Air Transat Takes Off for Rio de Janeiro from Toronto, Montreal

Air Transat took off with its first flights to Rio de Janeiro (GIG) last week fromr Toronto and Montreal and with the new non-stop services, the airline is offering travellers seamless access to one of South America’s most iconic destinations and becomes the only airline to connect Montreal directly to Rio de Janeiro.

The new Toronto–Rio de Janeiro service operates twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, until June 10, 2026. The Montreal–Rio de Janeiro route, offered exclusively by Air Transat, runs once weekly on Thursdays until June 4, 2026. Both routes are served by the Airbus A330, ensuring travellers enjoy spacious cabins and a comfortable journey.

Sebastian Ponce, Transat’s Chief Revenue Officer, said: “Inaugurating our non-stop service to Rio de Janeiro from both Toronto and Montreal is a bold step in expanding our South American offering.”

And Ponce continued: “These routes create a direct bridge between Canada and Brazil, making it easier for travellers to experience Rio’s vibrant culture and for families and friends to reunite across continents. And as the only airline offering a non-stop flight from Montreal to Rio, we are proud to provide an exclusive option that brings Canadians and Brazilians closer together.”

Kurush Minocher, Chief Commercial Officer, Toronto Pearson, noted that: “Travel between Canada and Rio de Janeiro is a growing market, with 44,000 passengers travelling annually between these two markets, nearly half of which arrive and depart from Toronto Pearson.”

And Minocher said: “Air Transat’s new non-stop service responds directly to this momentum and gives our passengers even more options to reach Brazil and the legendary skyline of Rio de Janeiro. We’re proud to support this route and the opportunities it creates for both business and leisure travellers.”

While Karl Brochu, Vice President, Airport Operations and Air Service Development at ADM, said that: “This new route will give travellers the chance to discover a destination known for its vibrant culture and remarkable diversity. Beyond boosting tourism, this connection will also strengthen economic, cultural, and family ties between Quebec and Brazil. We extend our sincere thanks to all the Air Transat teams who worked tirelessly to bring this route to life.”

Travellers flying to Rio de Janeiro with Air Transat can also benefit from the airline’s interline partnership with GOL Airlines.

From Galeão International Airport (GIG), this agreement provides smooth onward connections to GOL’s extensive network of destinations across Brazil and South America. These include major cities such as São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife, Salvador and Belo Horizonte – making it easier than ever to explore Brazil and beyond.

Go to www.airtransat.com for more.

In the photos

TOP

Carl Jones, Head of Aviation Business Development at Greater Toronto Airports Authority; Selva Veragou, Senior Director of Network Planning & Strategy at Transat; Howard Liebman, Vice President of Government Relations at Transat; Sean O’Donnell, Associate Director, Air Service and Cargo Development at Greater Toronto Airports Authority; The Honorable Denis Ishikawa dos Santos, Deputy Consul General of Brazil in Toronto; and crew members of flight TS272. (Photo credit: Elaine Fancy)

MIDDLE 

Karl Brochu, Vice President of Airport Operations and Air Service Development at ADM; Sebastian Ponce, Chief Revenue Officer at Transat; The Honorable Bárbara Bélkior de Souza e Silva, Deputy Consul General of Brazil in Montreal; and crew members of flight TS2724. (Photo credit: Frédérique Ménard-Aubin)