Canadians shun U.S. travel: Air Transat cancels all summer flights to Florida

With Canada-U.S. relations rapidly deteriorating since President Donald Trump took office for his second term, tensions have shown no signs of slowing down as Canadian travellers have increasingly boycotted travel to the U.S. in the past year, and now with decline in demand, airlines have had to adjust, including Air Transat which announced it will cut flights to Florida this Spring and cancel them completely for the 2026 summer season. The destination is a favourite for many Quebecers.

“I’m thinking about other options, I would choose another destination for the moment, but I would love to visit Florida,” said one Quebec traveller.

Another traveller saying, “I do believe that people will come to better solutions and change their mind, and they will go to the USA – it doesn’t really influence, if you have plans to go, you’ll go.”

“I’m planning to go to Minnesota to be with my sister,” she added.

While other airlines haven’t cancelled all flights to the U.S. this summer like Air Transat, Air Canada already announced they’re cutting back flights, and WestJet also says they won’t fly to 10 U.S. cities this summer due to travel decline.

“Canadians basically had a choice to make in terms of where they spend their discretionary dollars for vacation. And the choice started to be made last February, last March, and it’s now a year and Canadians continue to not spend their discretionary travel dollars in the US. And it’s got to a point where travel has dropped by about 30 per cent between Canada and the US. So it’s a continuation,” said John Gradek, the faculty lecturer of operations & integrated aviation management at McGill University.

With Canadians sharing mixed opinions on the matter, those who’ve chosen to boycott flying to the U.S told CityNews they’re looking at visiting destinations in South America and Europe instead.

“Carriers are, in fact, opening up new markets around North America. So, whether it’s the Caribbean, whether it’s Mexico, whether it’s Latin America, South America, more and more carriers are opening up new alternatives for people to spend their leisure dollars, and Canadians seem to like those new services being offered,” said Gradek.

For now, it’s unclear whether Air Transat will resume Florida flights for the 2026-2027 winter season, as the airline says its winter flight program is still undecided, leaving snowbirds waiting to see whether the tourism boycott of U.S. destinations will keep shaping airlines’ decisions.

“I think it’ll shift back. I think Canadians love the sun in the U.S. They love Florida. You know, I’ve been going to Florida for 20 years, and I really enjoy Florida. But, you know, I think that Canadians will remember what’s happened. I think that, you know, Canadians have a long memory, and there may be some trepidation,” said Gradek.

One Quebec traveller said, “Back in the 90’s it used to be more smooth, now it’s more rough, but at the end of the day we’re neighbours so we just have to get along.”

While another added, “In my opinion, the U.S. and Canada have a really strong brotherhood so I really hope that we can have a good relationship and build it again and make it stronger.”