When it comes to flying between Florida and Canada, Air Transat stands out as a unique and affordable option.
Air Transat markets itself as a budget option for leisure travel, making it worth investigating instead of flying with Air Canada.
In this article, we will explore Air Transat’s flight operations from Florida. We will provide you with details on what you can expect on board Air Transat flights. Finally, we’ll analyze how Air Transat stacks up against its competitors.
Who is Air Transat and Why Do They Fly Between the U.S and Canada?
Air Transat is Canada’s Leisure Airline
Air Canada accounted for nearly 50% of all airline flights in the country in 2020. Air Canada is the national flag carrier for Canada. Meaning that they dominate Canada’s airline market. If you’re flying out of Canada, likely Air Canada will be your primary option.
With that said, Air Canada doesn’t focus on the leisure market.
Enter Air Transat. Air Transat is Canada’s leading leisure airline. They fly to 60 international vacation destinations around the world.
While Air Canada dominates Canada’s market share, Air Transat focuses on budget travel for passengers looking to go on vacation.
Florida is Air Transat’s Main U.S Destination
The United States lacks airlines that are officially designated as “leisure airlines”. Some low cost carriers like Sun Country or JetBlue, do have flights to vacation spots in neighboring countries. But the United States does not have a designated leisure airline. Leisure airlines are more prevalent in other countries.
While there are some vacation cities in the U.S like Las Vegas, Air Transat focuses only on the Florida market. The airline has identified a competition vacuum between vacation travel between the United States and Canada. Specifically, in Florida.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a flight across the U.S with Air Transat.
The airline has a codeshare with Porter Airlines. The Air Transat – Porter codeshare ensures seamless travel experiences between the two airlines. Porter has a much broader destination network in the United States, which includes Las Vegas.
Air Transat also has a codeshare agreement with WestJet, likely to capture some of Western Canada’s market demand.
But you need to keep in mind that Air Transat doesn’t offer nonstop flights to anywhere else in the U.S besides Florida under the Air Transat brand.
Air Canada and its leisure airline, Air Canada Rouge each fly into/from Florida like Air Transat.
Unlike Air Canada, Air Transat uses Montreal as its hub, not Toronto. All route pairings to/from Florida concern the Quebec, New Brunswick, or Nova Scotia regions of Canada.
Where in Florida Does Air Transat Have Flights to Canada?
Air Transat connects you to several Canadian cities from Florida. As of January 2025, here are the current options you have for flights between Florida and Canada using Air Transat.
Fort Lauderdale
Air Transat offers flights from Fort Lauderdale International Airport to:
- Montreal via Montréal–Trudeau International Airport
- Quebec City via Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport
- Halifax via Halifax Stanfield International Airport
Fort Lauderdale – Montreal
- Frequency: Daily, twice per day, year-round
- Flight Numbers:
- Florida to Montreal: Air Transat Flights 845 & 847
- Montreal to Florida: Flights 844 & 846
- Plane: Airbus A320 or A321
Fort Lauderdale – Quebec City
- Frequency: Seasonal winter flights, 3–4 times per week
- Flight Numbers:
- Florida to Quebec City: Air Transat Flight 616
- Quebec City to Florida: Flight 617
- Plane: Airbus A321
Fort Lauderdale – Halifax
- Frequency: Seasonal, once per week
- Flight Numbers:
- Florida to Halifax: Air Transat Flight 642
- Halifax to Florida: Flight 643
- Plane: Airbus A321
Orlando
Air Transat connects you to these Canadian destinations from Orlando International Airport:
- Montreal via Montréal–Trudeau International Airport
- Quebec City via Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport
- Moncton via Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport
- Halifax via Halifax Stanfield International Airport
Orlando – Montreal
- Frequency: Daily flights
- Flight Numbers:
- Orlando to Montreal: Air Transat Flight 821
- Montreal to Orlando: Air Transat Flight 820
- Plane: Airbus A320 or Airbus A321
Orlando – Quebec City
- Frequency: Twice weekly flights
- Flight Numbers:
- Orlando to Quebec City: Air Transat Flight 608
- Quebec City to Orlando: Air Transat Flight 609
- Plane: Airbus A321
Orlando – Moncton
- Frequency: Seasonal, Twice weekly flights
- Flight Numbers:
- Orlando to Moncton: Air Transat Flight 623
- Moncton to Orlando: Air Transat Flight 622
- Plane: Airbus A321
Orlando – Halifax
- Frequency: Seasonal, 1-2 flights per week.
- Flight Numbers:
- Orlando to Halifax: Air Transat Flight 655
- Halifax to Orlando: Air Transat Flight 654
- Plane: Airbus A321
What to Expect Flying on Air Transat?
You can have high expectations when flying on Air Transat. The airline was ranked the best leisure airline in the world by SkyTrax World Airline Awards.
Air Transat fares are some of the cheapest on the market
One thing you’ll notice is Air Transat being much cheaper than Air Canada. For example, when searching for flights between Fort Lauderdale and Montreal, Air Transat fare prices were half of what Air Canada was charging on flights with ample seat availability.
This is partly thanks to Air Canada having limited competition in the country. They have the ability to charge higher prices while providing base level accommodations and service. This has been a recent complaint amongst Canadian air travelers.
Air Transat is a budget carrier. To keep fare prices down, some accommodations are only available when you buy premium fares.
Air Transat’s Classes and Fares Explained
They have two class types. There is an economy class and a club class, which is their premium level of service. Within each of these classes, there are 2 to 3 fare types. The more you pay, the more accommodations you receive.
Economy Class:
- Eco Budget: Ideal for travelers with only carry-on luggage.
- Eco Standard: Includes one checked bag and allows flight changes for a fee.
- Eco Flex: Offers free cancellations, checked baggage, and seat selection.
Club Class:
- Club Standard: Provides free carry-on, checked bags, and inclusive meal service; seat selection is extra.
- Club Flex: Offers most flexibility with complimentary services at a higher fare.
The economy class has three fare types: Eco Budget, Eco Standard, and Eco flex.
Their lowest possible priced option is Eco Budget. If you’re flying with only a carry-on, this fare type is for you.
If you’re flying with the uncertainty of your plan, you might want to opt for Eco Standard. This fare will give you the chance to change your trip for a fee. You also receive a one checked bag.
Finally, there’s Eco Flex. That is Air Transat premium economy product. It gives you free cancellations, checked baggage, and seat selection.
Air Transat’s most premium cabin product, Club Class, has two fare options: Club Standard and Club Flex.
In Club Standard, you will get perks like free carry-ons, checked bags and inclusive meal service. But you will have to pay for seat selection. You will also get charged if you need to cancel your flight.
The highest level of service is Air Transat’s Club Class Flex. It gives you total flexibility and the most complementary comfort. But at a higher fare of course.
Our Thoughts on Air Transat’s Service From the U.S to Canada
Air Transat plays a vital role in both the Canadian and Florida markets for flights.
Air Canada has a tight grip on the airline market in Canada.
Without many options for travelers from Canada or Floridian’s looking to get to Canada, Air Canada can charge higher prices and skimp out on customer service because they have you between a rock and a hard place.
Air Transat gives these passengers a chance. As a budget airline, they charge more affordable prices than Air Canada would charge. Their amenities aren’t half bad either. There is a fare type for everyone on these flights.
With the lack of U.S airline options for Floridians, Air Transat should be considered when looking for flights up to Canada. The only drawback is that you’re limited to where you can fly. Air Transat only serves Eastern Canada with nonstop flights from Florida.
While we can’t expect Air Transat to grow its U.S market base, it’s always nice to see airlines like Air Transat, Porter Airlines, and Westjet all work together to give the Canadian airline market a chance in stepping up to the big dog, in this case Air Canada.
Sources
https://www.statista.com/statistics/545642/air-carrier-canada-domestic-market-share
https://www.airtransat.com/en-US/corporate-information-en-US/about-air-transat
https://www.airtransat.com/en-US/book/codeshare-flights
https://www.flightconnections.com/route-map-air-transat-ts
https://skytraxratings.com/airlines/air-transat-rating
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/air_canada.html?page=1#sort=helpful
