TORONTO — In a significant move to enhance its presence in downtown Toronto, Air Canada has announced plans for new nonstop flights to the U.S., launching from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) in spring 2026. This development was revealed during a sunny press conference at the airport’s atrium, involving representatives from Air Canada, PortsToronto, and Nieuport Aviation.
Expanded Nonstop Flight Services
The new services will offer:
- 4x daily flights to New York’s LaGuardia Airport, starting March 29, 2026
- 3x daily flights to Boston Logan International Airport, beginning July 1, 2026
- 2x daily flights to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, commencing June 1, 2026
- 1x daily flight to Washington Dulles International Airport, starting June 1, 2026
Enhancements to Existing Routes
Beginning January 2026, Air Canada will also increase its frequencies to Montreal and Ottawa. The number of return flights to Montreal will rise from eight to nine, while flights to Ottawa will increase from four to six daily. This effort aims to align with the growing demand for travel in these regions.
Service Innovations
In addition, Air Canada is set to introduce several service enhancements. Notably, the airline will be the only carrier to provide fast, free WiFi on all flights to and from YTZ. Customers will also enjoy complimentary premium snacks, beer, wine, and exclusive access to the Aspire Air Canada Café for eligible domestic passengers.
Connecting Greater Toronto
This expansion at Billy Bishop complements Air Canada’s extensive network at Toronto Pearson International Airport, which offers over 600 flights daily to more than 120 destinations throughout the summer.
Strategic Growth Amid Challenges
Mark Galardo, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the importance of this expansion, stating, “These four U.S. markets are huge for Air Canada.” He revealed that today’s announcement has been a decade in the making and coincides with the upcoming opening of U.S. Customs Pre-Clearance services at Billy Bishop.
Galardo noted the unexpected challenges facing transborder air travel, attributed to geopolitical issues and shifts in Canadian outbound travel to the U.S. However, he highlighted that the demand for flights to major U.S. cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, and Washington D.C. remains strong. “We haven’t seen a drop in business travel. The corporate market has been pretty robust,” he added.
Commitment to Toronto
With this expansion, Air Canada reaffirms its dedication to serving the Toronto area. Galardo declared, “With this expansion, we can say unequivocally that Air Canada is Toronto’s airline.” Between Billy Bishop and Pearson, Air Canada will be able to connect the Greater Toronto Area to over 120 global destinations.
For further details, visit Air Canada’s official website and stay updated on flight offerings and travel options.
