Low-cost carrier Flair Airlines is set to launch two new daily services between Montreal and Florida later this year, bringing some winter sun to Canadian holidaymakers.
Florida getaways
Launching October 29, the service will connect Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) with Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Orlando-Sanford Airport (SFB) daily, providing flexibility for tourists looking for a short break to The Sunshine State.
Flair Airlines will directly compete with flag carrier Air Canada and its leisure subsidiary Air Canada Rouge and Air Transat on both routes; however, the budget carrier is betting on its low-cost fares winning tourists over. One-way fares will begin at C$109 ($80) for Montreal-Fort Lauderdale and C$119 ($88) for Montreal-Orlando inclusive of fees and taxes, while return services are offered from C$49 ($36) and C$39 ($29) for Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, respectively.
Flair Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Garth Lund explained,
“Florida is incredibly popular for Montrealers, but historically the fares have been very high. Our Florida routes have proven popular across our network and so it’s a natural fit to offer service from Montreal.”
Services will be operated by Flair Airlines' fleet of Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets, configured in an all-economy layout. The carrier currently operates 16 of the 737 MAX, though it will increase its capacity over the next several months with the delivery of nine more of the type, supplied by investors 777 Partners.
Major additions to the schedule include Toronto (YYZ) to Fort Lauderdale, which will see two daily services, Toronto to Cancun (CUN) with ten weekly flights, and Vancouver (YVR) to Puerto Vallarta nine times per week. Flair Airlines will also run daily flights between Vancouver and Los Angeles (LAX), Toronto and Orlando, and Calgary and Las Vegas (LAS).
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While international demand remains high, the carrier will also strengthen its domestic network, with over half its services operating at least once daily.
"With today's exciting announcement, we are reaffirming our commitment to Canadians," added Stephen Jones, Flair Airlines' President and Chief Executive Officer.
"Our network offers more choice to more sun destinations than ever before. Rather than one reprieve from winter, we look forward to Canadians taking the opportunity to try all of the amazing destinations in our network."
In line with the carrier's commitment to low-cost air travel, tickets for its winter schedule will begin at just C$9 ($6.60), with the ultra-low fare offered on the carrier's four-weekly service between Toronto and Thunder Bay (YQT).