Air Canada launches Montreal-Santiago flights and a direct line home for Chilean Montrealers

Oscar Vergara had no idea he'd end up on a piece of Montreal aviation history. The Toulouse-based Chilean was just passing through on his way home when he found himself on Air Canada's inaugural direct flight to Santiago,—a route that's been decades in the making.

"It's unexpected perfect timing," he said at the gate.

The December 16, 2025 launch marks Air Canada's first-ever nonstop service between Montreal and Chile's capital, operating twice weekly through the winter season. It's the airline's fourth South American gateway from the city, joining existing routes to Colombia, Peru, and Brazil as part of a broader expansion strategy that's been underway for more than a decade.

For Montreal's substantial Chilean community—one of the largest in Canada—it's a direct line home.