Air Canada to launch U.S. flights from Toronto Island airport, challenging Porter

Air Canada is going head-to-head with Porter Airlines, announcing plans to launch transborder flights out of Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport starting next spring.

The airline says it will offer non-stop return service between the island airport and four major U.S. cities — New York, Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C. — for a total of 10 daily return flights.

Service to New York’s LaGuardia Airport begins March 29, 2026, followed by Chicago O’Hare and Washington Dulles on June 1, and Boston Logan on July 1.

The move marks Air Canada’s most significant expansion at the downtown airport in more than three decades. The new routes will launch after the opening of U.S. Customs Pre-Clearance at Billy Bishop, allowing travellers to clear American customs before departure.

Air Canada also plans to boost domestic service from the airport beginning in January, with increased daily return flights to Montréal and Ottawa.

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“This is our most significant expansion at Toronto Island since Air Canada first served the airport 35 years ago,” said Mark Galardo, Air Canada’s executive vice-president and chief commercial officer. “The new transborder routes will especially benefit our loyal customers and business travellers by creating frequent and easy connections between the heart of Canada’s financial capital and major U.S. markets.”

Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said Toronto is a key hub for travel and this critical expansion at Billy Bishop Airport will provide more options for Ontarians and improve the customer experience.”

While federal Transport Minister Steve MacKinnon said “We’re strengthening regional and cross-border connectivity. These additions will make travel more convenient, help connect families across distances, support business growth, and enhance service quality for Canadian travellers.”

PortsToronto, which owns and operates Billy Bishop Airport, also welcomed the expansion, calling it a milestone that enhances “connectivity, convenience and choice for travellers.”

Air Canada’s announcement sets up renewed competition with Porter Airlines, which currently dominates service at the downtown Toronto airport.

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