadian Powell, Nancy Miklian, Ana Pinilla, Glenn Cardoza and Leslie Utter joined Air Canada’s Matthew Djorsev on the FAM 

Also describing the Billy Bishop U.S. experience as seamless, Direct Travel’s Joyce Hanney highlighted that LaGuardia Airport is also much closer to Manhattan than Newark, making the new route an appealing option for travellers and clients. 

“It’s so much better, they don’t have to take the train in from Newark,” she noted. “The airport is fabulous, the preclearance is excellent, that’s a big plus, you just get off the plane and you are there. [Billy Bishop] is very small and quaint so there’s not all the hustle and bustle, it’s a more relaxed, calming experience.”

Before returning home, the advisors experienced the Maple Leaf Lounge at LaGuardia Airport

Another advisor, Glenn Cardoza, who reported that his corporate clients are continuing to travel to the U.S., shared that flying out of Billy Bishop and the new Air Canada service provides a great alternative to flying from Pearson for many of his clients. 

“Prescreening and immigration at Billy Bishop is a big plus for travellers,” he added.  

The 7,000-square-foot Maple Leaf Lounge is located in the new Terminal B Eastern Concourse and is open daily from 5:15 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

While in New York, the FAM group checked out Bryant Park and Central Park, recreated an iconic Friends moment, visited Times Square, tasted some local delights and explored the city before it was time to head back home. But first, the FAM members experienced the Maple Leaf Lounge at LaGuardia Airport, a spacious and airy lounge with ample seating room, a well-stocked bar complete with Kim Crawford wine, and a variety of hot and cold dining options. As for getting downtown, the group took the free Q70 shuttle from the airport to the subway.

“Today’s experience highlighted our service to New York-LaGuardia, with nonstop service from Billy Bishop, not to forget additional service starting from Billy Bishop to Chicago O’Hare, Boston and Washington (IAD) launching very soon,” added Djorsev. 

With Air Canada’s newly launched YTZ–LGA service now underway, day trips to NYC are within reach… just ask these advisors!