No layovers, no hassle, just Vancouver
When Air Canada launched its new nonstop service from Manila to Vancouver, it wasn’t just a route—it was a cultural reconnection; one that brought the Filipino diaspora closer to family in Canada, and made North American travel smoother for those seeking cooler weather, bigger parks, and better pasalubong options.
For years, transiting to North America from the Philippines meant long layovers, complicated routes, and the unpredictability of US immigration checkpoints. Now, Vancouver offers a seamless gateway not only into Canada but also to nearby destinations.
We flew the route ourselves, pairing Air Canada’s direct Manila-Vancouver flight with a short side trip to Seattle, Washington, via Air Canada Express. The goal? A two-city, two-country experience with maximum flavor and minimum fuss. We were on a mission: to eat, explore, and maybe shop just a little bit too hard before boarding the flight home.
Air Canada has done its homework in the Philippines. It knows we love our last-minute bookings, depend on travel fairs, and travel as families (read: with lots of bags). That’s why they’ve rolled out student-friendly fares, added extra baggage allowances on the Flex fare (perfect for balikbayan boxes), and even made visa-denied tickets refundable for students.
They also understand the postpandemic shift toward quality travel over quantity. Think nature, food, and meaningful family time over jam-packed tour itineraries. The Manila-Vancouver flight caters to that mood with generous seat pitch, a restful in-flight experience, and convenient onward connections, especially to Seattle, just an hour away by Air Canada Express.
The Canadian flag carrier has seen the huge potential of the Philippines in its route expansion. Hon Lam, regional general manager for Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, noted that there are a million Canadians of Filipino backgrounds. “Imagine if those one million can bring two, three friends or family coming to visit them, that’s three million potential [passengers] … So this is a year-round route, not just seasonal.”
36 hours in Seattle
After a smooth touchdown in Vancouver International Airport (YVR)—one of the world’s most efficient transit hubs—we connected seamlessly to a short flight down to Seattle, landing with enough energy to tackle 36 flavorful hours in the Emerald City.
After check-in at AC Hotel Seattle Downtown, we kicked things off at Gasworks Brewing, where locals sip small-batch ales while enjoying the view of Lake Union. We walked off all the calories with a stroll to Gas Works Park, an Insta-worthy massive public park on the site of a former gasification plant. From the top of the hill, one can see the Space Needle in the distance.
Filipinos being Filipinos, we managed to squeeze in an express trip to Trader Joe’s, before heading off to the ’70s-inspired Gemini Room for predinner drinks, then a fantastic oyster dinner at Taylor Shellfish Farms, a proudly family-owned affair that combines strict environmental stewardship and heritage to deliver premium, responsibly farmed shellfish.
Next stop: caffeine. We schlepped into the very bougie Starbucks Reserve Roastery, where beans are treated like fine wine and baristas talk flavor notes the way sommeliers talk about oak and tannins. This was this writer’s second trip to this outpost in just a few months, and I still can’t wrap my head around how it has a bar serving alcoholic cocktails side-by-side the coffee bar.
Before making our way to Vancouver the next day, we had an early start to visit the iconic Pike Place Market, where the fish still fly and the tourists still gasp. There, tucked between craft stalls and fishmongers, Oriental Mart’s Leila Rosas welcomed us at her homey Filipino food counter with her beloved salmon sinigang. Ate Lei’s spot, founded by her mother, has been a Pike Place institution for over 30 years.
We also stumbled into Hellenika Cultured Creamery, where Filipino flavors meet gelato, Greek yogurt, and Aussie hospitality. This family-run shop, founded by brothers Alex and Pete Apostolopoulos, makes everything fresh daily—from milk to scoop—and celebrates its Filipino ties with rotating flavors. On our visit, they served us Kapeng Barako, Calamansi Curd, Jackfruit Pandan, and their bestseller, Ube Coconut.
Then, we took a trip to the oldest Starbucks shop next door, where, luckily there were no lines yet (tip: go very early!). But the real coffee highlight? Storyville Coffee, a serene café just above Pike Place Market that feels like a secret. Grab a window seat and pretend you’re writing a novel—or just post that perfect Instagram shot.
Slow living in Van City
Our return to Vancouver marked a shift in pace—from fast bites to slow living. We checked into the Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront, where harbor views greet you each morning and the best of downtown Vancouver is just a walk away.
As is typical when I have little time to see one place, I set out early for leisurely morning runs, this time along the scenic harbor from the hotel, all the way to the forested Stanley Park, and stalked dogs being walked at the many lush parks along the way. It made me ache to move to this city.
On our first full day, we grazed our way through Granville Island Public Market, sampling candied salmon, artisan cheeses, and even chocolates with deep Filipino connections. (Read “Tasting Vancouver’s Soul in Granville Island,” Inquirer Lifestyle, 06/04/25)
We had a cultural stop at the Vancouver Art Gallery, home to both local Indigenous works and contemporary international art, where there was an ongoing Roy Lichtenstein/Douglas Coupland and Otani Workshop exhibits.
Later that day, we indulged in a tasting of ice wines at Lulu Island Winery, made from grapes frozen on the vine. It’s sweet, syrupy, and deeply Canadian—just like Roger, the in-house expert who walked us through the pour.
On our final day, we experienced Pinnacle Hotel’s hospitality via a lunch that included chicharon and kwek-kwek, lovingly prepared by the chef who’s married to a Filipina.
There were also quick catch-ups and shopping trips to quintessential Canadian brands Lululemon and Aritzia, courtesy of family and friends. Because what’s a visit to Canada, even a working one, if you don’t see loved ones living here?
And when it came time to prep for departure? We turned to what Filipinos abroad do best: shopping with surgical precision.
Five minutes from YVR—and one SkyTrain stop away—MacArthurGlen Designer Outlet is where smart travelers spend their final hours (and Canadian dollars).
With brands like Jimmy Choo, On, and Marc Jacobs, it’s basically a well-dressed trap. You tell yourself you’re “just browsing,” then find yourself speed-walking through security with two extra tote bags, a half-open Rimowa, and a receipt roll longer than your eTA form.
Still, it’s cheaper than a therapist—and you got a ton of Lacoste shirts at 40-percent off for pasalubong. Call it retail therapy with a boarding pass.
What sets Air Canada’s Manila-Vancouver route apart isn’t just convenience—it’s design with cultural insight. Whether you’re a student flying with visa uncertainty, a family packing for a reunion, or a wanderlust-consumed nomad seeking nature, this route offers ease, flexibility, and flavor—not to mention two great cities in one smooth itinerary.
Seattle brings the grunge, seafood, and creative fusion. Vancouver brings the calm, beauty, and warmth of a city where diversity is a way of life. With one airline, two countries, and countless discoveries, it’s a journey that feels effortless—but leaves a lasting imprint.
And yes, next time, we’ll bring an extra suitcase. Or two. We’ve learned our lesson.
Air Canada flies direct Manila-Vancouver four times a week. Visit aircanada.com or check out @aircanada, @visitseattle, @destinationvancouver on Instagram. Filipinos with a valid non-immigrant US visa only need to apply online for an eTA (travel authorization) to enter Canada.
