If you’ve ever dreamt of taking a luxury train ride through the wilderness, it might be closer to home than you thought. The Rocky Mountaineer gives you the chance to experience an unforgettable multi-day train journey through the Rocky Mountains, with three distinct routes across Canada (and one in the United States). From the stunning views to the gourmet cuisine, you’ll find plenty of reasons to book a ticket and make this journey your next vacation.
What Is It Like Onboard A Luxury Train Car?
Onboard the train, you’ll find glass-domed coaches for incredible panoramic views of the passing scenery. There’s even an outdoor viewing area to take your experience to another level. You’ll be able to view spectacular mountain landscapes and alpine lakes while dedicated hosts provide insight into historic sites, scenery, and wildlife along the way.
The services and amenities aboard the Rocky Mountaineer are like that of a luxury hotel. Some routes include lounge cars and separate dining. Hosts and culinary staff are there to keep your wine glass full and prepare gourmet meals inspired by local cuisines. Breakfast and lunch are usually served aboard the train, with some dinners included for certain train journeys.
Although the journeys can last anywhere from 2 days to a week (or more!), there are no sleeper cars or cabins on the Rocky Mountaineer. Instead, guests are transported to hotels in the stopovers located along the route. Accommodation, transfers, and luggage delivery are all included in the package price.
This means you can enjoy the scenery and amenities during the daylight and relax in a comfortable hotel in the evenings – or enjoy a dinner out. You also have the option of extending your stay in various cities along the way to explore all there is to offer.
Packages, Options, and Upgrades
There are quite a few options when it comes to the packages and services offered (in addition to route variations). First, you can choose a one-way or “circle journey,” where you can combine different routes to create an extended or roundtrip journey. Packages can be anywhere from 2-14 days, and there is a lot of room for customization and the option to explore stopover locations more fully.
Some options for add-ons include day tours and sightseeing transfers. It’s important to note that on the longer journeys, only a few of those days are fully aboard the train, while the remaining days are often sightseeing or bus tours.
There are two basic service packages for each journey, regardless of the length or destination – SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf. The main difference is the type of train car. SilverLeaf offers a single-level coach, while GoldLeaf is a double-level coach with a seating area on the second level and dining on the first level.
Both have a glass dome roof for the best scenic views, although the upgraded GoldLeaf service claims to have a larger full-dome roof. There are also more dining options and signature cocktails available for GoldLeaf passengers.
Rocky Mountaineer Routes
Although there are options to combine, extend, or customize your trip, there are four main routes – three across the Canadian Rocky Mountains and one through the U.S. Rocky Mountains.
First Passage to the West: Vancouver – Kamloops – Banff / Lake Louise
Journey Through the Clouds: Vancouver – Kamloops – Jasper
Rain Forest to Gold Rush: Vancouver – Whistler – Quesnel – Jasper
Rockies to the Red Rocks: Moab – Glenwood Springs – Denver
All journeys are available in both directions, so you can choose to start in one of the destination locations.
What does a luxury train journey cost?
Such a unique and unforgettable experience does come with a high price tag. Generally speaking, luxury train travel is more expensive than other forms of travel. However, unlike other modes of transport, the extra cost includes amenities like fine dining, overnight hotels, and some tours and excursions.
On the Rocky Mountaineer, a two-day journey starts at around $1455 USD, with two-week packages up to nearly $8,000 USD. While it can be expensive, it’s worth considering if you’re looking to have a memorable one-of-a-kind experience.
Punta Cana is the Dominican Republic’s pride and joy and welcomes travelers from all over the world every year. This year has seen a strong uptake in visitors after two years of lockdowns, and the country has consistently broken tourism records this summer. Punta Cana is a popular destination for travelers who want to stay at an all-inclusive resort, especially over the winter. Punta Cana’s world-class beaches and year-round warm weather make for a perfect winter getaway.
To aid with winter trip planning, Travel Off Path has compiled an extensive list of every U.S. and Canadian city with direct flights to Punta Cana this winter.
Each city below offers a direct flight to Punta Cana between December 2022 and March 2023. Airlines that fly each route are listed, as well as the days of the week they operate. For an extra planning tool, we’ve also listed some example fares from a few U.S. and Canadian cities at the end of this article.
U.S. Cities Flying Direct To Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
Flight Time: 2 hr 17
Airlines & Service Days:
JetBlue: M | T | W |Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Southwest: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Spirit: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Miami (MIA)
Flight Time: 2 hr 31
Airlines & Service Days:
American: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Orlando (MCO)
Flight Time: 2 hr 46
Airlines & Service Days:
Frontier: T | Th | Fr | Su
Spririt: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Charlotte (CLT)
Flight Time: 3 hr 22
Airlines & Service Days:
American Airlines: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Atlanta (ATL)
Flight Time: 3 hr 23
Airlines & Service Days:
Delta: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Frontier: M | W | Fr | Sa
Washington (IAD)
Flight Time: 3 hr 46
Airlines & Service Days:
United: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Philadelphia (PHL)
Flight Time: 3 hr 54
Airlines & Service Days:
American: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Baltimore (BWI)
Flight Time: 3 hr 55
Airlines & Service Days:
Southwest: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
New York City (JFK)
Flight Time: 3 hr 55
Airlines & Service Days:
Delta: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
JetBlue: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
American: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
New York (EWR)
Flight Time: 3 hr 57
Airlines & Service Days:
JetBlue: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
United: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Houston (IAH)
Flight Time: 4 hr 05
Airlines & Service Days:
United: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Cleveland (CLE)
Flight Time: 4 hr 13
Airlines & Service Days:
Austin (AUS)
Flight Time: 4 hr 18
Airlines & Service Days:
JetBlue: M | W | Fr | Sa | Su
Detroit (DTW)
Flight Time: 4 hr 20
Airlines & Service Days:
Delta: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Chicago (MDW)
Flight Time: 4 hr 20
Airlines & Service Days:
Chicago (ORD)
Flight Time: 4 hr 30
Airlines & Service Days:
Frontier: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
United: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
St. Louis (STL)
Flight Time: 4 hr 23
Airlines & Service Days:
Frontier: M | W | Fr | Sa
Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
Flight Time: 4 hr 25
Airlines & Service Days:
American: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Boston (BOS)
Flight Time: 4 hr 29
Airlines & Service Days:
Delta: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Minneapolis (MSP)
Flight Time: 4 hr 56
Airlines & Service Days:
Sun Country: M | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Delta: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Canadian Cities Flying Direct To Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
London (YXU)
Flight Time: 4 hr 05
Airlines & Service Days:
Hamilton (YHM)
Flight Time: 4 hr 20
Airlines & Service Days:
Toronto (YYZ)
Flight Time: 4 hr 20
Airlines & Service Days:
WestJet: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Air Transat: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Air Canada: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Halifax (YHZ)
Flight Time: 4 hr 30
Airlines & Service Days:
Montreal (YUL)
Flight Time: 4 hr 30
Airlines & Service Days:
Air Canada: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Air Transat: M | T | W | Th | Fr | Sa | Su
Quebec City (YQB)
Flight Time: 4 hr 35
Airlines & Service Days:
Air Transat: M | T | Th | Fr | Su
Moncton (YQM)
Flight Time: 4 hr 35
Airlines & Service Days:
Ottawa (YOW)
Flight Time: 4 hr 40
Airlines & Service Days:
Calgary (YYC)
Flight Time: 6 hr 40
Airlines & Service Days:
Example Fares
Knowing which cities fly direct to Punta Cana is useful. Still, pricing is nearly always one of the determining factors for trip planning. To help with trip planning, we’ve included several sample fares below. Only fares that included a carry-on were considered, and all prices were found using Google Flights.
Toronto (YYZ) to Punta Cana (PUJ)
Note: Price fluctuates from December to March but rarely exceeds $300. February and March show more favorable rates, closer to $254.
New York City (JFK) to Punta Cana (PUJ)
Note: Price fluctuates from December to March, but deals can be found consistently for under $200.
Maimi (MIA) to Punta Cana (PUJ)
Note: Price fluctuates from December to March, but deals can be found consistently for under $200.
Chicago (ORD) to Punta Cana (PUJ)
Note: Price fluctuates considerably from December to March, sometimes exceeding $500.
This article originally appeared on Travel Off Path. For the latest breaking news that will affect your next trip, please visit: Traveloffpath.com
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
Canadian airlines such as Air Canada and WestJet have been accused of making up excuses in order to avoid paying compensation to travelers. As anyone who has traveled over the past few months will admit, the travel industry is a mess right now. From spiraling flight costs to flights that are delayed or canceled completely – not to mention luggage going missing in great numbers – flying right now is a not an easy endeavour.
Yet whilst travelers can usually consider themselves protected against the worst, travelers in Canada have accused airlines of offering wishy-washy excuses to get out of paying compensation. Through a series of actions such as changing their stories and reasons for their delays and cancellations and not offering details, passengers have grown weary of airlines in Canada trying to get out of paying compensation – and they demand better. Here’s a closer look at this story, plus a recap of passenger rights and how they should benefit from flights that have been affected.
Airlines Making Excuses – What Travelers Should Know
Whilst passengers are seemingly well protected in the event of delays in theory, in practice the reality is quite different, as a growing number of Canadian travelers are beginning to find out this year. More and more travelers have criticized the response to their valid claims for compensation by large airlines such as Air Canada and WestJet, accusing them of making up excuses and stretching the truth in order to get out of their legal requirement to pay compensation to travelers.
Passenger Scott Aalgaard described what he called highly suspicious excuses from Air Canada for denying his right to compensation. He was first notified that his flight had been delayed on July 5th due to a ‘maintenance issue‘. Eventually the flight was cancelled due to ‘staffing issues‘.
Three days later when he filed for compensation, he was denied because his flight was cancelled due to a ‘labor dispute‘ outside the airlines control.
This isn’t the first time passengers have gone public to the media. One such traveler highlighted an incident that saw herself and her fiancé – who were on the same flight – filing for compensation after a delay of six hours on Christmas Day. Her partner was awarded $700 in compensation for the delay in line with the current legal requirements. However, she was left empty handed after Air Canada replied that the delay was due to a safety-related “technical fault”, thus making it outside the airline’s control and not warranting compensation. Two identical passengers, two wildly different outcomes.
That isn’t the only example of funny business that has been brought to the fore. Other passengers have complained of airlines flip-flopping between different reasons for delays and rejecting claims for compensation despite the reasons being within the airline’s control and thus worthy of redress, such as flight crew availability. Other airlines, such as WestJet, have been criticized for not providing travelers with adequate details of why their flight has been canceled, making filing a claim difficult.
This isn’t the first time that travelers have been suspicious of airlines trying to get out of paying compensation. An inquiry that finished in November 2021 stated that whilst they found no evidence the airlines “intentionally misled passengers,” they did however feel that information provided to travelers “was inadequate, terse and unclear.” The CTA has called on travelers to file complaints if they feel aggrieved.
Passenger Compensation – Information For Travelers
In the event that travelers in Canada are subjected to a delayed or a cancelled flight, they are within their rights to receive compensation from their airline. For large airlines, such as Air Canada or WestJet, the levels of compensation a are as follows:
3-6 hour delays – $400
6-9 hour delays – $700
9+ hour delays – $1000
Travelers on small airlines are also due redress for delayed flights, though these amount to sums of $125, $250 and $500 for the same respective delay lengths as above.
Compensation is only due to passengers who face a delay or cancellation that is within the airline’s control, and isn’t safety-related. Travelers have a year to make a claim for compensation and whilst airlines can offer alternative forms of compensation, such as flight tickets, vouchers or credit, passengers are within their rights to ask for it in monetary form. Such rights were enshrined in an update to policy from the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) on December 15th, 2019.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
Although hopes were high for the first restriction-free travel season, the current chaos seen at airports is making two years of Covid look more and more like a mild disturbance. Flight delays, cancellations, lost luggage reports and emergency re-routing due to air traffic congestion are now widespread across the industry.
No matter how seasoned a traveler is, or how early they check in and arrive at the airport, there is now a risk they may miss their flight anyway, as wait lines get bigger and security staff struggle to keep up with the endless flow of people. Even though the entire word is facing this travel misery, there is one country being hit much harder than others.
On top of handling the stratospheric passenger numbers, a challenge on its own now that staff is limited, this nation’s tale of woe can be largely attributed to one thing: the Covid regulations they continue to enforce at their outer borders, and that only increase bureaucracy and make delays far worse.
Welcome to Canada, the land of the f… Flight delays?
Is Canada The Last Country You Want To Be Traveling To Now?
If you’re one of our avid readers, you might have noticed Canada has featured a lot on Travel Off Path lately, and for all the wrong reasons. While other countries are now being praised for relaxing restrictions and emerging from a two-year state of emergency, Canada is one of a select few in the Western World where Covid travel regulations still apply.
Besides the most obvious consequence – lost revenue and the devastation of the tourism sector – another problem arising from these strict border policies are the airport delays. Currently, in order to enter Canada, passengers must present a vaccine certificate, unless exempt, and download the ArriveCan app.
It may sound like two simple requirements, but Canadian authorities have been known to thoroughly check that incoming passengers are complying with health measures, even subjecting them to random testing on arrival. Inevitably, these policies have hampered the industry’s full recovery, and it seems like it’s only making airport delays worse.
According to Canada’s Conservative Party, during the July 1 weekend, passengers transiting Canadian airports suffered more flight delays than others in ‘nearly any other country in the world’. The opposing has repeatedly called for the Trudeau Administration to drop the remaining rules, seen as a major contributor to this travel chaos.
In their latest tweet addressed to the Government, the Conservatives were the ones to (ironically) urge the Liberals to ‘axe’ the ArriveCan app and eliminate ‘unscientific’ mandates. The party believes that, by removing these barriers to travel, Canada’s economy will return to ‘pre-pandemic normal’ and the disruptions will ease.
Travel Disruptions May Not Be Exclusive To Canada, But Hard Rules Are Certainly Not Helping
To be fair to the Canadian Government, this alarming spate of delays is not a Canadian-exclusive concern. Numerous countries in Europe, including those that have dropped all Covid rules, have been struggling just the same, as the travel floodgates open and the lack of staff forces airlines to scale back operations.
That being said, none of these countries’ flag carriers have announced they are axing over 9000 flights this summer, or are recording tourist figures far below 2019 levels. Canada’s travel industry is hanging by a thread due to the the country’s self-inflicted, crippling restrictions, and the longer this goes on, the harder it will be for travel to fully resume.
Even after the mass cancelling of flights, which provoked the ire of hundreds of thousands of Canadians, Air Canada and Toronto’s Pearson Airport stubbornly ranked as the worst for flight delays worldwide on June 26. As reported by The Canadian Press, 65 per cent of Air Canada’s flights arrived late.
In fact, the top three reveal has only served to tarnish Canada’s reputation as a global hub: all spots were claimed by Canadian carriers. Montreal-based Jazz Aviation was allocated in the runner-up slot, narrowly followed by Air Canada Rouge, with a large percentage of flights landing late – at times, much later – than originally scheduled.
When it comes to airports, Canada’s busiest airport Pearson, serving Toronto, was the only one to have more than half of all flight departures delayed. The North American country also saw a second airport chart inside the top ten, as Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau was ranked the tenth worst airport for flight disruptions right now.
What Are My Rights When My Flight Is Canceled?
The origin of the crisis can be traced back to the travel resurgence now that Covid is largely under control and staffing issues at airports: the perfect recipe for disaster. Faced with criticism, Canada’s Government has reacted and recently announced all canceled flights in Canada will be refunded regardless of reason.
The new regulation aims to appease customers who might be feeling anxious regarding travel this summer, or are even reconsidering flying due to the volatile scenario and the horror stories coming out of airports. Regretfully, as it is yet to come into effect, passengers have remained at the mercy of understaffed airlines.
As per the ‘Long Delay and Flight Cancellation Notice‘, under the Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations (shortened APPR), if an Air Canada flight is delayed for three hours or more, or canceled, passengers have a right to be compensated. This includes food and drink in ‘reasonable quantities’ and free accommodation.
Will My Rights As A Passenger Be Respected?
Even though Air Canada is legally bound to offer refunds for long delays or cancellations, this rule has reportedly not been followed. In a viral video posted to TikTok, a frustrated customer (identified as @lala.haze) details her stressful experience with the airline following a six-hour delay, only to have her flight cancelled.
According to the TikTok user, she then proceeded to call the airline. In her own words, after no help was provided at the front desk, she waited on hold for ‘over six hours’ until being rebooked on a flight leaving in the morning. Hotel and food expenses were not covered by Air Canada and the passenger faced a further 4 hour delay the next day.
The cherry on top? Her luggage reportedly didn’t make the next flight, and only $10 were offered as compensation. In the comment section, others shared their own Air Canada stories, ranging from equally bad experiences to more satisfactory ones. The airline has not offered a comment on this particular case.
Travel Insurance Is Key
Covid may have dwindled, but the pandemic-era unpredictability is still very much present. With all the havoc being wreaked in the travel world, we strongly advise you to get insured for delays, cancellations and lost luggage ahead of boarding your next flight. You can read more about Travel Insurance for 2022 here.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
For most of air travel history, Canadians have gotten the shaft when it comes to flight availability, cheap tickets, and cool far-flung routes. We’ve watched our neighbor to the south get the most amazing flight connectivity, while we’ve had to pay higher prices for less exciting destinations. However, as of 2022 there are now more airlines, flight routes, and direct international destinations than ever before.
That’s right Canadians, it’s time to travel. With the addition of many low-cost airlines to Canada’s sky, all the airlines have had to pull up their socks and give the best offerings possible, despite the pandemic, rising fuel costs, and staff shortages.
Canada now flies direct to more cities than ever before, and there are some great deals to be had.
But what airlines are new to Canada this year? And where do they fly? What are prices like? What about seats and bags?
This Canadian airline guide is going to go over:
ALL the major airlines operating in Canada, with info on the new ultra-low-cost airlines like Lynx, Swoop, and Jetlines
Every city they fly to
What some unique routes are for each airline
What sets them apart from the others, pros and cons
Info on seats and bags
Everything else you need to know about these Canadian airlines
Air Canada
Air Canada, the nation’s flag carrier, is the biggest airline in Canada with the most destinations served. The actual Air Canada brand flies to a massive list of cities, and of course with its position in the Star Alliance, the ability to connect with 1-stop to almost any corner of the planet. Air Canada’s base is out of Montreal and is more popular with Eastern Canadians.
Pros
Huge selection of destinations and routes
On average, more seat width, leg room, and baggage allowance than other Canadian airlines
The ability to earn and use popular Aeroplan points for flights
Multiple planes that feature business class, including lay-flat ‘pod’ type seats
Great network of lounges worldwide
Cons
Can be one of the most expensive airlines to book on (although good deals can always be found)
Some people feel the brand and the vibe is a little old school when compared to the other airlines
Where does Air Canada fly DIRECT?
Here is a list of cities that Air Canada currently flies to that can be reached with a direct non-stop flight, spoiler alert, there’s a LOT.
in Canada
BC – Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Kamloops, Penticton, Castlegar, Cranbrook, Prince George, Terrace, Prince Rupert, Smithers, Fort St. John AB – Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray SK – Saskatoon, Regina MB – Winnipeg ON – Toronto, Thunder Bay, Sault St Marie, Timmins, Sudbury, North Bay, London, Windsor, Ottawa QC – Quebec City, Montreal, Rouyn-Noranda, Saguenay, Sept Iles NL– Deer Lake, St. John’s, Gander, Goose Bay NS – Halifax, Sydney PE – Charlottetown NB – Moncton, Frederickton, Saint john NT – Yellowknife YT – Whitehorse
in the U.S.
Alaska – Anchorage Arizona – Phoenix California – San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego Colorado – Denver Connecticut – Hartford Florida– Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers, Miami, Fort Lauderdale Georgia – Atlanta, Savannah Hawaii – Honolulu, Maui, Kona, Lihue Illinois – Chicago Indiana – Indianapolis Louisiana – New Orleans Nevada – Las Vegas New York – New York Maryland – Baltimore Massachusetts – Boston Michigan – Detroit Minnesota – Minneapolis Missouri – Kansas City, St. Louis North Carolina – Raleigh, Charlotte Ohio – Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh, Philadelphia RhodeIsland – Providence Tennessee – Memphis, Nashville Texas – Austin, Houston, Dallas Utah – Salt Lake City Washington – Seattle Washington D.C.
Mexico
Cancun Cozumel Huatulco Ixtapa Puerto Vallarta Mexico City San Jose Del Cabo
Caribbean and Central America
Antigua Aruba Bahamas – Nassau, Georgetown Barbados – Bridgetown Bermuda Belize – Belize City Cayman Islands Cuba– Havana, Varadero, Santa Clara, Cayo Coco, Holguin Curacao Costa Rica – San Jose, Libiera Dominican Republic – Puerto Plata, Samana, Punta Cana Haiti – Port au Prince Guadaloupe Grenada Jamaica – Montego Bay, Kingston El Salvador – San Salvador Martinique Panama – Panama City St. Lucia St. Maarten St. Kitts St. Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago – Port of Spain Turks and Caicos – Providenciales
South America
Argentina – Buenos Aires Brazil – Sao Paulo Colombia – Bogota Chile – Santiago Ecuador – Quito Peru – Lima
Isreal – Tel Aviv UAE – Dubai Egypt – Cairo Qatar – Doha India – Mumbai, Delhi China – Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai Japan – Tokyo, Osaka South Korea – Seoul Taiwan – Taipei
Oceania
Australia – Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney New Zealand – Auckland
Pet Policy
Yes. Air Canada allows 1 small cat or dog per passenger is allowed in the cabin if: A $50 fee is paid within North America, $100 for international, the carrier counts as your carry-on bag, the dimensions are 10 x 15 x 21 and you give at least 24 hours notice.
Seats and Leg Room
Economy: Air Canada has 18″ wide seats in economy on most of their planes, which is 1″ wider than most other airlines. They also have 31-34″ seat pitch/ legroom on most aircraft, except for some Rouge planes that only give 29″
Premium Economy: You’ll get a wider seat on almost every premium economy flight, with an average of 19-24″, with 37-38″ seat pitch / legroom, which is a great upgrade from economy.
Business: In a non-lay flat bed seat, business seats have an average width of 20-21″.
Checked Bags
Checked bags are free when:
Traveling to Europe (even with a normal economy ticket)
in Premium Economy or Business
or with at least 25K elite status
Otherwise, checked bags in economy are $30 for the first and $50 for the second.
Carry On Bags
Air Canada allows you to bring both a personal item and a carry-on bag for free. They have the largest personal item size allowance in the country at 17 x 6 x 13″ and the largest carry-on bag size at 21.5 x 9 x 15.5″
WestJet
WestJet is Canada’s 2nd biggest airline with its base in Calgary, making it a very popular option for Western Canucks. They’ve grown tremendously in the past 15 years and have added many new routes with no signs of slowing down.
Pros
WestJet gets a better overall customer review score, outranking Air Canada
WestJet does have some code sharing with OneWorld and Skyteam, which helps with longer international trips.
Cons
Many of WestJet’s planes, even the new ones, don’t have entertainment screens installed.
You have to be flying pretty far, like to Europe on one of their new 787s, in order to get any free food.
While WestJet used to be cheaper than Air Canada, in almost every case they now have identical pricing
Where does WestJet fly DIRECT?
Here is a list of cities that Westjet currently flies to that can be reached with a direct non-stop flight.
in Canada
BC – Abbotsford, Comox, Cranbrook, Dawson Creek, Fort Saint John, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, Penticton, Prince George, Terrace, Victoria, Vancouver AB – Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Lethbridge, Grande Prairie, Lloydminister, Medicine Hat SK – Saskatoon, Regina MB – Winnipeg, Brandon ON – Toronto, Hamilton, London, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Windsor QC – Montreal, Quebec City NL– Deer Lake, St. John’s, Gander, Sydney NS – Halifax PE – Charlottetown NB – Moncton, Frederickton, Saint john NT – Yellowknife YT – Whitehorse
in the U.S.
Arizona – Phoenix California – Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Francisco, San Diego Colorado – Denver Florida – Fort Myers, Tampa, Orlando Georgia – Atlanta Hawaii – Maui, Kona, Kauai, Honolulu Maine – Boston Nevada – Las Vegas New York – New York Oregon – Portland South Carolina – Myrtle Beach Texas – Houston Tennessee – Nashville Washington – Seattle
Mexico
Cancun Cozumel Huatulco Ixtapa Manzanillo Mazatlan Merida Puerto Vallarta San Jose Del Cabo
Caribbean and Central America
Antigua and Barbuda Aruba Belize – Belize City Bermuda – St. George Bahamas – Nassau Barbados – Bridgetown Cayman Islands – Georgetown Costa Rica – Liberia, San Jose Cuba – Holguin, Santa Clara, Varadero Dominican Republic – Puerto Plata, Punta Cana Honduras – Roatan Jamaica – Kingston, Montego Bay Puerto Rico – San Juan St. Lucia – Vieux Fort St. Maarten – Philipsburg
Europe
Barcelona, Spain Dublin, Ireland Edinburgh, Scotland Glasgow, Scotland London, England Paris, France Rome, Italy
Pet Policy
Yes. Westjet allows a 1 pet in the cabin if they meet these rules: Passengers must call at least 48 hours prior to Westjet to confirm, the kennel cannot be larger than 16 x 8.5 x 10, and the payment of a fee, $50 in Canada and the U.S. and $100 for international flights.
Seats and Leg Room
Economy: WestJet has 17″ wide seats in economy on most of their planes, which is 1″ less than Air Canada. They also have 31-36″ seat pitch/ legroom on most aircraft, so the planes with 34-36 give WestJet a huge legroom advantage.
Premium Economy: Most of WestJet’s Premium Economy (or ‘Plus’ seating), is the same seats as economy, but with the middle seat blocked off with a makeshift table, making the width the same as economy, 17″. A few planes have been retro-fitted with proper PE seats, those give 19-20″ width, and a massive 38″ seat pitch / legroom.
Business: On their 787’s, the business class seats turn into a lie-flat bed, with 21″ width and 46″ seat pitch / legroom.
WestJet Economy Seats on the 787 Dreamliner
Checked Bags
Checked bags are free when:
Booking an econoflex, premium economy or business ticket
When you book the flight with a Westjet credit card
Otherwise, checked bags in economy are $30-35 for the first and $50-$59 for the second in North America, and $60-71 and $90-107 respectfully for Europe.
Carry On Bags
WestJet allows you to bring both a personal item and a carry-on bag for free. The personal item size allowance is 16 x 6 x 13″ and carry-on bag size at 21 x 9 x 15″
Swoop
Swoop is the largest new kid on the block when it comes to Canadian airlines, and probably the largest example of success when it comes to an ultra-low-cost airline in the country.
The tickets can be extremely cheap, think as low as $79 for international flights down to Mexico or the U.S., but know they charge for absolutely everything past that. If you are a light traveler, you can save some serious money with Swoop, plus they have routes the big guys don’t have. We flew the Kelowna – Winnipeg route when it first came out and did a full review.
Pros
Incredibly low prices on airline tickets, we’ve seen prices as low as $29, which is something Canada hasn’t seen in decades.
Owned by WestJet, so you know the quality is there
The ability to fly direct on less popular routes that WestJet and Air Canada don’t operate
Cons
You’re charged for absolutely everything. If you want to pick seats and bring lots of luggage, you can easily jack the price up as high as the major full-service carriers.
The routes, while seriously growing all the time, are still nowhere near AC or WJ’s offerings.
Planes are not as comfortable and really only offer 1-class of seating. The only way to score some extra leg room is to pick an emergency row or front of the plane, which can cost $25-50 extra.
Pets are not allowed on Swoop flights
Where does Swoop fly DIRECT?
Here is a list of cities that Swoop currently flies to that can be reached with a direct non-stop flight.
in Canada
Abbotsford Charlottetown Comox Deer Lake Edmonton Halifax Hamilton Kelowna London Moncton Ottawa Regina Saint John Saskatoon St. John’s Toronto Victoria Winnipeg
in the U.S.
Chicago Las Vegas Los Angeles Nashville New York Orlando Palm Springs Phoenix (Mesa) San Diego San Francisco St. Pete / Clearwater
Mexico and Caribbean
Cancun, Mexico Kingston, Jamaica Los Cabos, Mexico Mazatlan, Mexico Montego Bay, Jamaica Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Unique Routes
Edmonton and Abbotsford to Mazatlan, Mexico (seasonal, winter)
Edmonton to San Diego, seasonal (summer, early fall)
Winnipeg to Kelowna, seasonal (summer, early fall)
Swoop had some other unique flights, like Kelowna to Las Vegas direct, that disappeared during the pandemic. Hopefully, they will soon return.
No. Swoop does not allow pets in the cabin, not even as service animals.
Seats and Leg Room
Economy: Swoop only has economy seats, with an average of 29″ pitch / leg room, and 17″ inch wide seat. On available planes, the extra leg room seats that are available for purchase for $25-$50 at time of booking will get you another 4-6″ of leg room. (They go up in price if purchased later on.)
Checked bags have a cost on Swoop, and so does the time frame of when you buy them. All costs below are based on buying them at the same time the ticket is purchased. If you sign on and modify an existing booking to add a bag later, it’s an additional $10 fee, and if you add a bag at the airport, it’s an additional $20 fee. They also add a $2 summer and Christmas ‘peak’ fee to all baggage prices.
Short distance (less than 1000km) $36.75 Medium distance (1000 to 3000km) $46 Long distance (3000+km) $56.50
Checked bags are limited to 50 lbs
Carry on Bags
Welcome to ultra-low-cost airlines where a carry-on bag costs money to bring on board. Swoop charges for carry-on and applies the same pricing matrix we talked about above. The best price is at booking, then $10 more afterward, and $20 more at the airport. Along with the $2 extra fee during summer and Christmas.
Swoop max carry-on size: 21 x 9 x 15″
Short distance (less than 1000km) $36.75 Medium distance (1000 to 3000km) $46 Long distance (3000+km) $56.50
A personal item is free on Swoop, but can’t exceed 16 x 6 x 13″
Swoop plane landing in Kelowna, BC
Air Transat
Air Transat is Canada’s largest vacation and charter airline based out of Quebec. In 2021, Air Canada canceled their acquisition deal of the airline. The flights are mostly targeted at snowbirds going to the states and vacationers heading to Mexico, the Caribbean, and even some impressive European routes.
Pros
Great deals to both popular routes, like Los Angeles and Cancun, but also to some more unique places like Cartagena, Colombia and Malaga, Spain.
They have a ‘club’ class, which is very similar to a business class-type seat, offering very comfortable ways to vacation hotspots that other airlines don’t.
You can earn Aeroplan points on flight due to their agreement with the Star Alliance
Carry-on bags are free
Cons
Many of the routes are extremely seasonal, so they won’t be available all year
Some planes have a 16.5″ wide seat in economy, which is a tight squeeze for many.
Pricing for the ‘Club’ cabin (which is a version of business class) can get quite pricey considering it’s not a full-service business class product. Deals can always be found, but the standard pricing can be eye-opening for a charter airline.
Where does Air Transat fly DIRECT?
Here is a list of cities that Air Transat currently flies to that can be reached with a direct non-stop flight.
FROM Canada
Calgary Montreal Quebec Toronto Vancouver
in the U.S.
California – Los Angeles, San Francisco Florida – Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, Tampa Louisiana – New Orleans Nevada – Las Vegas
Mexico
Acapulco Puerto Vallarta Cancun
Caribbean Cuba – Cayo Coco, Havana, Holguin, Santa Clara, Varadero Guadeloupe – Point-a-Pitre Haiti – Port-au-Prince Jamaica – Montego Bay Martinique Fort-de-France Puerto Rico- San Juan Dominican Republic – La Romana, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, Samana St. Maarten – Philipsburg
Central/South America Colombia – Cartagena Costa Rica -Liberia, San Jose El Salvador – San Salvador Panama – Panama City
Most of Air Transat’s routes are pretty unique, especially the southern and European destinations.
Toronto to Zagreb, Croatia
Toronto to Cartagena, Colombia
Montreal to Malaga, Spain
Montreal to Bordeaux, France
Montreal to Acapulco
Pet Policy
Yes. Air Transat allows pets in the cabin. 1 cat or dog per passenger, with at least 72 hours notice, the kennel must count as the passengers carry-on allowance, the kennel can now exceed 17 x 9.5 x 10″, and a fee of $50 within Canada/U.S. or $100 internationally must be paid.
Seats and Leg Room
Economy: Air Transat has seats as small as 16.5″ wide in economy, making them one of the smallest in thecountry, but some planes have the standard 17″ and a few aircraft with 18″. If you are concerned with getting a 16.5″ seat, check the flight on SeatGuru before you book. Seat pitch / legroom for economy is between 31-32″. Club (Business): Air Transat has very roomy club seats averaging 20-22″ wide and 33-38″ seat pitch / legroom.
Air Transat has a 50lb limit to checked baggage, even in their ‘club’ class.
When passengers book the flight only, economy is charged $35-90 for a checked bag, (based on distance) but get it free if a vacation package has been booked. Club class always gets a free checked bag.
Carry-On Bags
Air Transat allows both a free carry-on bag and a personal item on all flights. Carry on bags have a size limit of 20 x 9 x 16″ and personal items have a size limit of 17 x 5 x 12
Sunwing
Sunwing, like Air Transat, is the other major discount charter airline in Canada, offering cheap flights and vacation packages to sunny destinations. In March 2022, WestJet announced its deal to acquire Sunwing.
Pros
Sunwing operates out of almost every Canadian airport, even smaller ones like Regina SK, offering more vacation for Canadians who don’t live near major airports like Toronto.
They have really cheap vacation packages, including hotels. Sometimes the prices are so cheap it’s like getting the round-trip flight for free.
Cons
Service is an issue, especially in pandemic times. It’s been well talked about that Sunwing has suspended food and beverage service on flights throughout the past few years, leaving passengers hungry. Imagine a 5.5 hour flight from Winnipeg to Mexico without anything to eat!
Seats are small and legroom is almost nonexistent
There is no premium economy or business on any flight. The only way to get any extra legroom is one row of emergency seating mid-plane.
The carry-on weight allowance is laughable and almost impossible to meet.
Where does Sunwing fly DIRECT?
Here is a list of cities that Sunwing currently flies to that can be reached with a direct non-stop flight.
*Sunwing’s flights are FROM Canada to sunny destinations, and not really used for domestic routes
Mexico
Acapulco Cancun Huatulco Ixtapa Los Cabos Manzanillo Mazatlan Puerto Vallarta
Caribbean
Antigua and Barbuda Bonaire Bahamas – Nassau, Freeport Curacao Cuba – Cayo Coco, Havana, Mazanillo, Varadero Dominican Republic – Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, La Romana Georgetown, Cayman Islands Montego Bay, Jamaica Oranjestad, Aruba St. Maarten
Central America
Liberia, Costa Rica Panama City, Panama
Pet Policy
No. Pets are not allowed in the cabin on Sunwing unless they are a service animal.
Seats and Leg Room
Economy: The seating is a little tight on Sunwing. They only fly a 737-type plane with one version of economy class, with seats that are 17″ wide and 29″ inches of seat pitch / leg room. Tall passengers will have an issue. The saving grace is if you’re able to book a seat in the emergency row, which gives you up to 10″ more leg room, depending on the aircraft.
Checked Baggage
Sunwing allows passengers who’ve booked a total vacation package to bring one checked bag for free, while passengers who’ve only booked a flight with Sunwing will have to pay $21-$26.
The max weight for a checked bag is 50 lbs
Carry On Bags
Sunwing allows all passengers to bring on a free personal item and 1 free carry-on bag. However, the carry-on weight rule is INSANELY regulated and extremely low weight at 11 lbs. Truth be told, most EMPTY carry-on bags weigh around 11lbs without any items inside. Sunwing checks every single bag and will simply not allow it on the plane if it’s over 11lbs, as there is no fee you can pay to allow for a heavier bag.
Carry-on bags have a size limit of 20 x 9 x 16″ and the personal item has a size limit of 9 x 11 x 5 (the smallest in the industry by far)
Lynx
Lynx, a very new ULCC kid on the block, has launched in 2022 with some great routes to start. They are currently serving 10 cities across Canada, with fares as low as $49 on their 737 planes.
Here is a list of cities that Lynx currently flies to that can be reached with a direct non-stop flight, which is sure to grow after their first year in operation.
in Canada
Calgary Edmonton Halifax Hamilton Kelowna St. John’s Toronto Vancouver Victoria Winnipeg
Unique Routes
Kelowna to either Vancouver or Calgary in a 737 (other airlines like Air Canada and WestJet typically use a small propeller plane)
Pets
Lynx does allow pets with a fee of $59, 48 hours notice, and kennel dimensions of 16 in. L x 8.5 in. H x 10 in. W.
Seats and Leg Room
Economy: All of the seats on Lynx Air’s 737 are 17″ wide and have between 29″-30″ of seat pitch / leg room, with the exception of the very front row and emergency row mid-plane.
To select a seat, you’ll pay $10-$22 for a normal seat, and up to $60 for an emergency row or front row seat. If you let Lynx select for you, it’s free.
Checked Baggage
Checked bags have a 50lb weight limit and the fees are based on flight distance. Under 1000 km: $40 1000 to 3000 km: $50 Over 3000 km: $60 *adding a checked bag after ticket purchase is $10 online and $20 after check-in at the airport
Carry-on Bags
Carry-on bags have a fee, while 1 personal item is allowed on for free. The personal item has a size limit of 17 x 6 x 13″.
Carry-on bags have a generous size limit of 21.5 x 9 x 15.75, a 22lb weight limit and the fees are based on flight distance. Under 1000 km: $30 1000 to 3000 km: $40 Over 3000 km: $50 *adding a carry-on after ticket purchase is $5 online and $10 after check-in at the airport
Flair
Flair Airlines has been around for about 15 years, but recently went under a re-brand as they launched more routes, really trying to stick out in the Canadian market. They are not owned by any of the big guys… yet.. so they like to lead with the message they are independent.
They have some seriously low fares, like Calgary to Victoria for $29 for example, something never seen before in the Canadian industry.
Where does Flair fly DIRECT?
Here is a list of cities that Flair currently flies to that can be reached with a direct non-stop flight.
in Canada:
AB – Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge BC – Abbotsford, Comox, Kelowna, Prince George, Vancouver, Victoria ON- Kitchener, London, Ottawa, Toronto, Thunder Bay, Windsor, NB- Saint John NL – Deer Lake NS – Halifax PE – Charlottetown SK- Saskatoon QC – Montreal
U.S.
Anchorage Chicago Denver Fort Lauderdale Hollywood / Burbank Las Vegas Nashville New York Orlando Palm Springs Phoenix San Francisco Tucson
Yes, Flair allows pets in the cabin, at a max of 1 per passenger and 4 max per flight. 48 hours notice must be given, a fee of $49-$79 paid, and max kennel dimensions are 16 x 9 x` 10″ and 23lbs.
Seats and Legroom
Economy: Flair Airlines uses 737 planes, which have 29-30″ of seat pitch / legroom and 17″ of seat width. They have extra legroom seats available in the emergency row mid-plane as well as the front few rows, but we couldn’t find an exact measurement of just how many more inches it gets you.
Fees for seats are as follows: $10-$20 for a normal seat selection, and $25-45 for an extra legroom or emergency row seat. Seats are free if you allow Flair to select it for you.
Checked Baggage
Flair charges $49-$69 for a checked bag when you purchase it at the time of buying the ticket, with an additional $10 fee if you buy it at the airport. Checked bags have a 50 lb maximum.
Carry-on Bags
A personal item is free on Flair, but a carry-on bag will cost you. Personal items have a max size limit of 17 x 6 x 13″ and 15 lbs, which is pretty generous for an ULCC.
A carry on bag is $29-$49 when you pre-pay with an additional $10 fee at the airport, must weigh under 22. lbs and have a max size of 21.5 x 15.5 x 9, which is as big as Air Canada.
Porter
Porter Airlines is located at Billy Bishop airport, Toronto’s smaller (cooler!) airport on the island. The airline only flies the smaller Bombardier Q400 ‘Dash’ planes, but offers some decent Eastern routes, both within Canada and the States.
Where does Porter fly direct?
Here is a list of cities that Porter flies to directly:
in Canada
Fredericton Halifax Moncton Mont Tremblant Montreal Muskoka Ottawa Quebec City Sault Ste. Marie St John’s Stephenville Sudbury Thunder Nay Timmins Toronto Windsor
U.S.
Boston Chicago Myrtle Beach New York Washington
Unique Routes
Toronto (YTZ) to Muskoka Skip the terribly congested drive to cabin country and take a quick Porter flight instead.
Pets
Porter allows up to 2 pets in the cabin, with a max weight of 22 lbs each, including the carrier, with a fee of $50 and at least 24 hours’ notice.
Seats and Legroom
The ‘Dash’ planes that Port uses are all configured the same way, with 68 economy seats and 6 ‘premium’ seats. The premium seats are exactly the same size, but at the front of the plane with a tiny bit more leg room.
Economy seats are 17″ wide and offer 32″ seat pitch / leg room Premium seats are 17″ wide and offer 34″ seat pitch / leg room
Checked Baggage
Checked bags on Porter have a 50 lb weight limit and the price is determined on when you purchase the bag, doing it at the same time you buy the ticket being the cheapest rate.
At time of ticket purchase: $27-$42 Later online: +$5 At airport: +10-$15
Carry-on Bags
Porter offers a personal item free of charge, and a carry-on is also free if booked on a Standard, Flexible, or Freedom type fare. The only fare type that must pay for a carry-on is the basic fare.
Personal items have a size limit of 17 x 6 x 13″ and carry-on bags have a size limit of 16 x 9 x 22″ and 20 lbs.
Jetlines
Jetlines is so new to Canada that at the time of writing this article (July 2022) they still don’t have their routes published. Jetlines will have its headquarters just outside of Toronto. They plan to start operations late summer / early fall 2022 and plan to fly within Canada and to the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Smaller regional Canadian airlines
In addition to all the above airlines, there are still more Canadian airlines to mention, especially for smaller regional routes. All of the below carriers offer important connections throughout the provinces and territories. Click on the carrier to see their current flight route map.
Canada has finally positioned itself to offer passengers more options than ever when it comes to air travel, and it looks like all the pent-up demand in 2022 is only driving this trend further.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
Passport applications have increased four times compared to last year’s data and Service Canada hasn’t met citizens’ needs
After two long years of a devastating pandemic, Canadian travelers are finally planning on visiting foreign destinations and enjoying vacations while the travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 have been eased around the world. However, passport offices aren’t working as fast and efficiently as citizens need.
The Canadian government’s program in charge of passports, Service Canada, hasn’t been able to keep up with the passport applications they’ve been receiving.
According to the information shared by CTV News, between April 2020 and March 2021, the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada reported that 363,000 had been issued and during the same period from 2021 to 2022 the agency Service Canada has issued nearly 1.3 million passports, almost four times the documents issued during the previous period.
Passports —which can cost from 57 to 160 Canadian dollars depending on age and duration— have become a hot commodity in Canada and due to the high demand for renewal and new documents, Canadians have been facing long passport processing times, long lines at the offices, delays, and frustration as many travelers have been obliged to cancel, reschedule, or have even missed their trips.
Delays In Passport Processing Times
Canadians have been complaining about the organization and the lack of staff in the offices, and have been reporting delays in the usual time. According to the government’s standard procedure, when submitted in person at the passport office, it takes 10 business days to issue a passport, and 20 business days by mail.
The government has also informed that Service Canada has been receiving more calls than usual: around 200,000 calls a day, while prior to the pandemic the usual number rounded 5,000 calls a day.
On the passports and travel documents official website, Canada’s government issued a warning for travelers: “We’re experiencing very high call volumes right now. Wait times are longer than usual. If you do not have travel plans in the next 2 weeks, we suggest you wait to call us.”
According to a recent report made by Global News, the Canadian government hasn’t publicly recognized recent delays or changes in processing times, but citizens said that lines at the offices are too long and certain offices have collapsed. Another person declared to CTV News that he had been waiting “well over two months” since he applied and hasn’t received the passport.
Authorities have explained that recent health and safety measures have affected the way they process applications and stated on the website: “We may not always meet our service standards as a result.”
Canadian authorities insist that passport processing times are met for those who book their appointments online before going to the passport office in person and it is recommended to do so.
After issuing the passport, the standard pick-up time is around 10 business days, but travelers can request expedited services —available in person— and pay $110 for urgent pick-up to get it by the next business day, $50 for express pick-up to get the passport within the next 2 to 9 business days, or $20 for standard pick-up on or after 10 business days.
Before planning the next international trip, travelers must verify the validity of their passport and study the entry requirements of their destination, since many countries require from 6 to 3 months of passport validity to enter their territory. Canadian travelers should also stay up to date with news and official information shared on the government’s passport application page.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
Airlines are ramping up flights to new destinations around the world, and Canadian airlines are no different.
This week, the major Canada-based airlines WestJet and Air Transat announced the launch of some inaugural nonstop routes to European destinations. The new flights include services to Rome, Amsterdam, and London’s Gatwick International Airport. We’ve got all the information for you below.
WestJet’s New Route Between Calgary And Rome
Are you living in western Canada and dreaming of Italy this summer? If so, you’ll be happy to hear that WestJet’s home city of Calgary is now better connected to Europe with the launch of the new flight route between Calgary and Rome on Saturday, May 7th.
The route was originally scheduled to launch in May of 2020 but was suspended due to the pandemic.
“With its rich history and culture, it is no surprise that our guests are eager to visit Rome. We are thrilled to provide Western Canadians with increased connectivity to this incredible city. We are also excited to bring guests from Rome to visit Canada and assist with the recovery of Canada’s vital tourism industry,” said Angela Avery, WestJet’s Executive Vice President of External Affairs at the launch of the new flight.
The direct connection between Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Rome-Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) with WestJet is currently scheduled to operate until November 4, 2022 and will resume on March 16, 2023.
At this time, nonstop flights between the two destinations are available two times per week. You can check WestJet’s homepage for more details.
Air Transat Launches New Routes To Amsterdam And London
Just in time for the summer tourist season (and due to traveler demand), Air Transat has launched a new direct flight service between Montreal and Amsterdam.
This inaugural route on the popular vacation airline is the first of its kind in Canada, with Air Transat being the only Canadian-based passenger flight carrier to offer nonstop service to these two destinations.
Flights will operate on a new, more eco-friendly plane – the new-generation Airbus A321neoLR, which is 15% more fuel-efficient than other passenger carriers.
This new flight launch means that Air Transat now offers nonstop services from Toronto and Montreal to the Dutch capital city. Flights will operate three times per week, and are currently scheduled until mid-October in accordance with the high travel season.
The airline also launched another inaugural flight route this week between Quebec City (YQB) and London’s Gatwick Airport (LGW), with direct weekly flights available until late September on the airline. This new route marks the second direct connection between Quebec City and Europe on Air Transat, the other one being QC City to Paris, France.
Air Transat Ramping Up More Flights For Summer 2022
The Canadian vacation airline is also set to relaunch 25 of its routes to Europe by June 2022. Air Transat currently offers six flight routes between Canada and Europe.
With the gradual restart for summer 2022, Air Transat will provide flight services to 15 destinations throughout Europe from Toronto Pearson Airport. Destinations will include Dublin, Lisbon, Glasgow, Zagreb, and more.
16 European destinations will also be available from Montreal, including nonstop flights to Athens, Brussels, Madrid, as well as a number of destinations throughout France.
Swoop, Air North Launch New Domestic Routes
On top of the resumption of international routes to Europe from Canada, ultra-low-cost carrier Swoop has launched its first-ever service from Hamilton to New Brunswick. Flights are currently scheduled four times per week for summer 2022.
This new route is one of 11 inaugural routes that will be available on Swoop to Canada’s East Coast, in an effort to boost tourism to the region after an over two-year closure.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
