Air Canada’s leisure arm is to compete with low-cost rival WestJet by also starting transatlantic flights from Gatwick next year.
Air Canada Rouge is to run a summer seasonal service from Gatwick to Toronto.
Flights will start on May 19, 2016 and operate up to seven times a week using a 280-seat Boeing 767-300ER in a two class configuration.
Tickets are due to go on sale on Thursday (July 2) although prices have not been revealed.
Benjamin Smith, Air Canada president, passenger airlines, said: “Our new seasonal Air Canada Rouge service between Toronto and London’s Gatwick airport will complement our extensive operation at London Heathrow, our largest gateway outside Canada with non-stop service from eight Canadian cities.
“Air Canada rouge is ideally-suited to serve London-Gatwick, with its focus on leisure travel and provide easy access to southern London.
“This new service will also make us the only Canadian carrier serving multiple airports in the London region and complements our Air Canada rouge service to Manchester and Edinburgh.”
The flights will provide connections to Canadian domestic services, US trans-border and Air Canada’s international network from its Toronto hub.
WestJet plans to start its first services from Gatwick in spring 2016 with details of routes and fares to be released later this summer.