Air Canada unveils major expansion at Billy Bishop, launches flights to four U.S. cities, increases frequency to Montreal, Ottawa

Describing it as Air Canada’s “most significant expansion at Toronto Island since Air Canada first served the airport 35 years ago,” Mark Galardo, Air Canada Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President, Cargo, unveiled details today (Oct. 29) of the carrier’s plans for a major expansion at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

That expansion of service includes new transborder routes to four major U.S. cities and increased daily flights to Montréal and Ottawa.

Beginning in Spring 2026, Air Canada will launch new, non-stop return service four-times-daily to New York’s LaGuardia Airport, three-times-daily to Boston Logan International Airport, twice-daily to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, and daily to Washington Dulles International Airport.

The start of transborder services from Billy Bishop will follow the opening of U.S. Customs Pre-Clearance at the island airport, a convenience for customers flying to U.S. airports from Canada that allows them to clear U.S. customs before departure.

In addition, beginning in January 2026, Air Canada will expand its daily services in Canada’s busiest domestic travel corridors by increasing the frequency of return flights to Montréal to nine from eight, and to six from four to Ottawa.

Air Canada said that the new services, with frequencies favourable to business travel, further heighten the customer experience at Billy Bishop airport, including the introduction this month of fast, free onboard Wi-Fi, complimentary onboard premium snacks, beer and wine, and exclusive access to the Aspire Air Canada Café for eligible domestic customers.

In announcing the expansion, Galardo said: “The new transborder routes will especially benefit our loyal customers and business travellers by creating frequent and easy connections between the heart of Canada’s financial capital and the major markets of New York, Boston, Washington and Chicago.”

Galardo continued: “Moreover, we are increasing at the island the daily frequency of return flights from Toronto to Montréal and Ottawa, which are Canada’s most heavily travelled corridors for business traffic.”

He said that the new services “reflect Air Canada’s commitment to further elevate the customer experience at Billy Bishop Airport,” and continued: “Our flights are the only ones from Toronto Island to offer travellers the productivity tool of fast, free in-flight Wi-Fi and the comforts of the Aspire Air Canada Café, a quiet space for eligible domestic customers to work or recharge prior to their flight. All customers can also enjoy complimentary premium snacks, beer and wine that we offer on board.”

He also pointed out that: “Our expanded services at the island complement our already extensive services from Toronto Pearson where we will operate more than 600 return flights a day to 124 destinations next summer. This expansion ensures the Greater Toronto Area and beyond are highly connected for business and leisure travel, making Air Canada the preferred choice for travel to and from the GTA.”

All flights are operated as Air Canada Express, by Air Canada’s regional partner Jazz Aviation LP, using a 78-seat, De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft.

A full cabin redesign will soon be commenced on 25 De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft operated for Air Canada Express by Jazz.

Twenty-five Dash 8-400 operated for Air Canada Express by Jazz will be equipped with next generation, well-padded, ergonomic reclining seats from Expliseat. The seats will feature new branding and design language expressed through the seat’s dress cover. All seats will include a seatback multi-use device holder for tablets and phones, as well as a table tray.

The installation of the new seating has an expected completion date for the program in mid-2026. Each aircraft will have 78 seats, and pitch will be unchanged.

The cabins of these same 25 Dash 8-400s will be upgraded to a new standard reflective of Air Canada ’s mainline aircraft interiors. The design incorporates colors, textures and tones of those found in Canadian nature, reinforcing Air Canada’s pride in being the nation’s flag carrier.

Go to www.aircanada.com for more.