Air Canada and United Airlines have announced that they will add 6 new direct flight routes between Canada and the United States before the summer travel season of 2027.

The two companies announced this expansion plan on October 16th, stating that they will introduce new destinations, increase flight frequencies, and at the same time strengthen existing partnerships.

Air Canada and United Airlines add six new direct flight routes

Air Canada will add three new direct flight routes, connecting Toronto to Louisville, Montreal to Indianapolis, and Edmonton to Newark. The Toronto to Louisville route will commence on April 28, 2027, with initial flights operating a few times per week, and from May, it will increase to daily flights.

The Montreal to Indianapolis route will begin operations on June 1st and will operate daily until September 30th. Meanwhile, the Edmonton to Newark route will also be launched on June 1st, with plans for four flights per week, continuing until October 17th.

The newly added route from Edmonton to Newark will provide passengers with a direct connection to the New York metropolitan area, and they will also have more international connecting flight options through United Airlines' hub in Newark.

United Airlines is also expanding its network in Canada, with three new routes to be added, including a seasonal flight from Newark to St. John's in Newfoundland and Labrador. This means that a route that had been discontinued for over a decade will be reinstated. The airline will also launch flights from Denver to Ottawa and Quebec City.

In addition to the aforementioned new routes, United Airlines also plans to increase the frequency of flights between Washington, D.C. and Quebec City, and will boost the daily seating capacity on flights from Denver to Winnipeg by 65%.

Air Canada will also use larger Airbus A220 models to operate flights on the route from Edmonton to San Francisco, in order to accommodate more passengers.

Airlines seek approval to expand their cooperation

On the occasion of the release of this flight route announcement, the two companies also plan to renew and expand their cross-border joint business agreement ( Transborder Joint Business Agreement ). This agreement has been in effect since 2022. Under the current arrangements, the two companies coordinate schedules, pricing, and commercial activities on certain Canada-US flight routes.

Since the cooperation began, the two companies have launched 20 new routes and jointly transported over 4.3 million passengers. Their joint network also supports more than 1,200 connecting flights.

However, this proposed expansion still requires regulatory approval. The Canadian Transportation Ministry confirmed that it is reviewing the arrangement to assess its potential impact on competition, consumers, and the broader Canadian economy. Public consultation will remain open until November 15, 2026.

For travelers, these new routes may bring shorter journeys, more convenient connections, and more travel options between major cities in Canada and the United States.