Air Transat is making it easier for Canadians to reach Europe without connecting through another airport. The Montreal-based airline announced five new nonstop transatlantic routes on October 29, 2026, expanding its summer 2027 schedule with additional destinations in Spain, France, Switzerland, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
The expansion includes new flights from Quebec City to Barcelona and Lyon, Toronto to Birmingham, and Montreal to Geneva and Faro. Services are scheduled to operate between June and October 2027, with frequencies varying by destination.
For Canadian travellers, the announcement represents more than additional vacation choices. It strengthens international connections from regional airports, creates new opportunities for European tourism and gives travellers more flexibility when planning trips across the Atlantic.
Quebec City–Barcelona Opens a New Nonstop Connection to Spain
Quebec City travellers will gain their first nonstop air connection to Spain when Air Transat launches service to Barcelona on June 14, 2027. The route will operate once weekly on Mondays through October 25, connecting Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport directly with one of Europe’s most popular Mediterranean destinations. Previously, travellers looking to reach Barcelona from Quebec City generally needed to arrange connecting flights through another airport. The new service eliminates that requirement for passengers travelling on the scheduled departure day, simplifying vacations and reducing the uncertainty associated with transfers. For families organizing summer holidays or couples planning a long-awaited European getaway, being able to begin the journey closer to home could make a meaningful difference.
Barcelona offers a combination of cultural attractions, historic neighbourhoods and Mediterranean beaches. Visitors can explore Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, wander through the medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter or experience the city’s food markets and waterfront. The route also provides a potential starting point for longer trips through Catalonia and other parts of Spain. However, the once-weekly schedule creates an important consideration for vacation planning. Travellers seeking shorter stays or unusual return dates may still need connecting flights, while those planning one- or two-week vacations could find the service more convenient. The addition is particularly significant for Quebec City because it expands Air Transat’s planned nonstop European network from the airport to five destinations, alongside Paris, Marseille, Nantes and Lyon.
Toronto–Birmingham Gives Canadians Another Gateway to England
Air Transat is adding Birmingham to its European network with a new nonstop connection from Toronto Pearson International Airport. The service is scheduled to begin June 22, 2027, operating twice weekly from Toronto on Tuesdays and Fridays through October 22. Return departures from Birmingham are scheduled for Wednesdays and Saturdays, reflecting the overnight transatlantic journey. Air Transat plans to operate the route using Airbus A321LR aircraft. Birmingham Airport estimates that approximately 10,000 passengers travelled indirectly between Birmingham and Toronto in 2025, suggesting an existing market for a nonstop connection. The new flights could appeal to passengers visiting relatives, travelling for work or attending university, as well as Canadians planning leisure trips beyond London’s traditional tourist attractions.
Birmingham provides access to the English Midlands, a region known for its industrial heritage, cultural diversity and historic towns. Visitors can explore the city’s Jewellery Quarter, walk along its revitalized canals or discover a restaurant scene influenced by communities from around the world. The airport also offers a convenient gateway for trips to Stratford-upon-Avon, associated with William Shakespeare, and the Cotswolds, known for their picturesque villages and countryside. For Canadians with family connections in central England, arriving in Birmingham may eliminate the need to travel from London or Manchester after landing. The twice-weekly schedule also provides more departure options than some of Air Transat’s other newly announced European routes, although travellers will still need to plan around specific operating days.
Quebec City–Lyon Creates Another Direct Link Between Quebec and France
Quebec City’s second new European connection will bring nonstop flights to Lyon, one of France’s most historically significant cities. Air Transat plans to launch the route on June 8, 2027, with weekly Tuesday departures continuing through October 26. The addition expands travel options beyond established French gateways such as Paris and Marseille, allowing passengers to arrive directly in southeastern France. This could be particularly attractive to Quebecers planning extended European vacations, visiting family or exploring destinations outside the traditional Paris tourist circuit. For passengers who previously needed to connect through another airport to reach Lyon, the service offers a simpler journey with fewer moving parts. It also strengthens Quebec City’s position as an international departure point rather than simply a starting location for connecting flights.
Lyon’s appeal extends well beyond its airport. Located where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, the city has approximately 500 hectares of UNESCO-listed historic areas and an internationally recognized culinary tradition. Visitors can explore the Renaissance architecture of Vieux Lyon, discover the city’s historic passageways known as traboules, or experience traditional restaurants called bouchons. The Croix-Rousse district also preserves connections to Lyon’s silk-manufacturing history. These attractions make the city an appealing destination for travellers interested in French history, food and culture. Lyon’s extensive rail connections provide opportunities to explore other parts of France, potentially making it a convenient starting point for longer journeys. As with the Barcelona service, the once-weekly flight schedule means passengers will need to coordinate their travel dates carefully, particularly when planning shorter vacations or multi-city trips.
Montreal–Geneva Opens a New Swiss Destination for Summer Travellers
Montreal travellers will gain a new nonstop connection to Switzerland when Air Transat launches service to Geneva on June 19, 2027. The route is scheduled to operate twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, through October 23. Unlike the new services to Lyon, Barcelona and Faro, Geneva represents an entirely new destination in Air Transat’s European network. Its addition broadens the airline’s appeal beyond traditional vacation markets, offering access to a major international centre for diplomacy, business, research and education. According to the United Nations, Geneva is home to approximately 40 international organizations and 180 permanent diplomatic missions. That concentration of institutions creates a distinctive travel market alongside tourism, although the airline has not disclosed projected passenger demand for the route.
For leisure travellers, Geneva offers an attractive combination of urban culture, lakeside scenery and nearby mountains. The city sits along Lake Geneva and is known for the Jet d’Eau, a fountain that rises approximately 140 metres above the water. Its historic Old Town, St. Peter’s Cathedral and museums provide plenty of opportunities for cultural exploration, while visitors interested in science can discover attractions associated with CERN. Geneva can also serve as a starting point for excursions into the surrounding Alpine region, including nearby areas of France. The twice-weekly schedule offers greater flexibility than the single weekly departures planned for several other routes, making different lengths of stay more practical. For Air Transat, Geneva adds a destination with potential appeal across leisure, educational and international travel markets, helping diversify its European network.
Montreal–Faro Expands Nonstop Access to Portugal’s Algarve Coast
Air Transat is strengthening its connections to Portugal by introducing nonstop flights between Montreal and Faro, beginning June 14, 2027. The service will operate once weekly on Mondays through October 25, giving Montreal travellers direct access to the Algarve region in southern Portugal. Faro is not an entirely new destination for Air Transat, which already serves the city from Toronto. However, the Montreal route represents an important expansion, making Faro the airline’s third Portuguese airport served from Montreal, alongside Lisbon and Porto. The new connection offers another option for vacationers whose main destination is southern Portugal, potentially avoiding the need to connect through another airport or arrange a longer journey overland from Lisbon. For travellers planning beach holidays or extended stays along the Algarve coast, the convenience of arriving directly in the region could be a major attraction.
Faro also offers considerably more than access to coastal resorts. The city has been the Algarve’s capital since 1756 and features a historic old town, traditional architecture, waterfront promenades and local restaurants specializing in seafood. Nearby Ria Formosa Natural Park contains lagoons, marshlands, channels and barrier islands that provide habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife. Visitors can explore the natural surroundings, take boat trips or spend time on the area’s island beaches. These experiences make Faro appealing to travellers seeking a combination of relaxation, outdoor activities and Portuguese culture. The Monday-only schedule will require advance planning, particularly for those whose vacations do not fit a standard week-long itinerary. Nevertheless, the route gives Montreal passengers another direct European option while reinforcing Air Transat’s emphasis on expanding service to destinations it already knows.
