Today, Florida’s Orlando International Airport (MCO) welcomed the first flight from Toronto with Flair Airlines. The Canadian carrier already serves one destination in Canada from Orlando and will add two more by the end of the year.
Landing with a Flair
Flair Airlines, recently named the country’s most reliable, will launch flights to four destinations across Canada from the Florida Airport this year. The carrier first touched down in Orlando with flights from already popular Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF) in late October. According to the airline, the route has proved popular, leading to the addition of the new Boeing 737-800
services.
In addition to today’s major milestone with the inaugural flight from Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Flair will be adding routes to Orlando from London (YXU) starting on December 20th and Saint John (YSJ) on December 22nd. Eric Tanner, VP of Network Planning & Revenue Management at Flair Airlines, noted how the expanded network will open new doors for Canadians to escape the winter chill while allowing Floridians to experience the charm of Canadian winter:
“For Canadians dreaming of an escape to the sun, or for Floridians hoping to explore Canada’s winter magic, Flair provides unbeatable value.
“We’re excited to offer these direct, reliable routes at a time when travel between Orlando and Canada is most meaningful.”
The first flight from Toronto took off this morning slightly behind schedule at 07:23 but made up for the delay, landing in Orlando just over two hours and twenty minutes later at 09:46, based on flight tracking data from Flightradar24. According to Flair, the Toronto route launch is “especially exciting” as it marks the most convenient way for Toronto travelers to reach the world’s theme park capital and for Floridians to discover the highlights of Ontario and enjoy a white Christmas.
Filling up the Florida flights
The flights have been well-received by the local communities and are expected to provide more options for low-cost, nonstop travel between Florida and Canada. Kevin J. Thibault, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which owns and operates Orlando International (MCO), confirmed that expanded routes will be a “fantastic addition” to the existing options at Orlando International Airport, noting:
“With direct flights from both major cities and regional hubs, Canadians and Floridians now have easier, affordable access to explore and experience new adventures.”
Three of the four new routes will face no direct competition. Flair is currently the only airline scheduled to operate flights between Orlando and Kitchener-Waterloo, London International Airport (Canada), and Saint John.
Photo: Ross Howey Photo | Shutterstock
However, Flair is entering a crowded market for Orlando-Toronto flights. Canadian flag carrier 
Air Canada
offers four daily flights next month, primarily on the Airbus A321. WestJet also connects YYZ and MCO with frequent Boeing 737 flights, as does Porter Airlines with its Embaer E195 fleet.
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Air Canada Schedules Boeing 777-300ER Flights Between Toronto & Orlando For Spring Break
Canada’s flag carrier is adding a lot of capacity on services to Orlando.
.
The route expansion was first announced in May. Flair previously operated flights out of Orlando’s secondary airport Orlando Sanford
(SFB) for the winter 2023 season. For Casandra Matej, the President and CEO of Visit Orlando, the addition of new flights comes as a welcome announcement for the community, which is excited to welcome additional Canadian arrivals:
“The new direct flights from Toronto Pearson, London and Saint John, which join the recent addition of Kitchener-Waterloo, are making it even easier for Canadians to travel to the theme park capital of the world.
“Low-cost air carriers like Flair are especially appealing for those seeking affordable travel options to escape the chilly winter temperatures and enjoy the Orlando sunshine.”
For those looking to explore Orlando’s attractions or dip their toes into Canadian culture and winter festivities without worrying about delays, Flair recently launched an On-Time Guarantee to provide automatic compensation if your flight is late.
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Flair Airlines Introduces Canada’s Only On-Time Guarantee For Punctual Flights Or Payback
Passengers will be compensated for delays longer than one hour.
