Air Transat to Land in Brazil: Announces Non-Stop Flights to Rio de Janeiro from Toronto and Montreal
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Air Transat has unveiled an ambitious network expansion for the 2025-2026 winter season, highlighted by the launch of a new non-stop service to Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Brazil, from its two main Canadian hubs.
Starting February 4, 2026, the airline will operate two weekly flights (Wednesdays and Saturdays) between Toronto (YYZ) and Rio de Janeiro. A day later, on February 5, 2026, it will launch a weekly frequency (Thursdays) from Montreal (YUL), positioning itself as the only carrier to offer a direct connection on this route. Both services will be operated with wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft.
This entry into the Brazilian market is the centerpiece of a winter program that includes the addition of a total of 14 new routes and a capacity increase of approximately 6% compared to the previous winter.
Sebastian Ponce, Transat's Chief Revenue Officer, stated that "this enriched winter schedule marks an important milestone in the evolution of our network." He added that "by targeting markets we have never served before, we are pursuing a clear diversification strategy toward destinations that Canadians are eager to explore, supported by growing connectivity through our expanding network of partners."
Key Facts on Air Transat's New Flights
When do Air Transat's flights to Rio de Janeiro begin? Flights from Toronto start on February 4, 2026, and from Montreal on February 5, 2026.
Which airlines fly direct from Canada to Brazil? Air Canada operates to São Paulo (GRU). With this addition, Air Transat will offer the only direct service to Rio de Janeiro (GIG) from Montreal.
What aircraft will Air Transat use on the Rio route? The route will be operated with Airbus A330 aircraft.
Is Air Transat adding other South American destinations? Yes, the winter program also includes new flights to Medellín (MDE), Colombia, and Georgetown (GEO), Guyana.
The expansion underscores a strategic move beyond its traditional markets. From Montreal, the airline will also add services to Guadalajara (GDL), Mexico, and will extend its summer operations into the winter for Madrid (MAD), Valencia (VLC), and Bordeaux (BOD) in Europe.
From Toronto, in addition to Rio, new routes include Georgetown (GEO), a market with strong VFR and business demand, and Medellín (MDE) via Cartagena. Also notable is a new service to Istanbul (IST), which will be operated in partnership with Turkish Airlines.
The program also strengthens connectivity from other Canadian cities. Flights will be launched from Windsor (YQG) to Punta Cana, and from Fredericton (YFC) and Charlottetown (YYG) to Cancun, demonstrating the goal of capturing demand in regional markets.
The airline, which according to Skytrax was voted the "World's Best Leisure Airline" in 2025, will also increase frequencies on several existing routes to the Caribbean and Europe, such as Punta Cana and Holguin from Montreal, and Lyon and Marseille from the same origin.
The viability of this expansion is supported by the growing complementarity with Porter Airlines' flights, which facilitate connections from various points in Canada to Air Transat's hubs in Toronto and Montreal.
New for Winter 2025-2026
Route | Details* |
Toronto (YYZ) – Rio de Janeiro (GIG) | 2 flights/week, starting February 4, 2026 |
Toronto (YYZ) – Istanbul (IST) | 2 flights/week, starting December 6, 2025 |
Toronto (YYZ) – Georgetown (GEO) | 2 flights/week, starting December 16, 2025 |
Toronto (YYZ) – Medellín (MDE) via Cartagena (CTG) | 2 flights/week, starting November 1, 2025 |
Montreal (YUL) – Rio de Janeiro (GIG) | 1 flight/week, starting February 5, 2026 |
Montreal (YUL) – Guadalajara (GDL) | 2 flights/week, starting December 13, 2025 |
Montreal (YUL) – Bordeaux (BOD) | 1 flight/week, starting February 21, 2026 |
Montreal (YUL) – Madrid (MAD) | 2 flights/week, starting February 18, 2026 |
Montreal (YUL) – Valencia (VLC) | 1 flight/week, starting February 21, 2026 |
Quebec City (YQB) – Fort-de-France (FDF) | 1 flight/week, starting December 14, 2025 |
Quebec City (YQB) – Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP) | 1 flight/week, starting February 18, 2026 |
Charlottetown (YYG) – Cancún (CUN) | 1 flight/week, starting February 18, 2026 |
Fredericton (YFC) – Cancún (CUN) | 1 flight/week, starting February 18, 2026 |
Windsor (YQG) – Punta Cana (PUJ) | 1 flight/week, starting December 19, 2025 |
*Number of weekly frequencies at the peak of the season.
Expanded transatlantic program
Route | Details* |
Montreal (YUL) – Lyon (LYS) | 3 flights/week (+1) |
Montreal (YUL) – Marseille (MRS) | 3 flights/week (+1) |
Quebec City (YQB) – Paris (CDG) | 4 flights/week (+1) |
*Number of weekly frequencies at the peak of the season, along with variations compared to winter 2024-2025.
Expanded South program
Route | Details* |
Halifax (YHZ) – Montego Bay (MBJ) | Extended season (starting in December) and 2 flights/week (+1) |
Montreal (YUL) – Punta Cana (PUJ) | 16 flights/week (+2) |
Montreal (YUL) – Holguin (HOG) | 5 flights/week (+1) |
Montreal (YUL) – Puerto Vallarta (PVR) | 6 flights/week (+1) |
Montreal (YUL) – Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP) | 4 flights/week (+1) |
Toronto (YYZ) – Cayo Coco (CCC) | 4 flights/week (+1) |
Toronto (YYZ) – Cartagena (CTG) | 2 flights/week (+1) |
Toronto (YYZ) – Puerto Plata (POP) | 5 flights/week (+1) |
Toronto (YYZ) – Saint Martin (SXM) | 2 flights/week (+1) |
Toronto (YYZ) – Rio Hato (RIH) | 3 flights/week (+1) |
Quebec City (YQB) – Cancún (CUN) | 7 flights/week (+1) |
Quebec City (YQB) – Holguin (HOG) | 3 flights/week (+1) |
*Number of weekly frequencies at the peak of the season, along with variations compared to winter 2024-2025.
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