Air Canada has unveiled an exciting winter sun schedule for 2025-26, featuring a remarkable 16% increase in seat capacity to Latin America. This expansion introduces new routes to popular destinations and enhances connectivity to existing ones.
New Destinations and Increased Frequency
Among the newly added destinations are iconic cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Cartagena, Guatemala City, and Guadalajara. Additionally, travelers can now enjoy new Canadian gateways facilitating routes to Santiago, Pointe-a-Pitre, Fort-de-France, Nassau, Montego Bay, and Huatulco, along with an increased number of flights to established vacation hotspots.
Comprehensive Service to Latin America
In a recent statement, Air Canada emphasized its commitment to enhancing its service to Latin America: “With over 55 daily flights and more than 80,000 seats weekly, we will provide the most extensive offerings of any Canadian carrier servicing this vibrant region.” Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, underscored that the expanded winter schedule is designed to cater to both Canadian travelers and international passengers utilizing Sixth Freedom connections. This strategic move also aims to maximize cargo opportunities in the area.
New Routes Unveiled
| Flight | From | To | Depart | Arrive | Days of Operation | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC84 | Toronto (YYZ) | Rio de Janeiro (GIG) | 23:30 | 10:45 +1 day | Tue, Thu, Sat | Dec. 4, 2025 – Mar. 28, 2026 |
| AC936 | Toronto (YYZ) | Cartagena (CTG) | 08:15 | 13:40 | Sat | Dec. 20, 2025 – Apr. 11, 2026 |
| AC52 | Montreal (YUL) | Santiago (SCL) | 17:50 | 07:00 +1 day | Tue, Thu, Sat | Dec. 16, 2025 – Feb. 27, 2026 |
Enhanced Caribbean and Central America Access
| Flight | From | To | Depart | Arrive | Days of Operation | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC1368 | Montreal (YUL) | Guatemala City (GUA) | 17:35 | 22:30 | Thu, Sat | Oct. 2, 2025 – April 25, 2026 |
| AC1360 | Toronto (YYZ) | Guadalajara (GDL) | 16:45 | 21:10 | Tue, Thu, Sat | Nov. 04, 2025 – Apr. 28, 2026 |
| AC1270 | Ottawa (YOW) | Nassau (NAS) | 07:15 | 11:05 | Fri | Dec. 5, 2025 – Apr. 10, 2026 |
Responding to Travel Trends
Recent trends indicate that Canadians are increasingly favoring travel to the Caribbean and Mexico over the US. An Air Canada representative, Peter Fitzpatrick, noted that the expansion in capacity is driven by various factors, including a strategic reallocation of routes. New aircraft, such as the Airbus A220 and Boeing 737MAX, are set to enhance Air Canada’s growth potential this winter.
Additional Capacity for Key Routes
| Route | Increase during peak periods |
|---|---|
| Toronto – Los Cabos | Up to daily flights |
| Montreal – Punta Cana | Up to 3 daily flights |
| Vancouver – Puerto Vallarta | Up to daily flights |
This ambitious expansion by Air Canada showcases its commitment to enhancing travel options and meeting growing demand for vacation destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean. With new routes, increased capacities, and the latest aircraft, travelers can look forward to a comprehensive travel experience in the upcoming winter season.
