Air Canada has unveiled plans to expand its transborder network for Summer 2026, adding three new seasonal routes connecting Canadian hubs with U.S. destinations. The airline will launch service from Toronto to San Antonio, connecting Montreal with both Cleveland and Columbus, and boosting its overall transborder capacity by 15% compared to Summer 2025.
These new routes, which will operate from May through October 2026, are now available for booking through Air Canada’s website, contact centers, and travel agents.
Air Canada is adding three new seasonal transborder routes to its network:
This route marks Air Canada’s return to San Antonio after previously serving the Texas city until 2020.
While Air Canada already serves Cleveland from Toronto, this new route adds direct connectivity to Montreal.
Similar to Cleveland, Columbus is already served from Toronto but will now gain direct service to Montreal as well.
This expansion comes at an interesting time for U.S.-Canada air travel. Data from the U.S. International Trade Administration shows that the number of Canadians arriving in the U.S. by air was down 11% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
However, Air Canada’s strategy appears focused less on Canadian leisure travelers and more on:
The airline plans to boost its overall transborder capacity by 15% in Summer 2026 compared to Summer 2025, bringing it in line with Summer 2024 levels.
These new transborder routes complement Air Canada’s previously announced long-haul expansion for 2026, which includes:
The three new routes target markets with specific characteristics:
All three cities align with Air Canada’s strategy of targeting “unaligned markets” – mid-sized U.S. cities without a single dominant hub airline – where the carrier believes it can effectively compete while feeding its global network.
These new routes are now available for booking through:
As these are seasonal routes operating from May through October 2026, travelers planning trips during this period can now secure their seats well in advance.
Air Canada’s announcement of three new transborder routes for Summer 2026 represents a strategic expansion focused on connecting midsize U.S. markets to its global network via Canadian hubs. Despite recent declines in Canadian leisure travel to the U.S., the airline appears to be positioning itself to capture American travelers looking for convenient connections to international destinations.
The new routes to San Antonio, Cleveland, and Columbus complement Air Canada’s broader international expansion for 2026, which includes new and resumed service to European and Asian destinations. This network growth aligns with the carrier’s stated strategy of targeting “unaligned markets” where it believes it has a competitive advantage.
For travelers in these markets, the new routes offer improved connectivity and potentially more competitive options for both direct travel to Canada and one-stop service to global destinations via Air Canada’s extensive international network.
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