Air Canada’s Winter Game-Changer: Direct Flights to Rio, Santiago & 11 More Routes

Air Canada just dropped some seriously exciting news for Canadian travelers craving warm-weather escapes. The airline is launching 13 new routes this winter, including long-awaited direct service to South America and much-needed Caribbean connections from regional airports across Canada.

This isn’t just another route announcement – it’s Air Canada’s most extensive seasonal expansion ever for Latin America and the Caribbean, with 16% more capacity than last winter. Here’s what Canadian Jetsetters need to know.

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South America Finally Goes Direct

The headline news? Canadians can finally fly direct to Rio de Janeiro and Santiago – two destinations that have been at the top of wish lists for years.

Starting December 4th, Toronto to Rio operates three times weekly on 787 Dreamliners. The timing works perfectly too: evening departures from Toronto arrive in Rio late morning, giving you a full afternoon to hit Copacabana Beach or explore the vibrant neighborhoods.

Montreal to Santiago launches December 16th, also with tri-weekly service. Chile’s capital serves as the perfect gateway to the country’s world-renowned wine regions, and with direct flights, you can be touring the Maipo Valley within hours of landing.

Both airlines are also adding Cartagena, Colombia to their networks – a colonial gem that’s become increasingly popular with Canadian travellers seeking authentic South American culture without the chaos of larger cities.

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Regional Canada Gets Caribbean Access

Perhaps the most practical news for many Canadians: you no longer need to route everything through Toronto for your winter beach fix.

Ottawa gains direct Caribbean service for the first time, with weekly flights to both Nassau and Montego Bay starting in December.

Halifax travellers get the same treatment with new direct flights to Nassau and Montego Bay.

Quebec City adds Fort-de-France, Martinique to its growing international roster. This French Caribbean destination is perfect for travelers who want tropical beaches with European flair.

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Mexico and Central America Expansion

Air Canada is diversifying its Mexico offerings beyond the usual suspects. Toronto to Guadalajara starting in November opens up authentic Mexican culture. Think world-class tequila, incredible street food, and mariachi music without the resort crowds.

Montreal to Guatemala City (starting October 2nd) provides direct access to Central America’s colonial architecture and proximity to incredible Mayan ruins at Tikal.

Vancouver gains Huatulco, Mexico’s Pacific Coast gem with nine pristine bays and significantly fewer crowds than Puerto Vallarta or Cancún.

Toronto also adds Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe – technically part of France.

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Strategic Timing and Smart Routes

What makes this expansion particularly smart is the timing. All routes operate during peak Canadian winter travel season, when demand for warm-weather destinations is highest. Air Canada isn’t experimenting with random routes – these are destinations with proven Canadian demand.

The South America routes especially make sense given Canada’s large Brazilian and Chilean communities, plus growing tourism interest in wine regions and adventure travel.

For the Caribbean routes from regional airports, Air Canada is acknowledging what WestJet figured out years ago – Canadians will pay a premium for convenience, especially when it saves them connection hassles during peak travel periods.

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Capacity Increases on Popular Routes

Beyond new destinations, Air Canada is boosting frequencies on routes Canadians already love:

• Toronto-Nassau jumps to 12 weekly flights (adding 5)
• Toronto-Montego Bay increases to 10 weekly (adding 3)
• Toronto-Los Cabos goes daily (adding 2 flights)
• Montreal-Punta Cana becomes triple-daily service

These increases suggest strong demand recovery and Air Canada’s confidence in leisure travel spending.

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What This Means for Travellers

More Options: Canadians now have direct access to destinations that previously required lengthy connections through the U.S. or other hubs.

Regional Convenience: Travelers in Ottawa, Halifax, and Quebec City can skip the Toronto connection for Caribbean destinations.

Competitive Pressure: These routes put Air Canada in direct competition with U.S. carriers, which should benefit pricing and service levels long-term.

Winter Planning: With routes launching between October 2025 and December 2025, there’s time to plan winter escapes around these new options.

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Booking Strategy

All routes are available for booking now, but consider timing your purchase strategically. New international routes often see promotional pricing within their first few months, especially during slower booking periods in September and October.

For the South America routes, demand will likely be strong given the novelty factor, but Air Canada may offer launch specials to build awareness. The regional Caribbean routes will probably fill quickly during peak winter periods due to limited frequencies.

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The Bigger Picture

This expansion represents Air Canada’s most significant winter route network ever for Latin America and the Caribbean. It signals the airline’s confidence in leisure travel recovery and recognition that Canadian travellers want more direct options to warm-weather destinations.

More importantly, it shows Air Canada building a network that actually serves Canadian travelers across the country, not just those within driving distance of Toronto.

Whether you’re dreaming of samba dancing in Rio, wine tasting in Chilean valleys, or simply lounging on Caribbean beaches without connection stress, this winter offers more direct options than ever before.

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All new routes are bookable now via Air Canada’s website. Seasonal routes operate from late 2025 through April 2026, with some starting as early as October.