Air Canada is changing the aircraft that services its Fredericton to Toronto run which will extend the trip and eliminate one of its daily runs between the two cities.

Starting this week, Air Canada is using a Bombardier Q400 turboprop plane to fly between Fredericton and Toronto, which replaced the CRJ jet.

David Innes, the president and chief executive officer of the Greater Fredericton Airport Authority, said the change in planes is a mixed blessing for travellers.

The new plane will extend the flight time from two hours and eight minutes to two hours and 30 minutes and the schedule will be reduced to three daily flights from four.

However, Innes said passengers will be flying in a modern aircraft with more legroom and seats.

"We're not losing any seats. There's a little bit of additional time in transit, but I think there are a few more seats available to Toronto and the comfort level's higher and the schedule is still pretty good," Innes said.

Innes said the Q400 turboprop has 74 seats available compared to the 50 seats that are on the CRJ plane.

The airport authority's president said Air Canada's service between Fredericton and Toronto will be completely switched to the Q400 turboprop within a few weeks.