Air Canada Soars Back to San Antonio with Expanded Service

Air Canada is set to significantly boost its U.S. network, announcing a three-route expansion for summer 2026. The Star Alliance carrier will re-establish a connection to San Antonio International Airport (SAT) from its Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) hub, alongside new seasonal services to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and John Glenn International Airport (CMH) in Ohio, both originating from Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL). These new routes are scheduled to operate from May 1, 2026, through October of the same year.

Key Takeaways

• Air Canada is launching three new seasonal U.S. routes in Summer 2026.
• San Antonio (SAT) will be reconnected to Toronto (YYZ) three times weekly.
• Cleveland (CLE) and Columbus (CMH) will receive daily service from Montreal (YUL).
• The expansion aims to grow transborder capacity by approximately 15% year-over-year.

New Routes and Schedules

The reintroduced YYZ-SAT route will operate three times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, utilizing an Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The new YUL-CLE and YUL-CMH routes will both be served daily by an Embraer E175.

Strategic Expansion Amidst Shifting Travel Trends

Despite a recent dip in transborder travel numbers between the U.S. and Canada, Air Canada is strategically expanding its U.S. footprint. Data from the U.S. International Trade Administration indicates an 11% decrease in Canadians arriving in the U.S. by air in the first half of the year compared to 2024. This shift may be influenced by travelers opting for destinations like the Caribbean and Mexico.

However, Air Canada’s expansion may not solely target Canadian travelers heading to the U.S. The airline is known for its robust

### Sixth-Freedom Strategy

• Air Canada will return to San Antonio in 3-route expansion, The Points Guy.