MONTREAL — Air Transat, recently recognized as the 2025 World’s Best Leisure Airline by Skytrax, is broadening its international reach with an ambitious Summer 2026 schedule that adds new routes and upgrades several seasonal services to year-round operations. The move underscores the Canadian carrier’s strategy to strengthen its position in the global leisure travel market while enhancing connectivity across key destinations in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
The expanded network includes new direct flights from Québec City (YQB), Ottawa (YOW), and Montréal (YUL), marking another step in Air Transat’s plan to deepen its international footprint. The initiative reflects what the airline describes as a long-term commitment to “developing a stronger global footprint while offering passengers more direct flight options.”
Strengthening Québec’s Links to Europe and the Caribbean
Air Transat’s latest additions place a spotlight on Québec City, which will gain two significant connections for summer 2026. Beginning May 21, 2026, the airline will introduce a weekly nonstop flight between Québec City and Marseille (MRS) every Thursday, providing travelers with a direct route to southern France. The carrier said the new service complements its established Québec City–Paris (CDG) route, responding to growing demand for leisure travel between Eastern Canada and France.
In addition, the Québec City–Fort-de-France (FDF) service — originally set to debut in December 2025 — will extend into the summer schedule. The route will operate once weekly on Mondays, maintaining uninterrupted access between Québec and the French Caribbean island of Martinique. According to the airline, this expansion reflects strong year-round interest in Caribbean destinations among Canadian travelers.
Ottawa Gains First Transatlantic Air Transat Service
For Ottawa travelers, the 2026 summer program will deliver a milestone: Air Transat’s first non-stop transatlantic route from the nation’s capital. Starting May 15, 2026, flights from Ottawa (YOW) to London Gatwick (LGW) will operate three times per week — on Fridays, Sundays, and Tuesdays — opening a direct leisure corridor between Canada’s capital and the United Kingdom.
To strengthen regional connectivity, the carrier will also introduce a domestic link between Ottawa and Montréal from May 5 to October 23, 2026. The short-haul route aims to improve access to Air Transat’s Montréal hub, allowing Ottawa passengers to connect more easily to the airline’s expanding European and southern networks.
This domestic addition also aligns with Air Transat’s partnership with Porter Airlines (PD), which has been developing Ottawa as a key hub for Eastern Canada. The collaboration enables greater flexibility and shared infrastructure across the two carriers’ networks. “This move aligns with Air Transat’s growing partnership with Porter Airlines (PD), which is establishing Ottawa (YOW) as a key hub for eastern Canadian travel,” the company stated.
Expanding South: Year-Round Service to Colombia
In addition to transatlantic growth, Air Transat is extending its reach in Latin America. Beginning summer 2026, several southern routes will shift from seasonal to permanent year-round operation. Among them, the Montréal–Cartagena (YUL–CTG) service will now continue onward to Medellín (MDE) — mirroring the Toronto–Cartagena–Medellín (YYZ–CTG–MDE) route scheduled to launch on November 2, 2025.
The addition of Medellín to both Montréal and Toronto itineraries offers travelers expanded access to Colombia’s Caribbean coast and its cultural heartland. The airline said the year-round service “provides access to Colombia’s Caribbean coast and the dynamic culture of Medellín,” underscoring a broader trend of growing Canadian interest in South American leisure travel.
A Strategy of Sustainable Expansion
Air Transat’s Summer 2026 expansion reflects the carrier’s dual focus on strategic growth and customer convenience. “Air Transat’s latest network expansion reflects its strategic focus on developing a stronger global footprint while offering passengers more direct flight options,” the airline said.
By reinforcing its primary hubs and diversifying its route portfolio, Air Transat continues to strengthen its position in a competitive leisure market dominated by low-cost and hybrid carriers. The expansion is also a signal of the company’s confidence in sustained demand for international leisure travel, particularly in Europe and Latin America.
The airline emphasized that the growing collaboration with Porter Airlines is central to its long-term strategy. “The synergy between Air Transat and Porter Airlines further supports seamless connectivity, creating a stronger, integrated travel network across Canada and beyond,” the company said.
With three new international routes, additional domestic connectivity, and several extended year-round services, Air Transat is positioning itself to capture a greater share of leisure travel demand in 2026 and beyond.
Looking Ahead
As global travel continues to rebound, Air Transat’s 2026 summer program signals both optimism and competitive ambition. The combination of new European gateways, enhanced Caribbean access, and deeper domestic connectivity marks one of the most comprehensive expansions in the airline’s recent history.
For travelers seeking new options between Canada and key destinations abroad, the message is clear: Air Transat intends to be at the forefront of accessible, global leisure travel.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
