Montreal-based maple-leaf carrier that’s truly stellar

This clue leads to Air Canada. The sections below explain what it refers to, why it matches the clue, and why it may be appearing in the current trend cycle.

Air Canada is the flag carrier and the largest airline of Canada, by size and passengers carried. Air Canada is headquartered in the borough of Saint-Laurent in the city of Montreal. The airline, founded in 1937, provides scheduled and charter air transport for passengers and cargo to 222 destinations worldwide. It operates major hubs at Montréal–Trudeau, Toronto–Pearson and Vancouver. Air Canada is a founding member of the Star Alliance.

Background summary sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA). View source

The clue points to an airline headquartered in Montreal and symbolized by the maple leaf; adding “stellar” nods to its founding role in the Star Alliance. Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, formed in 1937, operating hubs at Montréal–Trudeau, Toronto-Pearson and Vancouver and flying to over 200 global destinations.