Air Canada has announced it will begin offering new non-stop regional flights from London and Windsor to Montreal, beginning July 2.

The airline says the permanent year-round service is a strategic expansion of its domestic network.

"With the continued growth in the southern Ontario market, we see the opportunity to add new non-stop services and provide additional convenient travel options," said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada.

The daily flight from Windsor to Montreal will depart at 11:10 a.m. and the London-to-Montreal excursion will leave at 3:20 p.m. The flights from London will be operated by Air Canada Express Jazz using 78-seat Bombardier Q-400 aircraft. The flights originating from Windsor will use 50-seat Bombardier CRJ jets.

European connections

Air Canada said the flights are timed to make connections with Atlantic Canada and European destinations, including Brussels, Rome, Geneva, Barcelona, Lisbon, Paris, Lyon, Frankfurt and Casablanca, Morocco.

Direct flights from Montreal will land in Windsor each day at 10:39 a.m. and in London at 3:37 p.m.

The airline says flights can be purchased now at aircanada.com, via the Air Canada app and through travel agents.

Earlier this month WestJet announced it will be offering non-stop service between London and Vancouver beginning June 29. The limited edition service will be available three times a week until Sept. 7.