TORONTO — Air Transat is celebrating 38 years in the skies with the announcement of two new nonstop routes from Montreal: Dakar, Senegal and Reykjavik, Iceland.
The news comes on the heels of four other recently announced international routes from both Toronto and Montreal: Medellín, Colombia; Istanbul, Turkey; Georgetown, Guyana; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The airline is also responding to strong demand for Valencia, Spain, increasing frequencies on the Montreal route.
All new and expanded routes were officially welcomed last night, Nov. 13, at a celebratory event in Toronto. Said Bernard Côté, Senior Director of Brand Communications at Transat: “This expansion is part of our broader strategy to diversify our network and offer more for our travellers. We’re proudly reinforcing our commitment to the Greater Toronto Area and marking an exciting milestone in our continued growth out of Toronto Pearson.”
DAKAR, REYKJAVIK & VALENCIA
Service from Montreal to Dakar will run from June 17 to Oct. 21, 2026, with two flights per week on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Transat says the route is designed to meet strong demand from the Senegalese community in Quebec while supporting growth in cultural and beach tourism.
With the launch of flights to Dakar’s Blaise Diagne International Airport, Air Transat will become the only Canadian airline to offer direct service to Sub-Saharan Africa.
Reykjavik is also joining the program for summer 2026. The Iceland route from Montreal begins June 16 and operates until Sept. 27 with up to two flights weekly on Tuesdays and Sundays. The schedule gives travellers access to Iceland’s well-known landscapes, hot springs and outdoor adventure offerings.
“We’ve been flying for nearly four decades, connecting Canada to the world – and now even Africa,” said Côté. “From day one, bold, inaugural routes have been part of our DNA. And trust me, we’re just getting started.”
In response to growing demand, Air Transat will also be increasing frequencies on the Montreal route to Valencia, Spain, between June 16 and Sept. 8, 2026. The carrier will operate twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays during this peak period. This increase reflects the growing popularity of this Mediterranean destination, which was introduced to Air Transat’s schedule last summer.
BUILDING BRIDGES
Each of the new destinations brings a unique experience to Canadian travellers. From the cobblestone alleys of Istanbul to the vibrant streets of Medellín, the offerings are curated to appeal to both adventurers and those seeking to reconnect with their cultural roots.
Côté emphasized the importance of building bridges through travel. “We see ourselves as more than just an airline. We like to say that we create bridges – between people, places, cultures and moments that matter.”
The Rio de Janeiro launch is particularly well-timed, arriving just weeks before the start of Brazil’s world-famous Carnival. With three weekly flights planned, the service will give Canadians direct access to one of the world’s most iconic cultural celebrations.
The previously announced new routes are as follows:
- Toronto–Medellín, Colombia, via Cartagena: Launched Nov. 1, twice-weekly, year-round
- Toronto–Istanbul: Starting Dec. 16, 2025, twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays
- Toronto–Georgetown, Guyana: Operating from Dec. 16, 2025, through April 24, 2026, twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays
- Toronto–Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Starting Feb. 4, 2026, twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Montreal–Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Starting Feb. 5, 2026, one flight per week on Thursdays
A LASTING LEGACY
The new routes follow a year of accolades for the airline. In June, Air Transat was named World’s Best Leisure Airline by Skytrax for the seventh time, an achievement that underscores its dedication to service excellence.
“Seven times is not luck – seven times is a legacy,” said Côté. “Flying Air Transat means flying with a human-scale airline you can rely on, whether you’re in economy or Club Class.”
The airline also praised its destination partners for their collaboration in making the new routes possible, including tourism boards and airport authorities in Colombia, Brazil, Guyana, Senegal, Iceland and Turkey.
Air Transat has already confirmed more than 45 international destinations for summer 2026, with further additions expected.
Dakar, Senegal
