Los Cabos is one of the hottest destinations in Mexico right now.
This popular beach destination has been breaking all-time tourism records in 2023, and it’s easier than ever to travel there thanks to expanded flight connectivity from the United States.
American travelers can fly nonstop to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) in San José del Cabo from 23 cities in the U.S. this winter.
Here are all the flights available to travelers wanting to visit Cabo:
1. Los Angeles (LAX)
Los Angeles has the most flights of any U.S. city to Cabo, with nearly 100 flights a day across six different airlines, making it extremely easy to escape to Cabo for a getaway this winter.
Airlines: Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Spirit, United
Flight Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes
Frequency: Daily
2. Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
Another city with lots of nonstop flights to Cabo is Dallas. Los Cabos has been working to streamline the immigration process once travelers arrive to under 30 seconds, making for an easy and hassle-free entrance.
Airlines: 2 hours and 54 minutes
Flight Time: American
Frequency: Daily
3. Phoenix (PHX)
Phoenix, Arizona is another city with many nonstop flights to Cabo.
Airlines: American, Southwest
Flight Time: 2 hours and 11 minutes
Frequency: Daily
4. Houston (HOU and IAH)
Both of Houston’s two airports offer plenty of choices for daily nonstop flights to Cabo.
Airlines: Southwest, United
Flight Time: 3 hours
Frequency: Daily
5. San Francisco (SFO)
For travelers from San Francisco, there are quite a few daily flights to Cabo to choose from. Cabo is one of the safest destinations in Mexico for travelers.
Airlines: Alaska, United
Flight Time: 3 hours and 8 minutes
Frequency: Daily
6. Denver (DEN)
Next up on the list is Denver, Colorado. Travelers can escape the cold of Colorado and enjoy the sunshine, sand, and ocean waves of Cabo in just 3 hours.
Airlines: Southwest, United
Flight Time: 3 hours
Frequency: Daily
7. San Diego (SAN)
Being located so close to the border with Mexico, San Diego has plenty of nonstop flights to Cabo each day and the total flight time is just 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Airlines: Alaska, Southwest
Flight Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Frequency: Daily
8. Atlanta (ATL)
Travelers from Atlanta may be more accustomed to visiting Cancun, Mexico, which is only 2.5 hours away. But there are many compelling reasons to visit Los Cabos instead of Cancun this year, and it’s only 4.5 hours away from Atlanta.
Airlines: Delta
Flight Time: 4 hours and 35 minutes
Frequency: Daily
9. Austin (AUS)
Travelers from Austin, Texas can get to Cabo in under 3 hours with daily flights to this sunny Mexican destination.
Airlines: American, Southwest
Flight Time: 2 hours and 37 minutes
Frequency: Daily
10. Santa Ana (SNA)
Another Southern California city with direct access to Cabo is Santa Ana. This short, frequent flight makes a getaway to Cabo extremely simple.
Airlines: Southwest
Flight Time: 2 hours and 25 minutes
Frequency: Daily
More Cities With Nonstop Flights To Cabo
These are the rest of the U.S. cities offering nonstop flights to Cabo this winter:
Seattle (SEA): Daily flights on Alaska and Delta
New York City (JFK): Daily flights on Delta and JetBlue
Salt Lake City (SLC): Five times weekly flights on Delta
Chicago (ORD): Daily flights on American and United
San Jose (SJC): Five times weekly flights on Alaska
Newark (EWR): Twice weekly flights on United
Charlotte (CLT): Flights on American beginning in November
Detroit (DTW): Daily flights on Delta beginning in December
Kansas City (MCI): Saturday flights on Southwest beginning in October)
Las Vegas (LAS): Four times weekly flights on Alaska beginning in December
Minneapolis (MSP): Flights on Delta and Sunwing beginning in November
Oakland (OAK): Saturday flights on Southwest beginning in November
Sacramento (SMF): Saturday flights on Southwest beginning in October
For many Americans, it’s looking like the start of fall now, and most of us are happy to embrace the stunning foliage, cozy weather, and spooky season.
The only problem is that no matter how great all might be, we all know what comes next.
Soon the leaves will drop and a chill will start to overtake much of the country, and with it the arrival of a long winter.
It’s not all doom and gloom though, the good news is that with more Latin American travel destinations expanding in popularity, more flights from the U.S. to sunny and warm destinations are offered.
More and more direct flights to unique locations to see cloud forests, beaches, and Mayan ruins mean more opportunities for Americans to escape the cold and head off on a tropical adventure.
One such place that Americans can fly from many major airports is the Honduran island of Roatán, a diving hotspot filled with sun, sand, and great vibes.
When it comes to Latin America, many Americans head to Costa Rica, and for good reason: it’s a great destination worthy of all its hype.
However, the other unique and culture-packed countries making up this part of the world are very much deserving of a visit as well, including Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Yet, Honduras’s most popular tourist destination lies far from the country’s north coast, about 40 miles off the coast in the Caribbean Sea.
Welcome to the island of Roatán.
Ease Of Getting There
With direct flights from many major U.S. airports, Roatán is well-connected for a winter getaway. Multiple airlines fly this route with connections as well, and deals can be found if you book early enough.
As part of the Bay Islands, Roatán is the only one with an international airport. It operates in the central time zone, and a flight from New York will only take about four hours, meaning you don’t have to waste too much time traveling.
Roatán is only about 5 miles wide and around 40 miles long, and in total the area is around 32 square miles of beaches, towns, fishing villages, and green hilly unspoiled nature.
Let’s be honest, most people come here for the beaches, racing from world-class manicured shores to natural and rugged. Although the beaches are endless, the more popular ones for tourists are West Bay Beach, Hall Moon Bay Beach, Marbella Beach, Camp Bay Beach, and Mahogany Bay Beach. Make sure to read up on each area as they all offer a different vibe and might not be what you are looking for.
If you have heard of Roatán before, it’s likely because of its world-renowned driving opportunities. The island is surrounded by some of the most bio-diverse coral reefs in the world, and the vast diverse sea life that lives here keeps even the most seasoned divers coming back for more.
Roatán is actually home to the second-largest barrier reef on earth, and the endless diving companies here are eager to take you out and show you the splendor. Snorkelers are also spoiled for choice here, so don’t worry if diving is not your thing; there will still be plenty to see from the surface as well.
While you can relax and chill as much as you want on Roatan, it’s no secret that the island has some pretty epic nightlife as well.
Due to the large number of tourists, most of whom are here to dive, the bars and clubs along the beaches serve late into the night, and the nightlife is renowned for being a fun time.
There are numerous famous places known for partying when the sun goes down; from dock parties to tiki bars there is enough nightlife to go around.
So plan ahead when booking your accommodation to make sure you are as close (or far) from this as you want to be.
Perfect Weather
Being an island in the Caribbean far off the mainland, the weather in Roatán doesn’t follow a strict calendar. That being said, the winter months of November through February are known as being the cold season, although it’s hardly cold at all.
Christmas time is the coldest time of year, and even then the average temperature is around 75 degrees, with pleasant sea temperatures for swimming.
The high season for tourism is between October and May, so you won’t have the place to yourself, but it’s unlikely that you will find yourself swamped with crowds.
Underrated Opportunities
While Roatán is a more popular destination in Latin America, it’s still relatively underrated by American travelers (aside from the diving crowd).
A visit to Roatán will allow you to enjoy some Latin American culture and can be a great starting point for more travel in Honduras and beyond.
While it’s true there are some safety concerns, as long as you are well prepared and know where to visit and where not to, you can enjoy a very underrated and under-explored country that many average travelers never see.
American travelers looking to plan an international vacation this summer have faced exorbitant airfare costs, especially to popular destinations like Europe and even destinations closer to home like Mexico and the Caribbean.
Even domestically, flight costs have gone up this year.
According to Priceline, there are still some affordable destinations to fly to early this summer from the United States. Priceline is a popular tool for finding deals on flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel experiences — and has released new data highlighting 5 affordable destinations you can fly to as summer kicks off.
While you may not find any incredible deals this summer since it’s predicted to be the busiest and most expensive travel season in years, you can still find cheaper airfare to these destinations.
These are the average prices for a flight from the U.S. to the following destinations, aggregating data from many different departure cities across the country:
1. Orlando, Florida
For travelers looking to stay close to home this summer, Orlando is one of the best domestic destinations in the U.S. where you can find good deals on airfare.
There are nonstop flights to Orlando from dozens of cities across the U.S., with round-trip flights for $150 or less from many places.
Orlando is best known for its theme parks, with visitors flocking to Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando — but if theme parks aren’t your style, there’s also more to discover in Orlando.
Priceline average flight cost across the U.S. — $314
Cancun is the most popular international vacation destination for Americans, and it’s one place where you can still find many great flight deals.
While the average airfare to Cancun is higher than average this summer, deals for under $250 round-trip can be found from many cities in the United States on budget airlines like Frontier and Spirit.
Travelers to Cancun this summer can enjoy great beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and activities like visiting Mayan ruins and cenotes.
Priceline average flight cost across the U.S. — $536
3. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is one of the best international destinations to visit this summer if you’re looking for good deals on airfare. Punta Cana is the best airport to fly into for good deals on flights from the United States, with airfare as low as $350 round-trip.
This sunny Caribbean destination is known for its affordable all-inclusive resorts (many of which can be booked for under $150 per night) and beautiful beaches.
It’s also a great cultural destination, with the city of Santo Domingo offering lots to explore for travelers interested in history and culture.
Priceline average flight cost across the U.S. — $817
4. Montego Bay, Jamaica
Another Caribbean destination with affordable flights from the United States is Montego Bay, Jamaica, with flights available for $250 or less.
Jamaica is a very popular destination for American travelers, who flock to this island destination known for its stunning beaches, friendly people, and laidback way of life.
If you’re looking for affordable all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, Jamaica is another great place to go, with many resorts available for under $150 a night.
Priceline average flight cost across the U.S. — $884
5. London, United Kingdom
London is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for American travelers to visit. It’s also one of the best international destinations to fly to if you’re looking for good deals on flights.
Flights to London from the U.S. are regularly cheaper.
According to Priceline, the average cost of a flight to London from the U.S. this summer is $1,191. While still high, flying to London will be much cheaper than flying to other European destinations like France, Spain, Italy, or Greece this summer — by as much as $600!
Priceline average flight cost across the U.S. — $1,191
This summer is expected to be one of the busiest and most expensive travel seasons yet.
According to airfare booking platform Hopper, the cost of a flight to Europe is currently up more than 35% compared to the same time last year.
The average cost for a flight from the U.S. to Europe is currently $1,032.
Traveling to other regions comes with a similarly high price tag. Notably, the average cost of a flight to Asia is $1,619 (a 23% increase from last year) and to Africa or the Middle East, it’s $1,302 (a 21% increase from last year.)
When looking for affordable flights this summer, travelers may need to look closer to home to score better deals.
We’ve highlighted the cheapest destinations to consider for a trip this summer below, along with sample airfares from major cities in the U.S. based on data from Google Flights.
1. United States
Domestic flights within the U.S. remain the most affordable option for American travelers. According to Hopper, the average round-trip domestic flight is $286, which is actually a 15% decrease from last summer.
From city breaks to national parks, there’s plenty to explore in the U.S. during the summer. So if you’re looking for an affordable vacation this summer, consider roaming closer to home.
Some of the best round-trip flight deals from Google Flights for a one-week vacation in the U.S. include:
Canada is one of the best destinations for Americans to visit this summer. A combination of a favorable exchange rate, easy and affordable flights, and plenty of natural beauty and things to do makes Canada a fantastic summer destination.
The average price of a round-trip flight to Canada is $398, which is only a 2% increase from last year. This makes Canada a great summer destination for travelers looking to save money on airfare.
Digging deeper on Google Flights reveals some great deals like this:
Los Angeles to Calgary: $77
Los Angeles to Vancouver: $108
Los Angeles to Toronto: $247
Los Angeles to Montreal: $369
3. Caribbean
The Caribbean is a great place to look for an affordable summer vacation.
Summer can be the off-season in many Caribbean destinations due to a higher chance of rain and storms. But if you don’t mind putting up with some rainy afternoons, it’s a great time to travel for low prices on resorts, as well as affordable flights.
The current cost of a round-trip flight is around $452, a 2% increase from last year. Here are some of the best Caribbean deals for this summer according to Google Flights:
Chicago to San Juan, Puerto Rico: $173
Chicago to Montego Bay, Jamaica: $239
Chicago to Nassau, Bahamas: $298
Chicago to Oranjestad, Aruba: $423
4. South America
If you’re looking to travel further afield this summer but don’t want to pay exorbitant prices for Europe or Asia, consider South America instead.
From exploring the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru to visiting the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador to enjoying city life and beaches in Colombia, South America has something to offer for every type of traveler.
Flights to the continent are around $678 round-trip, a 2% decrease from 2022, making it much cheaper to visit than Europe, Asia, Africa, or the Middle East.
Here are some of the best deals for a one-week trip this summer, according to Google Flights:
Traveling this summer is going to be huge. The weather is starting to warm, and places like Japan have reopened, giving North Americans more incentive to travel abroad.
But sometimes, traveling during certain months or days can be more expensive than others, and it’s hard to figure out which times are the cheapest, less busy, and generally the best to travel during the summer months.
If you’re looking to travel this summer, make sure you pick the right time and day. It can save money and create a better vacation since you’re starting on the right foot.
Destinations like Japan, Vietnam, and Italy are all trending for travelers from North America, and flying there can be a little expensive if you don’t plan ahead.
Just recently, Expedia released a new report detailing the best time to travel this summer, showing which days and times are the most economical and time-saving.
No matter where you go this summer, spending less on a flight or not being overwhelmed by busy airports can be a blessing, and who doesn’t love a stress-free summer vacation?
As unrealistic as that is, tools and articles (like this one) show you which days are the best.
Find out which days and months are the best times to fly this summer below:
Least Busy Days
Summer travel is expected to be busy, and according to a new report from Expedia, some months and days are better for traveling to avoid chaotic airports and infinite security checkpoints.
According to the report, the least busy day to travel this summer is August 24. This can be attributed to a few things.
The summer is rolling down at that point, and you’re starting to get into the shoulder season. This can be good for travelers because you’re avoiding the summer crowds but still getting the same amenities like warm weather and beautiful locations.
Some locations like Spain and Portugal have warm summer-like weather until November (most of the time), and traveling there in August can be a fun way to avoid the busy crowds.
We all know summer is the prime season for domestic and international travel, and you will run into crowds anywhere you go.
The busiest day to travel is Saturday, July 1. July is the month most North Americans take a vacation, and because of holidays like July 4, most people want to be outside.
Being outside also means traveling to different parts of the world. If you’re planning summer travel this season, avoid mid to late June and July. This is the peak season for many destinations, and flights can be expensive and overbooked.
Cheapest Day
The cheapest day to travel is August 27, which goes along with traveling near the shoulder season. It’s an intelligent way to avoid crowds and save on flight prices.
By this time, most summer crowds have faded, and many destinations are creating more specials for you to travel.
It’s a win-win if you ask us and something you should look into this season.
Most Expensive Day
July 1 is something you should avoid planning your vacation around if you want to be stress-free. It’s the most expensive and busiest day to travel.
Traveling around holidays is probably not the best time because everyone else is planning their vacations around that time too.
According to the Expedia report, “To save on airfare, travel during late August and avoid holiday weekends. Average ticket prices drop an average of $125 compared to the peak in early July.”
If you plan on going somewhere this summer, plan out which days and months you’re aiming to leave. It can save you more time and money and create space for summer memories you will have forever.
Remember that traveling during holidays or in June and July can be difficult.
Summer travel should be fun, and wherever you go will be a blast. Take some time off and enjoy the warmer weather.
Over the past year, the world has finally opened up again, and travelers have been eager to get back out there. Now that travel is back, many people have been hopping on flights like it’s 2019 again without a care in the world.
But just because most countries are fully open again without COVID-related hoops to jump through doesn’t mean there aren’t still things you need to double-check before you travel.
Below are five important things that, if not checked beforehand, could result in travelers being denied entry into a country and sent back home on the next flight out.
1. Entry Requirements
More than 130 countries have removed all entry requirements and are fully back to pre-pandemic entry rules, but a few destinations still have some requirements in place.
Some destinations still ban unvaccinated travelers from entering the country. Other countries may require a negative COVID test for unvaccinated and vaccinated travelers, while some places still have widely-followed mask mandates and other internal restrictions in place.
Although most countries are now restriction-free, it’s still important to research your destination before your trip to make sure you won’t be scrambling to get a COVID test or face irritating travel restrictions.
2. Visa Requirements
If you have a U.S. or Canadian passport, visas are not always top of mind, as you are lucky enough to get access to over 180 countries visa-free or with a simple visa on arrival.
However, there are still some nations that require travelers, even those with strong passports, to obtain a visa before reaching the border.
For example, Americans need advance visas for several popular tourist destinations, including Australia, Egypt, and Vietnam. While most of these countries have straightforward online application processes, this is something important to check in advance.
During the pandemic, many travelers purchased travel insurance because they were fearful of having massive trip interruptions, cancellations, or becoming ill while traveling.
But as the world opened up, people stopped covering their trips.
While the chaos of 2020 and 2021 is in the rearview mirror now, every traveler should still be purchasing travel insurance to protect their trips from a myriad of unexpected non-pandemic-related issues.
Travel insurance covers injury and illness, lost luggage, trip cancellations, flight delays, and much more.
4. Onward Ticket
Some countries require you to show proof that you will, in fact, be leaving and not staying forever. If you’ve booked a simple round-trip itinerary, then showing proof of onward travel is easy. You can just show your round-trip plane ticket at immigration and be good to go.
But not everyone books a round-trip itinerary. If you’ll be departing out of a different country than the one you’re entering, be sure you can show proof of your one-way flight to the other country, train booking, bus ticket, or another form of transportation.
For backpackers who may not have yet planned out the next leg of their trip, a common workaround to this onward travel requirement is booking a fully refundable ticket and then cancelling it.
5. Passport Expiry Date
Did you know some countries won’t let you in if your passport is getting close to its expiration date? Dozens of countries have passport expiry rules, with many of them requiring that your passport is valid for at least 6 more months in order to enter the country. Other countries have a 3-month or 4-month requirement.
So if your passport is expiring any time soon, it’s worth researching the requirements for the destination you’re visiting in advance. The U.S. government recommends renewing your passport at least nine months in advance, and keep in mind that it can take 6 to 9 weeks to renew your passport.
Despite rising prices, travelers are still heading to Hawaii in droves. Perfect weather all year, unsurpassed natural beauty, and world-class beaches draw millions of visitors to Hawaii year after year. 2022 is no exception, and high costs do little to deter travelers from planning a trip to The Aloha State. Hotel rates are rising, and Hawaii tacks another 10.25% (13.25% in Honolulu) to the bill in the form of a transient accommodationstax.
Average nightly hotel rates are $390 per night, and Honolulu is 2.94% more expensive than New York City when rent isn’t factored in. Luckily, there are still affordable direct flights to this tropical paradise. Below are U.S. cities flying directly to Hawaii for under $250 this winter. The lowest fares were chosen between December 1st and February 28th, and all fares were found on August 30th, 2022. Only fares with at least a free carry-on were considered. Unless otherwise specified, the days offering the best savings are Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Seattle, WA & Portland, OR (SEA to HNL & PDX to HNL)
Travelers can fly directly to Honolulu with two airlines from Seattle or Portland; Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Fares from both cities were equal.
Hawaiian Airlines
Flight Duration: 6hr 15 from Seattle, 6hr 5 from Portland
Cost: $229
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
Alaska Airlines
Flight Duration: 6hr 25 from Seattle, 6hr 10 from Portland
Cost: $229
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
Sacramento, CA (SMF to HNL)
Travelers can fly directly to Honolulu with two airlines from Sacramento; Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
Hawaiian Airlines
Flight Duration: 5hr 40
Cost: $180
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
Southwest Airlines
Flight Duration: 5hr 45
Cost: $141
Luggage: Free Carry-On, 2 Free Checked Bags
San Francisco, CA (SFO to HNL)
Travelers can fly directly to Honolulu with three airlines from San Franciso; Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and United Airlines.
Hawaiian Airlines
Flight Duration: 5hr 40
Cost: $179
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
Alaska Airlines
Flight Duration: 5hr 40
Cost: $159
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
United Airlines
Flight Duration: 5hr 30
Cost: $159
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $35 Checked Bag
San Jose, CA (SJC to HNL)
Travelers can fly directly to Honolulu with three airlines from San Jose; Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.
Hawaiian Airlines
Flight Duration: 5hr 35
Cost: $199
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
Alaska Airlines
Flight Duration: 5hr 55
Cost: $129
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
Southwest Airlines
Flight Duration: 5hr 40
Cost: $103
Luggage: Free Carry-On, 2 Free Checked Bags
Los Angeles, CA (LAX to HNL)
Travelers can fly directly to Honolulu with four airlines from Los Angeles; Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.
Hawaiian Airlines
Flight Duration: 6hr 5
Cost: $129
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
Alaska Airlines
Flight Duration: 6hr 5
Cost: $129
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
Southwest Airlines
Flight Duration: 5hr 55
Cost: $103
Luggage: Free Carry-On, 2 Free Checked Bags
United Airlines
Flight Duration: 5hr 53
Cost: $169
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $35 Checked Bag
Long Beach, CA (LGB to HNL)
Travelers can fly directly to Honolulu with two airlines from Long Beach; Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
Hawaiian Airlines
Flight Duration: 5hr 55
Cost: $159
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
Southwest Airlines
Flight Duration: 6hr
Cost: $103
Luggage: Free Carry-On, 2 Free Checked Bags
Ontario, CA (ONT to HNL)
Travelers can fly directly to Honolulu with one airline from Ontario; Hawaiian Airlines.
Hawaiian Airlines
Flight Duration: 6hr
Cost: $164
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
Santa Anna, CA (SNA to HNL)
Travelers can fly directly to Honolulu with one airline from Santa Anna; Hawaiian Airlines. Flights are minimal and only operate on Saturdays.
United Airlines
Flight Duration: 6hr
Cost: $209
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $35 Checked Bag
San Diego, CA (SAN to HNL)
Travelers can fly directly to Honolulu with three airlines from San Diego; Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.
Hawaiian Airlines
Flight Duration: 6hr 15
Cost: $129
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
Alaska Airlines
Flight Duration: 6hr 15
Cost: $199
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
Southwest Airlines
Flight Duration: 6hr 15
Cost: $103
Luggage: Free Carry-On, 2 Free Checked Bags
Las Vegas, NV (LAS to HNL)
Travelers can fly directly to Honolulu with two airlines from Las Vegas; Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
Hawaiian Airlines
Flight Duration: 6hr 30
Cost: $210
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
Southwest Airlines
Flight Duration: 6hr 20
Cost: $164
Luggage: Free Carry-On, 2 Free Checked Bags
Phoenix, AZ (PHX to HNL)
Travelers can fly directly to Honolulu with two airlines from Phoenix; Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
Hawaiian Airlines
Flight Duration: 6hr 50
Cost: $210
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
Southwest Airlines
Flight Duration: 6hr 45
Cost: $210
Luggage: Free Carry-On, 2 Free Checked Bags
Austin, TX (AUS to HNL)
Travelers can fly directly to Honolulu with one airline from Austin; Hawaiian Airlines. Flights are limited and only operate Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Hawaiian Airlines
Flight Duration: 8hr 40
Cost: $239
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
BONUS FARE: Boston to Honolulu (BOS to HNL)
The east coast didn’t get any love in this list. Flights to Hawaii are more limited and more expensive the further east you look. However, travelers can fly to Honolulu directly with Hawaiian airlines out of Boston this winter without going too far over $250. Flights operate on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Hawaiian Airlines
Flight Duration: 11hr 20
Cost: $280
Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag
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
Traveling this summer has been overrun with a whirlwind of flight delays and cancellations worldwide. Much of the chaos was brought on by overwhelming travel demand in the face of staffing shortages. Airlines have had to make do with the staff that they have, which often leads to delays, cancellations, and lost luggage. As the summer comes to an end, many travelers have held out hope that things will go back to normal, but it doesn’t seem likely. Recently, a collection of U.S. airlines announced they would cut over 30,000 flights this November.
With no end to chaotic travel conditions in sight, it can be helpful for travelers to know how to lessen their chances of getting caught up in a mess. Luckily, a recent study found that there are specific days of the week that have a smaller chance of flight disruptions.
What Factors Drive Flight Cancellations?
According to the study, an airport’s size is one of the main driving factors of cancellations. Airports with higher traffic will be the ones most likely to be plagued with cancellations, with the worst culprits being LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. However, airport traffic isn’t the only factor. The study found that the time of day can have a significant impact on cancellations as well. Most cancellations occur towards the end of the day, between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.
What Are The Best Days Of The Week To Fly?
The study analyzed 37,000 cancellations from 400 different airports in the United States. Data collection occurred between May 27th and July 15th amid peak travel chaos. Using this information, the best and worst days of the week for avoiding flight disruptions were as follows:
Worst
Thursday
3.6% of total flights canceled
28% of total flights delayed
Friday
3.2% of total flights canceled
31% of total flights delayed
Decent
Saturday
2.7% of total flights canceled
27% of total flights delayed
Wednesday
2.7% of total flights canceled
25% of total flights delayed
Sunday
2.5% of total flights canceled
27% of total flights delayed
Best
Monday
1.9% of total flights canceled
23% of total flights delayed
Tuesday
1.8% of total flights canceled
22% of total flights delayed
As the study showed, the day of the week can significantly impact flight disruptions. Travelers are twice as likely to have a flight canceled flying on Thursday as opposed to a Tuesday, according to the data. Tuesday was the clear winner with the least cancellations and the least flight delays, with Monday close behind. According to the study, the best days of the week to fly are Tuesday and Monday, and the worst days of the week to fly are Thursday and Friday. If travelers have the flexibility to choose which days they can fly, they should aim for the start of the week.
Other Factors To Consider
The day of the week is clearly not going to be the main factor driving cancellations and delays, though it does seem to play a significant role. When travelers fly definitely contributes to potential flight disruptions, but who they fly with and where they fly from can also make a big difference. Recently, we determined the top five U.S airlines with the most delays in July. Allegiant Air was the worst airline for delays, with nearly 40% of their flights being delayed. JetBlue ranked second with 35%, and Southwest was third with 32%.
Where travelers fly to or from can also have significant impacts on flight disruptions. Between May 27th and July 15th, the five worst airports for cancellations were:
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)- 7.7% of total flights canceled
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) – 7.6% of total flights canceled
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) -5.9% of total flights canceled
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) – 4.1% of total flights canceled
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) – 4% of total flights canceled
Travelers should make every effort to investigate their chances of running into flight disruptions this summer and fall. If the summer travel season has shown us anything, it is how chaotic flying is right now. Knowing your passenger rights, the best days and times to travel, and the best airlines and airports to travel with can all help make sure your trip goes as planned.
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
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
