Quantcast

Canadian airlines cut US flights while expanding service into Latin America

Air India Warned Over Crew Fatigue and Training Failures Following Fatal Crash
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy may deny flights from Mexico over broken aviation agreement
Plane Makes Emergency Landing After ‘Unruly’ Passenger Attempts to Open Exit Door Mid-Flight
American Airlines Launches Ultra‑Long‑Haul DFW–Manila Flights
Thousands of flights canceled or delayed across America's busiest airports
Emirates operates with SAF at London Heathrow Airport
British Airways Introduces Brunch Service on Long-Haul Flights
AirAsia FREE SEATS is BACK! - Book Cheap Flight now!
FAA Investigating After JetBlue Plane Skids Off Runway
Virgin Atlantic Offers Family-Friendly Holiday Packages
The Billion-Dollar Outlier That's Rescuing San Francisco Tourism
New Heathrow Security Rule Makes Packing Bags Easier for Travelers
Alaska Airlines Adding More Boeing 787 to Boost Seattle Hub
Ryanair cancels 170 flights, disrupts over 30,000 passengers on French ATC strike
What to Know About Travel to Europe During This Record-Breaking Heatwave
Airport Workers Save the Day After Woman Loses Diamond from Her Engagement Ring in Baggage Carousel
I never talk to strangers on the plane. After my dad died, a passenger helped me talk about my grief.
American Airlines reveals new summer route: Miami → Rome
Budget UK airline launches huge sale with £29 flights to 475 holiday hotspots – but you’ll have to be quick
Delta Passengers Can Book a ‘Last Mile’ Private Jet Charter to Europe This Summer
Honeywell Runway Safety Technology Selected by Southwest Airlines for Fleetwide Installation
Southwest Airlines Adds Cockpit Alerts to Boost Runway Safety
FAA Drone Detection Testing
This Airline Is Going to Start Handing Out $675 Fines to 'Unruly' Passengers: 'It Is Unacceptable'
Summer of savings? New analysis shows airfare has dropped significantly - The Points Guy
FAA Admits Uncertainty On Drone Numbers In U.S. Airspace, Raising Safety Concerns
Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
Canadian airlines cut US flights while expanding service into Latin America
Policy
Webp canada 1
Air Canada | Wikipedia

Since the beginning of 2025, Canadian airlines have experienced a decrease in demand for leisure travel to the United States. This trend is attributed to changes in trade policy and economic uncertainty under the current US administration. As a result, airlines are shifting capacity toward Latin America and the Caribbean, with plans to continue this strategy during the upcoming northern winter season.

Data from IATA show that the Northern Hemisphere winter season starts on October 26. Cirium data indicates that Air Canada, WestJet, Porter Airlines, and Air Transat will collectively increase seat capacity to Latin America by about 36% this winter while reducing more than 1,500 flights to US destinations.

WestJet has made significant reductions in its US network. Compared to last winter, it will operate approximately 13.3% fewer flights and 16.3% fewer seats on these routes. For example, Edmonton–Las Vegas has lost over a third of its capacity, and Edmonton–Atlanta now offers only about 87 services this winter after losing around 61 flights. Seat capacity on this route is reduced to just over 13,600.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Other markets affected include Los Angeles, Phoenix, Minneapolis, and Winnipeg. Winnipeg–Atlanta dropped from 104 flights last winter to 64 this year, with seat numbers nearly halved. Winnipeg–Los Angeles service was suspended in June. Additional suspensions include Ottawa–Fort Myers, Regina–Orlando, and Vancouver–Santa Ana.

Air Canada has also scaled back US services for the winter season by cutting several secondary routes such as Toronto–Jacksonville and Montreal connections to Detroit and Minneapolis. The airline has withdrawn Toronto–Indianapolis and Vancouver–Tampa as well. On other transborder routes, Air Canada is reducing capacity through smaller aircraft or fewer weekly frequencies.

Canadian carriers are redirecting much of their lost US capacity into Latin America and the Caribbean. Together they plan more than 4,000 additional flights into Latin America during the winter months. In May of this year, Air Canada announced its largest seasonal schedule for the region so far: 13 new routes and four new destinations will be introduced this winter as part of a network offering over 80,000 weekly seats across more than 55 daily flights—a seat increase of about 16% compared to last year.

New Air Canada routes include services to Santiago (Chile), Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe), Fort-de-France (Martinique), Nassau (Bahamas), Montego Bay (Jamaica), Huatulco (Mexico), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Cartagena (Colombia), Guatemala City (Guatemala), and Guadalajara (Mexico). The airline reported a year-over-year revenue increase of 12% from these markets in Q1 of 2025.

Chief Commercial Officer Mark Galardo said earlier this year regarding Toronto–Guadalajara: “a decent proposition in the Sixth Freedom play between Europe and Mexico.” He noted that flight timings support both local demand and international connections via Air Canada's global network.

WestJet is also increasing its presence in Latin America by adding new destinations such as Guadalajara, Tepic, Havana, and Managua alongside an expanded seasonal schedule focused heavily on Cancun. Between November 2025 and March 2026 WestJet will operate nearly 2,950 flights into Latin America and the Caribbean—a growth of about six percent in seat capacity for those regions since last year—benefiting from its acquisition of Sunwing which strengthens its holiday market position.

Porter Airlines will enter Latin American markets for the first time this winter with new services from Toronto Pearson International Airport as well as Ottawa and Hamilton airports to Cancun (Mexico), Puerto Vallarta (Mexico), Nassau (Bahamas), Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands), and Liberia (Costa Rica). Porter’s Embraer E195-E2 fleet enables these operations; currently there are forty-one active aircraft with thirty more expected for delivery plus options for twenty-five additional units.

Porter Airlines will be unique on several city pairs: it will be alone flying Ottawa-Grand Cayman/Liberia as well as Hamilton-Puerto Vallarta/Nassau among Canadian carriers operating out of Toronto-based airports where competition includes Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat—and Flair Airlines.

Air Transat is also expanding with new launches between Toronto/Montreal-Rio de Janeiro Galeao airport plus Montreal-Guadalajara.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that its Wings of Change Europe (WOCE) event will take place at the Steigenberger Icon Wiltcher's Hotel in Brussels.

Oct 23, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced a new partnership with Crunchyroll, the global anime streaming platform, to bring a curated selection of anime content to its flights.

Oct 23, 2025

Delta Air Lines has been recognized as one of the 2025 Fortune Best Workplaces for Women, marking its return to the list since 2019.

Oct 23, 2025

Delta Air Lines marked its 100th anniversary by serving as the official airline of the 60th Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) in Boston.

Oct 23, 2025

American Airlines has announced that it will upgrade its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft with new Flagship Suites, the airline's latest business-class product.

Oct 23, 2025

Delta Air Lines will introduce a new in-flight dining partnership with Chef José Andrés, bringing Spanish-inspired cuisine to select cabins starting November 4.

Oct 23, 2025