Canadian Airlines Pull Back Flights to US, One Exits Entirely

Air Transat ends US routes as Canadian travel demand to America declines

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Canadian airlines are scaling back flights to the United States, with Air Transat announcing it will no longer fly to the US this summer and WestJet suspending 16 routes across the border. The pullback comes as Canadian travel demand to the US has sunk since President Donald Trump took power, with capacity down 10% compared to a year earlier.

Why it matters

The reductions by Canadian airlines highlight the broader decline in travel between the two neighboring countries, which has been impacted by trade tensions, political rhetoric, and a 'Buy Canadian' movement among consumers. This shift could have broader economic implications for businesses and tourism on both sides of the border.

The details

Air Transat, a Montreal-based vacation airline, will end all of its US routes in early June, down from nine routes a year ago. WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, is suspending 16 transborder routes, including major city pairs like Boston to Vancouver and Los Angeles to Toronto, as it has seen a 'notable decline in transborder travel demand' throughout 2025.

  • Air Transat's last US flight will operate in early June 2026.
  • In March 2025, Air Transat operated nine routes to and from the US, but that number had dropped to three by early 2026.
  • Last month, capacity was down 10% on flights from Canada to the US compared to a year earlier.

The players

Air Transat

A Montreal-based airline that focuses on vacation travel and was named the world's best leisure airline by Skytrax for three years in a row.

WestJet

Canada's second-biggest airline, which is slashing 16 routes across the border to the US for the summer.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, whose policies and rhetoric have contributed to the decline in Canadian travel demand to the US.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This adjustment is part of a proactive management of our capacity, as we focus our efforts on markets where Air Transat is best positioned and that allow us to optimize the deployment of our resources.”

— Air Transat spokesperson (Business Insider)

“We saw a notable decline in transborder travel demand throughout 2025.”

— WestJet spokesperson (Business Insider)

What’s next

Air Transat's winter schedule for US flights will be determined at a later date.

The takeaway

The pullback by Canadian airlines from the US market reflects the broader decline in travel between the two countries, driven by trade tensions, political rhetoric, and changing consumer preferences. This shift could have significant economic implications for businesses and tourism on both sides of the border.