Air Canada is expanding its footprint at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) with the launch of flights to the United States. This is a move directed at Porter Airlines, which has operated transborder flights from the close in airport for years.
Air Canada Will Fly to Four U.S. Destinations from Toronto City Airport
Beginning Spring 2026, Air Canada will launch new, nonstop service from Toronto City Airport to New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Flights will operate on the following frequencies:
- 4x daily service to New York LaGuardia (LGA) begins March 29, 2026
- 3x daily service to Boston (BOS) begins July 1, 2026
- 2x daily service to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) begins June 1, 2026
- 1x daily service to Washington Dulles (IAD) begins June 1, 2026
The launch of transborder service will follow the opening of a U.S. Customs Pre-Clearance facility at the airport, which will allow passengers to clear U.S. Customs prior to departure and arrive in the United States as a domestic passenger. This should facilitate easy connections to Air Canada’s Star Alliance partner, United Airlines.
Mark Galardo, Air Canada Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President of Cargo, said this about the new service:
“This is our most significant expansion at Toronto Island since Air Canada first served the airport 35 years ago. The new transborder routes will especially benefit our loyal customers and business travelers 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.”
RJ Steenstra, President & CEO of PortsToronto, which owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, added:
“We are delighted to welcome Air Canada’s expanded routes at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport – a milestone that underscores our shared commitment to enhancing connectivity, convenience, and choice for travelers. This expansion of routes not only continues to strengthen Toronto as a place for business and leisure, but also reflects confidence in Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport’s role as a gateway to the future of passenger-centric urban air travel. We look forward to working with Air Canada to help shape the next chapter of growth and innovation for the airport and the city and region we proudly serve.”
In addition to the new transborder routes, Air Canada will increase service from Toronto City Airport to Montreal (YUL) and Ottawa (YOW). All flights are operated as Air Canada Express, by Air Canada’s regional partner Jazz Aviation LP, using 78-seat, De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft.
Summary
Air Canada is launching transborder flights from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to four destinations in the United States. These flights will follow the opening of a U.S. Customs Pre-Clearance facility at the airport, allowing travelers to arrive as domestic passengers.
(Images courtesy Air Canada)