Air Canada Announces New Transborder Routes from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

Air Canada has announced four new transborder routes to connect Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in downtown Toronto with major travel hubs in the US.

These routes, set to launch between March and July 2026, mark the most significant expansion by Air Canada at this airport since it began service there approximately 35 years ago.

New transborder Air Canada routes from Billy Bishop 2026

New Route Details

In 2026, Air Canada will begin service on four new routes from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, with the first launching in March. These routes complement additional new routes announced for 2026 between Toronto, Montreal, and major cities in US.

All four of the new routes from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport will be serviced by Air Canada’s fleet of De Havilland Dash 8-400s (Q400s), and passengers can expect to enjoy complimentary beer, wine, and snacks as part of the airline’s expanded offerings.

The new routes are as follows:

Toronto (YTZ) to Boston (BOS)

Aircraft: De Havilland Dash 8-400
Frequency: 3x daily
Start date: July 1, 2026
End date: N/A
Flight times:
- AC8542: Toronto 07:15 → Boston 08:44
- AC8541: Boston 9:35 → Toronto 11:29
- AC8544: Toronto 12:25 → Boston 13:54
- AC8543: Boston 14:45 → Toronto 16:39
- AC8546: Toronto 17:20 → Boston 18:49
- AC8545: Boston 19:40 → Toronto 21:34

Toronto (YTZ) to Chicago (ORD)

Aircraft: De Havilland Dash 8-400
Frequency: 2x daily
Start date: June 1, 2026
End date: N/A
Flight times:
- AC8547: Toronto 12:15 → Chicago 13:10
- AC8548: Chicago 7:25 → Toronto 10:06
- AC8549: Toronto 19:20 → Chicago 20:16
- AC8550: Chicago 14:00 → Toronto 16:41

Toronto (YTZ) to New York (LGA)

Aircraft: De Havilland Dash 8-400
Frequency: 4x daily
Start date: March 29, 2026
End date: N/A
Flight times:
- AC8532: Toronto 7:25 → New York 8:46
- AC8531: New York 7:55 → Toronto 9:34
- AC8534: Toronto 10:45 → New York 12:06
- AC8533: New York 10:00 → Toronto 11:39
- AC8536: Toronto 14:20 → New York 15:41
- AC8535: New York 12:55 → Toronto 14:34
- AC8538: Toronto 18:10 → New York 17:31
- AC8537: New York 18:30 → Toronto 20:09

Toronto (YTZ) to Washington (IAD)

Aircraft: De Havilland Dash 8-400
Frequency: 1x daily
Start date: June 1, 2026
End date: N/A
Flight times:
- AC8540: Toronto 14:55 → Washington 16:12
- AC8539: Washington 17:15 → Toronto 18:42

Booking

The four new routes are available to book through the following channels:

Air Canada’s website and customer service
Aeroplan’s travel portal
Third-party booking portals like Expedia
Travel agents

When booking, don’t forget to choose the right credit card to maximize the number of Aeroplan or other rewards points that you earn. Also remember that choosing the right Aeroplan credit card can provide you with perks like free checked bags, travel insurance, airport lounge access, and more.

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New US Pre-Clearance Facility

The four new routes will take flight following the opening of a new US Pre-Clearance facility at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

US Pre-Clearance facilities allows passengers to process through the US immigration and customs procedures prior to departing from Canada, streamlining their arrival into the United States.

The new facility, having been in the works for the past few years, will now make transborder travel from this hub easier than ever, complementing the airport’s accessibility and convenient downtown Toronto location.

Increased Service to Montreal and Ottawa

In addition to the new transborder routes, Air Canada will also increase the number of daily flights to both Montreal and Ottawa from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

The service from Toronto (YTZ) to Montreal (YUL) will increase by one, offering passengers nine return flights daily.

Air Canada will increase the frequency of the service between Toronto (YTZ) and Ottawa (YOW) from five daily return trips to six.

These additional flights support what is already Canada’s busiest corridors in terms of business travel, allowing for more convenient connections between Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and important travel hubs in the US.

Bottom Line

Air Canada is set to begin service in 2026 on four new transborder routes from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

Flights between Toronto’s downtown airport and New York, Chicago, Boston, and Washington will begin as early as March 2026 with up to 4x daily return flights.

This expansion is set to launch following the opening of the new US Pre-Clearance facility at the airport and will coincide with an increase in flight frequency between the downtown travel hub and airports in Montreal and Ottawa.

These new routes improve connectivity between popular travel hubs across the Eastern and Midwest US and further connect the US to Air Canada’s extensive international network.

Frequently Asked Questions

What new routes has Air Canada announced for 2026 from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport?

In 2026, Air Canada is adding four new daily routes between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and New York (LGA), Chicago (ORD), Washington (IAD), and Boston (BOS).

Is there US Pre-Clearance at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport?

A US Pre-Clearance facility is scheduled to open at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in early 2026 allowing passengers heading to the US to go through the customs and immigrations procedure prior to boarding their flight.

Is there an Air Canada lounge at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport?

Yes, there is the Aspire Air Canada Café lounge at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. This lounge is accessible to Aeroplan members with 50k status or higher, travelers with eligible premium tickets, and those with eligible premium credit cards.

Where is Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport?

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is located at 2 Eireann Quay in downtown Toronto. The airport is located at the west end of the Toronto Islands and can be accessed from the city-side via an underground (and underwater!) walkway or by taking one of the world’s shortest ferry trips.

Is there a free shuttle to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport?

Yes, there is a free shuttle between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Toronto’s Union Station, providing easy connections to the city’s transit system and regional trains.