Air Canada's $9 City Shuttle runs from downtown Montreal to Montreal-Trudeau

Getting to Montreal-Trudeau airport just got easier for Air Canada passengers. On July 13, 2026, Air Canada launched the Air Canada City Shuttle. It is a motorcoach that runs between downtown Montreal and the airport for $9 one way, plus tax. Air Canada runs it with The Landline Company, which already operates other Air Canada bus connections. The airline calls the shuttle an expansion of that partnership.

Here is how it works, based on Air Canada's announcement.

Where it goes and how often#

The shuttle runs between the Palais des congrès de Montréal, the city's convention center, and the airport (YUL). There are 37 departures a day. Air Canada says the times are set to connect with its flights.

From downtown to the airport: buses leave every 15 minutes from 4:45 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. After that, they leave every 30 minutes until 9:00 p.m. You wait in a dedicated area at the Palais before boarding. When you reach the airport, you go straight to check-in and bag drop, then security.

From the airport to downtown: buses leave every 15 minutes from 5:15 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. After that, they leave every 30 minutes until the last bus at 10:00 p.m. Pick up your bags, then go to Door 7 on the Departures level, where the coach picks up at the curb.

Children under 15 ride free with an adult. You can book ahead at montreal.landline.com or buy a seat at the airport if space is left.

Why it can be faster than a taxi#

The shuttle uses the highway's high-occupancy vehicle lane. It also uses a private entrance to the airport. Air Canada says this can save up to 25 minutes at peak times compared with the normal airport roads.

"Our customers can now bypass traffic and avoid waiting in taxi lines," said Ranbir Singh, Air Canada's director of regional airlines and markets, in the release.

That matters at YUL, where drop-off traffic can back up badly. Montreal's airport authority, ADM, says new drop-off areas and a REM light rail station are still on the way. Until they open, ADM says, the shuttle is one more option for passengers. Landline says the service also takes cars off the airport access roads.

What happens if the bus is late#

Air Canada makes one promise on delays. If the shuttle runs late and you had at least 95 minutes between the bus and your flight, Air Canada will offer to rebook you for free, if seats are available.

This is different from the Landline buses in Ontario. Those carry an Air Canada flight number and are booked as part of your ticket. The Montreal shuttle is booked separately on Landline's website. So leave yourself plenty of time, especially for international flights. The 95-minute rule is the minimum for a free rebooking, not a suggested connection time.

The bus itself#

The coaches are Prevost models built in Quebec. Each has 48 reclining leather seats with extra legroom, power outlets and a restroom. Quebec-based Autobus Galland operates the service. If you use a wheelchair or other mobility aid, contact Landline before your trip at montreal.landline.com/assistance.

Landline is not new to this. The company says it runs more than 225 daily departures across North America for Air Canada and other airlines, and has carried more than one million passengers.

Who it is for#

The Palais des congrès sits in the heart of downtown, close to many hotels. Its president, Emmanuelle Legault, said in the release that the stop is meant for convention visitors, tourists and Montrealers alike. You do not need an Air Canada ticket to ride, as far as the release says, but the rebooking promise and the flight-timed schedule are built for Air Canada passengers.

Lounges once you're at YUL#

Once you clear security, Air Canada has three Maple Leaf Lounges at Montreal-Trudeau. Which one you use depends on where you are flying:

• Flights within Canada: the domestic Maple Leaf Lounge, up from the domestic concourse between gates 1 and 3. It was renovated in 2026 and has a full bar but no showers. Our readers rate it 3.7 out of 5.
• Flights to the US: the transborder Maple Leaf Lounge, in the US departures area after US preclearance. It has a self-serve bar and rates 3.7.
• International flights: the international Maple Leaf Lounge, one level up past the international barrier near gate 52. It opens at 4:30 a.m., seats about 259, and has two showers. Our users rate it 4.5 out of 5.

Maple Leaf Lounges are open to Signature Class passengers, Aeroplan 50K members and above, Star Alliance Gold members and holders of some Aeroplan credit cards. Business class passengers cannot bring a guest. Elite members can bring one guest on a Star Alliance flight the same day. From January 2027, premium Aeroplan cards will also work at Maple Leaf Lounges outside North America. We covered that change separately.

If you do not qualify, YUL has card lounges too. The Air France-KLM Lounge in the international area takes Priority Pass and rates 4.5, with three showers. The Aspire Lounge (Domestic) rates 4.4. See the full rules on our Maple Leaf Lounge program page, or browse every lounge at Montreal-Trudeau.

My take#

A simple, inexpensive airport transfer is the kind of improvement I find easy to appreciate. I'd still build in a buffer and read the late-bus policy; saving on the ride should not mean gambling on the flight.

Related reading#

• The 10 best Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges, ranked: 2026
• Air Canada’s Vancouver–Singapore nonstop ends in January 2027
• Air Canada's Toronto Signature Suite is closed until December, and affected flyers get a return pass

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