Air Canada To Exit 3 Cities & Expands Airbus A220-300 Flights

Air Canada has announced several changes to its US route network for the summer. These include the carrier’s exit from three US routes that it served from Toronto. In addition, it also announced both frequency increases and reductions as well as routes that will utilize the A220 for the first time.

Route cuts and reductions

According to Ishrion Aviation, Air Canada is making several changes to its summer 2025 route network in the US. The airline will cease operations in three cities that it serves from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

These include:

These routes were last served in the summer of this year, and the airline was expected to continue service next summer but has chosen to cut them. In addition, Air Canada will also scrap its route from Toronto to Portland International Airport (PDX) in Portland, Oregon.

In a statement to Simple Flying, Air Canada revealed the reason for the route cuts, stating:

“Unfortunately, we are currently unable to serve these markets given our current fleet resources. However, these communities are important to our network, and it is our present intention to return in 2026.”

Furthermore, the airline will also cancel its flights from Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). The route was supposed to be serviced through the summer but will now canceled after March 9th.

The airline is also reducing the frequency of flights on certain routes. From Toronto, the thrice-daily flight to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG) will be reduced to twice daily, and the twice-daily flight to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) will be reduced to a daily flight.

In addition, two twice-daily flights from Montreal are being reduced to once a day. This includes both Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).

Upgrades and increases

While the airline is cutting routes, it is also redistributing those resources elsewhere. It is increasing flight frequencies at several destinations. The route from YYZ to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) will increase from four to six times a day.

Air Canada is also introducing the use of the Airbus A220-300 on four US routes, including:

The STL, RDU, and PHL routes will see the A220 used from May 1st, while CLT will need to wait an additional month to use it in June. Regional jets will still be used on the routes.

Utilizing the A220-300 on these routes will increase capacity, as the aircraft is configured with 12 business class seats and 125 economy class seats, for a total of 137 seats versus the 76 seats available on the CRJ900 and the ERJ170. Jazz Air operates the regional jets under the Air Canada Express banner.