Published on
November 2, 2025
US joins Mexico, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Jamaica, and more in accelerating Canada’s tourism growth this winter, as Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter Airlines expand their flight networks to key destinations. This growth is driven by the airlines’ increased capacity, new routes, and extended flight schedules, providing travelers with more convenient and flexible options to explore both Canada’s winter attractions and popular warm-weather destinations. These expansions highlight the rising demand for travel and reinforce Canada’s position as a prime destination for tourists during the colder months.
Canada is experiencing a remarkable boom in winter tourism, driven in part by the expansion of flight routes between major Canadian cities and popular destinations across the Americas. As the winter season fast approaches, the Canadian tourism industry is seeing unprecedented growth, thanks to new and expanded routes by leading carriers like Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter Airlines. From the United States to Mexico, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and beyond, these airlines are ramping up services to meet growing demand and enhance the country’s appeal as a prime winter getaway.
The winter travel landscape has dramatically shifted in 2025, with US, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and other sun destinations playing pivotal roles in accelerating Canada’s tourism growth. Let’s explore how these expanded winter routes are shaping Canada’s tourism landscape and what travelers need to know for the upcoming season.
Expansion of Air Canada’s Winter Routes
As part of its largest-ever winter expansion, Air Canada is significantly increasing its capacity to Latin America and the Caribbean, enhancing Canada’s tourism potential by offering travelers more options to escape the cold. The airline has unveiled 13 new routes and four new destinations, marking a 16% increase in flight availability compared to last year. Air Canada’s winter routes for 2025-26 will link Canada to top vacation spots such as Brazil, Mexico, and Belize, among others.
Key routes that Air Canada is introducing this winter include:
- Toronto → Rio de Janeiro (Brazil): A new service starting on December 4, with three flights per week.
- Toronto → Puerto Escondido (Mexico): A route designed to capture the growing demand for beach destinations on the Pacific coast of Mexico.
- Montréal → Belize City: Air Canada’s expanded service to Central America.
Additionally, the airline is offering more flights to:
- Ottawa → Nassau and Ottawa → Montego Bay, providing greater connectivity to the Caribbean from Canada’s capital city.
These additions reflect Air Canada’s growing commitment to Latin American and Caribbean markets as key regions for Canadian travelers, especially during the colder winter months. The airline is making it easier for travelers to reach some of the world’s most popular vacation spots, while bolstering Canada’s tourism economy.
WestJet’s Winter Network Expansion
WestJet, one of Canada’s leading carriers, is also experiencing significant growth in its winter route network. The airline’s strategy to increase its capacity for the 2025-2026 winter season includes launching new destinations, adding more flights to existing routes, and offering additional capacity on popular routes that connect Canada to sun destinations.
Notable winter route expansions by WestJet include:
- Toronto → Mérida (Mexico): This service, already in operation, is ramping up to offer multiple weekly flights, making the Yucatán Peninsula an even more accessible destination for Canadian snowbirds.
- Calgary → Puerto Escondido (Mexico): WestJet’s new non-stop route, starting December 12, 2025, is designed to capture demand for warm destinations on the Pacific coast of Mexico.
- Toronto → Nassau and Vancouver → Montego Bay: These routes have seen increased frequency to accommodate higher demand from travelers heading to the Bahamas and Jamaica.
These winter expansions come at a critical time for Canada’s tourism sector, as WestJet is positioning itself to meet the growing demand for winter sun destinations, particularly in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. WestJet’s increased flight frequencies and destination additions ensure that more Canadian tourists can enjoy extended stays in sunny locales, even during the off-peak months.
Porter Airlines: New Sun Routes for Winter 2025-26
Porter Airlines, traditionally known for its regional services, is expanding its winter offerings as well, catering to Canadian travelers seeking sun-filled escapes. For the 2025-2026 season, Porter is launching new routes to several sought-after destinations in the Caribbean and Central America. These expansions represent a major shift for Porter, which is increasingly becoming a key player in Canada’s winter tourism market.
Key new routes from Porter Airlines include:
- Ottawa → Fort Lauderdale and Toronto → Nassau: These non-stop flights cater to travelers heading to Florida and the Bahamas, two key winter destinations for Canadians.
- Toronto → Costa Rica: Starting in December 2025, Porter will launch a weekly direct flight to San José, Costa Rica, connecting Canadian tourists to one of Central America’s most popular eco-tourism hotspots.
Porter’s winter service expansions come at a time when there is a strong demand for Caribbean and Central American destinations, especially for Canadians looking to escape the cold weather.
Impact of US Travelers on Canada’s Winter Tourism
In addition to the expanded services by Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter Airlines, the US is playing an important role in driving Canada’s tourism growth this winter. With a significant increase in travelers seeking alternative destinations to Mexico and the Caribbean, Canada is emerging as an increasingly attractive destination for US snowbirds. Many American tourists are choosing to visit Canada’s warmer regions, including British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, to enjoy the picturesque cities and surrounding landscapes during the winter months.
This trend is especially true for US travelers seeking winter sports, cozy winter experiences, and even cultural tourism, with destinations like Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Quebec City offering unique experiences such as festivals, food tours, and outdoor activities like skiing and snowboarding.
With Mexico, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, and Jamaica seeing significant growth in their tourism traffic to Canada, it’s clear that international airlines, particularly those serving the US and Latin America, are crucial to meeting the rising demand for flights between these regions. For Canadian travelers, this increased access to top destinations is a welcome change, especially as global travel continues to rebound after the pandemic.
Mexico and the Caribbean: Key Partners in Canada’s Winter Tourism Surge
Among the countries driving Canada’s winter tourism boom, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, and Jamaica stand out. These destinations have been key players in Canada’s expanding tourism network, with Mexico being one of the top travel hubs for Canadians. The country’s coastal regions, including Cancún, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta, continue to attract a high volume of tourists, particularly during the winter months when Canadians flock to warmer climates.
Costa Rica is another growing destination for Canadians, with Porter Airlines and WestJet both enhancing connectivity to this Central American paradise. Known for its biodiversity, tropical climate, and adventure tourism opportunities, Costa Rica has become a must-visit destination for eco-tourists seeking unique travel experiences.
Similarly, Jamaica and the Bahamas are perennial favorites for Canadians seeking sunshine, beach resorts, and all-inclusive vacation packages. WestJet’s increased service to these destinations is set to meet the rising demand for tropical escapes.
What Travelers Need to Know
For travelers planning to visit Canada during the winter season, here are key details to keep in mind:
- Booking Early: With the surge in demand for winter routes, airlines like Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter Airlines have seen an increase in bookings. Travelers should book flights early to secure the best fares and preferred travel dates.
- Extended Travel Periods: For the first time, winter flight schedules are starting earlier and lasting longer, with some airlines running services through May rather than the typical April cutoff. This provides snowbirds and winter travelers with more flexibility to plan longer stays in Canada or their tropical destinations.
- New Routes and Expanded Services: Travelers can enjoy more options for direct flights from Canadian cities to popular destinations across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the US. These expanded services make travel more accessible and convenient for those heading south during the colder months.
- Changes in Travel Requirements: Depending on the destination, travelers may encounter new entry requirements due to evolving health and safety measures. It’s important to stay informed about the latest travel advisories and border restrictions for the destination you are visiting.
Canada is experiencing a winter tourism surge, with airlines like Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter Airlines playing a central role in expanding access to sunny destinations. The US, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, and Jamaica are key drivers of this growth, offering travelers the chance to enjoy an extended winter season filled with sunshine, beaches, and cultural experiences.
For Canadian tourists, the growing number of direct flights and expanded services provides more opportunities to explore new destinations. The continued coordination between airlines, government, and the private sector signals a bright future for Canadian tourism, especially in the winter months.
US joins Mexico, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and more in accelerating Canada’s tourism growth, as Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter Airlines expand their winter networks. This growth is fueled by increased flight services and extended schedules, making it easier for travelers to reach both Canadian destinations and popular sunny getaways during the winter season.
Travelers heading to Canada or beyond should stay updated on the latest flight schedules, entry requirements, and travel conditions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable winter getaway. As airlines and destinations continue to ramp up their offerings, it’s clear that the future of Canadian winter tourism has never looked brighter.
