TORONTO — It will soon be even easier for residents of Ottawa to reach some of Florida’s finest beaches with the introduction of a new nonstop flight commencing Dec. 18, 2014, which will connect the capital with this popular west coast Florida destination in 3½ hours.

Departing Thursdays, the weekly service will be operated on state-of-the-art Boeing 737-800 series aircraft that seat 189 passengers.

The addition of the new route this winter will make Ottawa the third Canadian city to benefit from a nonstop service to the region after Toronto and Halifax.

Both St. Petersburg and Clearwater frequently make it into the top 10 best beaches list compiled by Dr. Beach, America’s foremost beach expert.

To celebrate the launch of the new route, Sunwing Vacations is extending an introductory offer whereby customers who book two flight seats for travel to St. Pete/Clearwater between Sept. 10-19, 2014 from Ottawa, Toronto or Halifax for travel between Nov. 3, 2014 and May 13, 2015 can benefit from a 40% discount on the second seat.

A one-week vacation package to St. Pete/Clearwater starts from $595 plus $325 taxes per person based on two people departing from Ottawa on Jan. 8, 15 or 22 and sharing a room on a European plan basis at the Sirata Beach Resort & Conference Center. A mid-size Alamo rental car is also included.