Canadian Airlines Cut US Flights: Air Transat & More

Air Transat suspends all US flights for summer 2026, WestJet reduces transborder capacity

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Canadian airlines Air Transat and WestJet are making significant cuts to their US flight routes, with Air Transat suspending all flights across the border for the entire summer of 2026 and WestJet reducing its transborder capacity by close to 10% for the full year. The moves reflect a shift in demand, as Canadians appear to be choosing destinations closer to home.

Why it matters

The route cuts will impact both travelers and the tourism industries in the affected US cities, potentially leading to higher fares and longer travel times for Canadians visiting the US. However, the reallocation of capacity by WestJet could benefit destinations that remain popular with Canadian travelers. The broader economic implications remain to be seen, but the moves highlight the sensitivity of the airline industry to shifts in consumer demand.

The details

Air Transat's decision is a complete withdrawal from the US market for the peak summer travel season, suspending all nine routes it previously operated. WestJet is taking a more measured approach, cutting 16 routes including key city pairings like Boston to Vancouver and Los Angeles to Toronto. The airlines cite a 'notable decline in transborder travel demand throughout 2025' as the primary driver for the cuts, though other factors like exchange rates and evolving travel preferences may also be at play.

  • Air Transat announced its decision on February 19, 2026.
  • As of March 2025, Air Transat had already scaled back its US routes to just three: Montreal to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, and Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale.

The players

Air Transat

A Canadian airline that focuses on leisure travel, previously operating nine routes to the US as of March 2025.

WestJet

A Canadian airline that is reducing its overall transborder flying by close to 10% for the full year.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The route cuts by Air Transat and WestJet highlight the sensitivity of the airline industry to shifts in consumer demand, as Canadians appear to be choosing destinations closer to home. The moves will impact both travelers and the tourism industries in the affected US cities, but also present opportunities for other airlines to fill the void left by the Canadian carriers.