Thursday, May 22, 2025

Canada is expanding winter travel to Jamaica for the 2025–2026 season by launching new direct flights from Ottawa and Halifax and increasing flight frequencies from Toronto and Montreal, making the island more accessible than ever for Canadian travelers. This strategic expansion by Air Canada is expected to boost overall seat capacity by 23.2%, responding to rising demand for sun destinations and reinforcing Jamaica’s position as a top winter escape. With enhanced connectivity to Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport, Canadians across the capital region, Atlantic provinces, Ontario, and Quebec will benefit from more convenient and flexible travel options to the Caribbean.

Jamaica will see a major boost in accessibility for Canadian travelers during the 2025–2026 winter season as Air Canada strengthens its Caribbean presence with new routes and expanded service options. The national carrier will launch new direct flights from Ottawa and Halifax to Montego Bay and increase the frequency of flights from its major hubs in Toronto and Montreal. This substantial upgrade is expected to deliver a 23.2% rise in seat capacity from Canada to Jamaica, affirming the island’s position as a top winter destination for Canadians and signaling strong tourism momentum heading into the high season.

As Canadians increasingly look to escape frigid winters, demand for Caribbean destinations continues to surge—and Jamaica remains a perennial favorite. Recognizing this trend, Air Canada is expanding its airlift to the island with an eye toward both convenience and connectivity. The new routes from Ottawa and Halifax, combined with enhanced frequencies from Toronto and Montreal, provide broader access to Jamaica’s pristine beahes, rich culture, and tropical climate.

Air Canada’s addition of two new nonstop flights into Jamaica marks a significant step in opening up regional Canadian markets to international sun destinations. The new Ottawa–Montego Bay service will commence on December 7, 2025, and run weekly on Sundays through April 12, 2026. This launch offers Canada’s capital region its first direct seasonal connection to Jamaica, eliminating the need for connections through Toronto or Montreal.

Meanwhile, travelers from Atlantic Canada will benefit from the new Halifax–Montego Bay route starting December 4, 2025. These flights will operate weekly on Tuesdays until April 9, 2026, giving Nova Scotians direct access to Jamaica’s north coast for the duration of the peak winter travel season.

Both routes are timed to coincide with Canadian holiday and school vacation periods, maximizing travel opportunities for leisure and family travelers alike.

Alongside the launch of new routes, Air Canada is set to boost service on two of its most popular Jamaica connections, increasing flights from Toronto to Montego Bay from seven to ten per week—offering Canadian travelers three additional chances each week to reach the Caribbean directly from the country’s busiest metropolitan hub. This marks a substantial increase that reflects Toronto’s critical role in regional connectivity.

Montreal, too, will see enhanced service. Air Canada will now offer four weekly flights from the Quebec hub to Montego Bay, up from the previous three. This added frequency underscores growing demand from French-speaking Canadian travelers seeking sun-drenched escapes during the winter months.

These frequency upgrades ensure greater flexibility for travelers and strengthen Jamaica’s position as a key Caribbean hub for Canadian outbound tourism.

All flights in the expanded service will land at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ), the primary tourism gateway to Jamaica’s northwestern coast. MBJ is not only Jamaica’s busiest international airport but also a vital access point for destinations such as Negril, Ocho Rios, and the popular resort corridor along the north shore.

With modernized facilities, upgraded security processing, and a growing portfolio of airline partnerships, Sangster International Airport is well-positioned to handle the uptick in Canadian arrivals expected from this enhanced connectivity.

This expansion is part of Air Canada’s broader strategy to increase its presence in key sun destinations throughout the Caribbean. With Jamaica ranked among the top leisure destinations for Canadian travelers, the airline is capitalizing on consistent demand and shifting travel patterns post-pandemic. The decision to add routes from Ottawa and Halifax—two under-served regions for international sun travel—highlights Air Canada’s focus on decentralizing its Caribbean service and capturing new market share outside its traditional hubs.

Air Canada’s move is also aimed at supporting a seamless travel experience. Passengers will have access to flexible fare options, loyalty points through the Aeroplan program, and connections to other Caribbean islands or international destinations through Montego Bay.

The expanded routes and frequency upgrades are expected to yield a 23.2% increase in overall seat capacity from Canada to Jamaica, a substantial gain that reflects both rising demand and airline confidence in the destination’s draw. This growth will help stabilize pricing, improve availability during high-demand periods, and provide Canadian travelers with more competitive options throughout the season.

The significant boost in airlift also creates more opportunities for Jamaica’s hospitality industry, including resorts, tour operators, and local businesses that depend on strong seasonal inflows.

Jamaica’s tourism sector has been preparing for a resurgence, and the new Air Canada services are set to complement ongoing efforts to upgrade infrastructure, improve visitor experiences, and expand hotel offerings. Backed by rising interest from Canadian travelers, tourism operators in Jamaica are gearing up for what is expected to be a landmark winter season in 2025–2026.

Montego Bay’s appeal lies not only in its accessibility but also in the diversity of attractions nearby. From all-inclusive resorts and beach clubs to river rafting, cultural excursions, and reggae history, the region offers rich experiences that attract repeat visitors from across Canada.

The winter travel window—from early December to mid-April—is the most important period for Jamaica’s tourism economy. Canadian travelers often plan extended stays, family holidays, or romantic getaways during this period, particularly around Christmas, New Year’s, and Spring Break. Air Canada’s scheduling of the new routes to perfectly align with this window amplifies their impact.

Moreover, the weekly timing of the new flights—Sunday departures from Ottawa and Tuesday flights from Halifax—caters to vacationers seeking structured 7- or 14-night travel options, simplifying planning for both leisure and group travel.

As other Caribbean destinations ramp up their tourism campaigns, Jamaica is maintaining its competitive edge through superior connectivity, brand awareness in the Canadian market, and a growing inventory of resorts catering to all travel segments—from family-friendly properties to luxury escapes and eco-lodges.

By adding direct flights from second-tier Canadian cities, Jamaica is also reducing travel friction and expanding its reach into new segments of the market. This development may also drive more first-time visitors who previously avoided international travel due to multi-stop itineraries.

The enhanced air connectivity represents more than just commercial expansion—it also strengthens cultural and tourism ties between Canada and Jamaica. The enhanced connectivity from cities such as Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal—home to thriving Jamaican communities—strengthens both vacation travel and visits to family and friends, a foundational element of Jamaica’s international tourism landscape.

As global travel continues its recovery, Air Canada’s investment in new and expanded services to Jamaica signals growing confidence in the destination and reflects Canadians’ enduring love for the island. The addition of direct routes from Ottawa and Halifax, combined with more flights from Toronto and Montreal, ensures that Jamaica will remain one of the most connected Caribbean destinations for Canadian travelers this winter.

Canada is enhancing winter travel to Jamaica with new direct flights from Ottawa and Halifax and increased service from Toronto and Montreal, aiming to meet rising demand and improve access to Montego Bay. The expansion is expected to boost seat capacity by 23.2% for the 2025–2026 season.

The expected 23.2% growth in seat capacity stands as a bold indicator of what’s to come—more Canadians on Jamaican shores, stronger economic activity in tourism, and a vibrant winter season that benefits both nations.

Jamaica is poised for a dynamic winter tourism season in 2025–2026 as Air Canada boosts access with new direct flights from Ottawa and Halifax and increased service from Toronto and Montreal. With a projected 23.2% rise in seat capacity and enhanced connectivity through Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport, Canadian travelers will enjoy more options and greater convenience in reaching one of the Caribbean’s most beloved destinations. The expanded routes underscore the island’s resilience and appeal, reinforcing Jamaica’s standing as a premier winter getaway and a vital partner in Canada’s outbound travel landscape.