Air Canada Expands with 4 New Latin American Destinations

Air Canada Expands Winter Schedule to Latin America: A Comprehensive Overview

Air Canada (AC) has announced its most extensive winter schedule to Latin America ever, increasing capacity by 16% compared to last year. The airline is set to introduce four new destinations—Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Cartagena (CTG), Guatemala City (GUA), and Guadalajara (GDL)—along with 13 new routes spanning South and Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico. This expansion positions Air Canada as a leader in the Canadian market for travel to Latin America.

With over 55 daily flights and more than 80,000 seats available weekly, Air Canada plans to provide the most comprehensive Latin American network among Canadian airlines this winter. Major departures will occur from top Canadian cities such as Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), Vancouver (YVR), Ottawa (YOW), Halifax (YHZ), and Quebec City (YQB).

(Photo by Liam Allport – CC BY 2.0)

Air Canada’s New Destinations to Latin America

Air Canada’s winter schedule for 2025–26 is designed to enhance connectivity between Canada and Latin America, providing more options for leisure, business, and cargo services.

Key Route Additions

• Toronto (YYZ) to Rio de Janeiro (GIG): This new route will operate three times a week from December 4, 2025, to March 28, 2026, establishing a crucial link to Brazil’s vibrant coastal city.
• Montreal (YUL) to Santiago (SCL): Launching on December 16, 2025, with three weekly departures.
• Seasonal non-stop service from Toronto (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL) to Cartagena (CTG) until April 2026.

This expansion highlights Air Canada’s commitment to attracting both Canadian travelers and international passengers utilizing Canadian hubs.

(Photo by Acefitt – CC BY-SA 4.0)

Central America and the Caribbean Get a Boost

In addition to its South American routes, Air Canada is increasing its presence in Central America and the Caribbean, targeting high-demand vacation and diaspora markets.

• Montreal (YUL) to Guatemala City (GUA): Two weekly flights starting October 2, 2025.
• Quebec City (YQB) to Fort-de-France (FDF): Weekly service beginning December 7.
• Toronto (YYZ) Flights: New Saturday flights to Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP) and three weekly flights to Guadalajara (GDL) starting November 4, 2025.

(Photo by Colin Cooke – Wikimedia Commons)

Enhanced Sun Destinations

Air Canada is also expanding its winter sun offerings through regional airports:

• Ottawa (YOW): New non-stop services to Nassau (NAS) and Montego Bay (MBJ), operating weekly from December 2025 to April 2026.
• Halifax (YHZ): Similar services to Nassau (NAS) and Montego Bay (MBJ) on designated days.
• Vancouver (YVR): New Sunday flights to Huatulco (HUX), enhancing access to Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Increased Frequency on Popular Routes

To accommodate rising demand, Air Canada will increase flight frequencies on several high-traffic routes during peak winter periods. Notable updates include:

• Toronto (YYZ) to Los Cabos (SJD): Up to daily flights.
• Toronto (YYZ) to Nassau (NAS): Up to 12 flights weekly.
• Montreal (YUL) to Punta Cana (PUJ): Up to three daily flights.
• Vancouver (YVR) to Puerto Vallarta (PVR): Now operating daily.

These changes cater to leisure travelers seeking sunny escapes while capitalizing on robust demand from Canada’s travel markets.

(Photo by BriYYZ – CC BY-SA 2.0)

Strategic Growth for Air Canada

This winter schedule expansion aligns with Air Canada’s broader New Frontiers strategy, which aims to enhance its global presence and increase sixth-freedom traffic through Canadian hubs. By improving access to Latin America, the airline is establishing itself as the preferred choice for travelers connecting between Europe, North America, and Latin America.

Additionally, the cargo potential is significant, as Latin America represents a growing logistics corridor. The airline anticipates that the added capacity will facilitate economic and trade activities between Canada and key Latin markets.

For more updates on Air Canada’s services or travel tips to Latin America, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or explore our related articles!