Air Canada and Air Transat Will Launch Canary Routes
New nonstop service from Toronto and Montreal to Tenerife and Gran Canaria will begin in late October 2026.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Canada
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Air Canada and Air Transat are set to introduce direct flight routes from Toronto and Montreal to the Canary Islands. The services will commence with Air Canada flights to Tenerife South starting on October 25, 2026.
Why it matters
The tourism board is actively seeking to expand the Canadian travel market by positioning the Canary Islands as a year-round alternative for leisure travelers. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between North American travelers and the archipelago.
The flights will serve Tenerife and Gran Canaria, where the annual average temperature is 23 degrees Celsius. Montreal flight frequency is scheduled to increase to twice weekly during February and March.
The players
Air Canada
This is the flag carrier and largest airline of Canada by fleet size and passengers carried.
Air Transat
This is a major Canadian leisure airline based in Montreal that specializes in vacation packages and charter flights.
Turismo de Islas Canarias
This is the official tourism board responsible for the promotion and marketing of the Canary Islands internationally.
The details
Air Canada will launch service to Tenerife South from Toronto on October 25 and from Montreal on October 31, while Air Transat begins weekly flights to Gran Canaria from Montreal on December 12 and Toronto on December 13. Turismo de Islas Canarias hosted over 100 travel advisors in Toronto to promote the move through visual projections and gastronomic tastings.
Timeline
October 25, 2026: Air Canada begins Toronto-Tenerife flights.
October 31, 2026: Air Canada begins Montreal-Tenerife flights.
December 12, 2026: Air Transat begins Montreal-Gran Canaria service.
April 4, 2027: Scheduled end for Air Transat Gran Canaria flights.
April 29, 2027: Last day for Toronto departures.
Travel Outlook
This story follows a pattern set by the historical expansion of Mediterranean holiday routes to Canadian markets, reflecting a shift toward year-round leisure connectivity. The expansion aims to capitalize on seasonal demand cycles that typically peak during the winter months.
Travelers looking to book these routes should note that Montreal service will eventually become year-round, while Toronto departures are currently scheduled to conclude on April 29, 2027. Early booking is advised as flight frequencies are set to peak in February and March.
The takeaway
Travelers seeking a temperate climate outside of the peak summer season should monitor these new direct routes for potential travel packages. These flights provide a significant increase in accessibility to an archipelago that maintains mild weather year-round.
Further reading
Explore more travel updates on the Canada section page.
Live Poll
Would you consider flying to the Canary Islands for your next winter vacation?
