Air Canada suspends all US flights, likely for first time in nearly 80 years
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Air Canada will suspend all flights south of the border following the Canadian and U.S. governments’ decision to extend their border closure for another month, part of the effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The Star Alliance carrier will suspend flights to the U.S. from April 26 through May 22, Air Canada said Tuesday. The airline already had slashed transborder flying to just 11 of the 53 cities it served in the U.S. in March.
Barring the days when all flights were grounded after 9/11, the suspension is believed to be the first time that Air Canada has not flown to the U.S. since at least 1941. The carrier’s predecessor, Trans-Canada Air Lines, inaugurated service to New York that year.
Get Coronavirus travel updates. Stay on top of industry impacts, flight cancellations, and more.
Canadian and U.S. officials have closed their border to all but essential travel and freight until May 20. The move aims to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Air Canada and other carriers are flying greatly reduced schedules amid near-zero demand. The airline has flown less than 10% of its schedule since mid-March when it was clear most people were staying home to avoid and stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The carrier’s main Canadian rivals Porter Airlines and WestJet have already suspended all U.S. flights.
With Air Canada’s exit from the Canada-U.S. market, only U.S. carriers American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines will fly between the countries through the first half of May, according to Cirium schedules. Capacity in the market is scheduled to be down more than 90% year-over-year during the month.
Related: Air Canada, WestJet slash US flights to slow coronavirus spread
Featured image by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Offer ends 11/10/2021.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer expires 11/10/2021.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.