Air Transat Suspends All U.S. Operations as of Spring 2026
Air Transat is canceling its last remaining flights to the United States, effectively suspending all of its business operations south of the border starting this spring. The airline will end its services to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, marking a complete withdrawal from the U.S. market for the 2026 summer season.
Specific Route Cancellations and Timeline
According to spokesperson Marie-Eve Vallières, Air Transat will cease flights to Orlando from Montreal on May 3. Additionally, flights to Fort Lauderdale from both Quebec City and Montreal will be gradually phased out throughout May and June. The airline previously operated up to two daily flights to Florida, catering primarily to Canadian snowbirds and theme park visitors heading to destinations like Disneyland.
The decision regarding whether these flights will resume for the fall and winter seasons will be made at a later date, Vallières confirmed. She emphasized that the airline's presence in the U.S. has been minimal, accounting for only one percent of Air Transat's available seat-kilometre capacity during the summer months.
Context of Declining U.S. Travel Demand
This move by Air Transat comes on the heels of a similar announcement from WestJet earlier in the week. WestJet revealed it is cutting service to 10 U.S. cities due to a significant decline in trans-border travel demand throughout 2025. Affected routes include flights from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg to destinations such as Nashville, Los Angeles, Tampa, and San Francisco.
WestJet spokesperson Julia Kaiser explained to the Vancouver Sun that there is no indication this downward trend in U.S. travel demand will reverse in the near future. However, she noted that demand for other international destinations remains robust, including Latin America, the Caribbean, trans-Atlantic, and trans-Pacific routes.
Strategic Reallocation of Resources
Air Transat stated that its decision to suspend U.S. flights is part of a strategic effort to optimize resource deployment. "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," Vallières wrote in an email.
With only two of its 67 total destinations located in the United States, the airline is redirecting its focus to more profitable and in-demand markets. This shift reflects broader industry trends where airlines are adapting to changing passenger preferences and economic conditions.
The suspension of U.S. flights represents a significant operational change for Air Transat, which has historically served popular Florida vacation spots. Travelers who relied on these routes will need to seek alternative carriers for their U.S. travel plans this summer.
