Book Domestic Flights in Canada
To book domestic flights in Canada, you can easily use various online travel agencies or visit the official websites of airlines. It’s important to compare prices and check for any restrictions or requirements related to COVID-19 before booking your flights. Additionally, ensure all necessary travel documents, such as a passport or valid identification, are ready for your trip.
Some of Canada’s most popular airlines for domestic flights include Air Canada, WestJet, Flair Airlines, Porter Airlines, and Swoop. These airlines operate flights to various destinations within Canada and offer a range of services to their passengers.
Air Canada and WestJet are the two largest airlines in Canada and offer extensive domestic and international networks. Flair Airlines, Porter Airlines, and Swoop are low-cost carriers providing affordable domestic travel options in Canada.
Air Canada Routes for Domestic Travel
Air Canada is one of Canada’s major airlines, offering a wide range of domestic flights nationwide. Their domestic flights connect major Canadian cities such as Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, and Ottawa, as well as smaller regional airports.
Air Canada’s domestic flights offer various cabin classes, including economy, premium economy, and business class, with in-flight entertainment and meal options available on select flights.
WestJet Point to Point Travel Within Canada
WestJet is a Canadian airline that offers domestic flights within Canada. They operate flights to over 100 destinations across the country, including major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal.
WestJet is known for its friendly customer service, affordable prices, and comfortable cabin experience. They offer a range of fare options to suit different travel needs and budgets. Their frequent flyer program, WestJet Rewards, allows passengers to earn and redeem points for flights and other travel-related expenses.
Swoop
Swoop is a Canadian ultra-low-cost airline that operates domestic flights within Canada. It was founded in 2018 and is a subsidiary of WestJet Airlines. It offers affordable air travel options for passengers, including unbundled fares that allow travelers to only pay for the services they need.
The airline operates a Boeing 737-800 aircraft fleet and currently serves over 20 destinations across Canada. Swoop aims to provide passengers with a hassle-free and affordable travel experience.
Flair Air
Flair Air is a low-cost Canadian airline that offers domestic flights to several destinations within Canada. With its focus on affordability and convenience, Flair Air operates a fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft and offers a range of services to cater to the needs of budget-conscious travelers.
Passengers can choose from various fare options and add-ons, such as seat selection and baggage allowance, to customize their travel experience. Overall, Flair Air provides an accessible and affordable option for those looking to travel within Canada.
Who Flies Domestic Routes In Canada
Canada is served by a handful of national carriers and a long list of regional operators. Knowing which type of airline you are booking matters more than the fare itself, because it decides what your ticket includes.
| Airline | Type | Where it is strongest | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | Full service network carrier | The widest domestic network, built around hubs at Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary | Fares come in several branded levels, so the cheapest one may not include a checked bag or seat selection. |
| WestJet | Full service, with low cost fare options | Strong presence in Western Canada with Calgary as its main base, plus east and west transcontinental routes | Its lowest fare families are deliberately stripped back, so check the baggage rules before comparing prices. |
| Porter Airlines | Short haul and growing jet network | Eastern Canada, with Toronto Billy Bishop for turboprop routes and Toronto Pearson for its jet services | Billy Bishop sits downtown rather than out by the highway, which can save a long airport transfer. |
| Flair Airlines | Ultra low cost carrier | Point to point routes between larger Canadian cities | The headline fare covers the seat and little else. Cabin bags, checked bags and seat choice are all priced separately. |
| Air Transat | Leisure carrier | Holiday routes, with limited domestic flying that mostly feeds its longer services | Schedules are seasonal, so a route that exists in winter may disappear in summer. |
| Regional operators | Smaller aircraft, community routes | Atlantic Canada, the North and remote communities that jets do not reach | Flights are less frequent and baggage limits are tighter, so build in a buffer if you are connecting. |
A note on Swoop: Swoop operated as WestJet’s separate ultra low cost brand until 2023, when its aircraft, crews and routes were absorbed back into the main WestJet operation. If you are looking for a Swoop style fare today, the equivalent is WestJet’s lowest fare option or another low cost carrier. Call us and we will compare them for your route.
Popular Domestic Routes And What They Involve
Flying times below are approximate non-stop durations. Actual times vary with aircraft type, winds and the season, and some pairings are only served with a connection at certain times of year.
| Route | Approximate non-stop time | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto to Montreal | Around 1 hour 15 minutes | One of the busiest corridors in the country, with departures through most of the day. |
| Toronto to Vancouver | Around 5 hours | A transcontinental flight, so bring what you need on board and expect a three hour time difference westbound. |
| Toronto to Calgary | Around 4 hours 15 minutes | A common gateway to the Rockies, and a frequent connecting point for onward western flights. |
| Toronto to Halifax | Around 2 hours | Remember Atlantic time is an hour ahead of Eastern, which catches people out on arrival plans. |
| Vancouver to Calgary | Around 1 hour 20 minutes | Short, frequent and often the cheapest way across the mountains compared with driving time. |
| Calgary to Edmonton | Under an hour | So short that airport time outweighs flying time. Worth comparing against ground travel. |
| Toronto to Winnipeg | Around 2 hours 40 minutes | A useful stop between east and west, with fewer daily departures than the big city pairs. |
| Montreal to Vancouver | Around 5 hours 30 minutes | The longest regular domestic hop, usually operated by larger aircraft with seat back screens. |
How To Keep A Domestic Fare Genuinely Cheap
- Compare the total cost with baggage added, not the headline fare. A low cost ticket plus two checked bags can end up above a full service fare that already includes them.
- Shift your departure by a day where you can. Mid-week and early morning departures are usually quieter and cheaper than Friday evening and Sunday night.
- Look at secondary airports around large cities, then check the cost and time of getting into town before you commit.
- On short hops, count the whole journey. A flight of under an hour still needs airport time at both ends.
- Watch the connection window on regional routes. A cheap itinerary with a tight transfer stops being cheap the moment you miss it.
- Decide whether you need flexibility. If your plans may move, a changeable fare often costs less than the change fee on the cheapest ticket.
Please note: Get Air Line is an independent travel booking service and is not affiliated with, and does not represent, any of the airlines named on this page. Airline names are used only to describe the flights we can book on your behalf. Routes, schedules, fares and baggage rules are set by each airline and change regularly, so we confirm current details before any booking is made.
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