Air Canada and WestJet boost transatlantic routes for summer 2025

Key Takeaways

• Air Canada, WestJet, and Lufthansa expand direct routes between Canada and Europe for summer and fall 2025.
• Air Canada adds flights to Naples, Porto, Prague, and London; WestJet launches 25 new routes from Calgary.
• Lufthansa and Air Canada codeshares enable easier Europe-Canada connections; domestic U.S. flights see a 20% demand drop.

Canadian airlines are making big changes to their international flight plans, focusing much more on Europe for summer and fall 2025. According to many travel industry sources and as seen by VisaVerge.com, Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter are all trying something new, with Air Canada and WestJet making the most bold moves. At the same time, the German airline group Lufthansa is growing its work in Canada, giving travelers more ways to cross the Atlantic. These changes are making it easier than ever to fly directly between Canada 🇨🇦 and Europe, even as demand for flights to the United States 🇺🇸 drops off. Let’s break down what is happening, why airlines are changing direction, and what it could mean for travelers, students, families, and businesses.

Air Canada’s Big European Push

For summer 2025, Air Canada is adding several new direct flights between Canada 🇨🇦 and Europe. Here’s what’s coming:

• Montreal to Naples (Italy 🇮🇹) and Porto (Portugal 🇵🇹)
• Toronto to Prague (Czech Republic 🇨🇿)
• Ottawa to London Heathrow (United Kingdom 🇬🇧)

These new flights join Air Canada’s already large network across the Mediterranean, Central Europe, and the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.

But it’s not just new cities that get more attention. Air Canada is also adding more flights on routes that are very busy every summer:

• Paris: Up to 10 flights a week from Toronto and up to 14 a week from Montreal
• Athens: Up to 10 flights a week each from Toronto and Montreal, and a longer summer flying season
• Rome: Up to 12 flights a week from Toronto and up to 9 a week from Montreal, with extra flights into October
• Edinburgh: New direct flights from Montreal join existing service from Toronto

At the busiest time next summer, Air Canada will offer more than 100,000 seats every week between Canada 🇨🇦 and over 30 cities in Europe and North Africa. The plan is to make it easy to connect to lots of places via the airline’s main hubs in Toronto and Montreal.

WestJet’s Record Growth Out of Calgary

Not to be outdone, WestJet is making its own ambitious move. In 2025, WestJet will add up to 25 new non-stop flights from Calgary to cities all over Europe. This is the largest expansion WestJet has ever tried from Western Canada 🇨🇦, and it turns Calgary into a real hub for international travel.

WestJet is buying more Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes for these long flights. This investment helps them reach Europe easily, giving Canadians in the west more choices. Some of the newest routes already flying include services from Halifax to Barcelona (Spain 🇪🇸) and Amsterdam (Netherlands 🇳🇱).

WestJet’s goal is to go beyond just North America, linking Calgary to some of the top destinations in Europe, with direct flights that cut travel time and make the trip simpler for Canadians.

Porter: Staying Close to Home—For Now

While Air Canada and WestJet focus on Europe, Porter is sticking mostly to domestic flights and some shorter trips within North America. After moving away from some U.S. destinations, Porter’s main strategy is to be the top pick for travel within Canada 🇨🇦.

There is a chance Porter may launch more international flights with help from partnerships, called “codeshares,” which let airlines sell seats on each other’s flights. But as of now, Porter is focused on growing in Canadian cities and making flying at home easier and more comfortable.

Lufthansa Grows with New Germany 🇩🇪–Canada 🇨🇦 Connections

Lufthansa, the main German airline, and its leisure carrier called Discover Airlines, are also turning their gaze to Canada 🇨🇦. In summer/fall 2025, Discover Airlines will begin a brand new direct flight from Munich (Germany 🇩🇪) to Calgary. This service is set up to make Calgary a bigger “gateway” for Canadians wanting to travel deeper into Europe, since Munich’s airport is a key connection point for flights to cities all over Europe.

Beyond this one flight, the entire Lufthansa group—which includes partners like SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, and Discover Airlines—is adding more flights connecting both Western and Eastern Canada 🇨🇦 to their big hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, and Zürich (Switzerland 🇨🇭).

Thanks to their partnership with Air Canada, called a “codeshare” arrangement under the Star Alliance group, travelers can mix and match flights on Air Canada and Lufthansa/Discover, making travel plans easier for people crossing the Atlantic.

Why Are Airlines Making This Shift?

A few big reasons explain why Canadian airlines are putting more effort into flying to Europe instead of to the United States 🇺🇸:

• There has been a drop of about 20% in bookings between Canadian and U.S. cities. This is partly caused by political tensions and the higher cost of the U.S. dollar versus the Canadian dollar, making U.S. trips less appealing for many Canadians.
• At the same time, more Canadians are booking flights within Canada. Domestic travel bookings are up by 11% compared to the previous year.

Airlines like Porter are focusing inward because of these domestic gains, but others like Air Canada and WestJet are using the extra planes that once went to the U.S. to fly to Europe instead. This means not just filling planes but also giving flyers more places to visit.

Let’s summarize the most important new and expanded routes in one place:

Easy Connections and More Choice for Travelers

All these route expansions mean you will have more choices and shorter trips when flying between Canada 🇨🇦 and Europe. For families, students, and workers, this can be a game-changer. No longer do you have to pass through the United States 🇺🇸 or deal with extra stops, long layovers, or higher fares. Instead, more Canadians can get where they need to go with fewer headaches.

Business travelers can reach more markets—quickly. Students can fly directly to cities like Naples, Porto, or Prague without detouring through big U.K. or German hubs. Families visiting relatives or new immigrants can enjoy more convenient travel. Airlines hope this will bring in more customers by making trips easier, less tiring, and often less expensive.

How Do Codeshares Help?

If you’ve ever seen a flight that is operated “by Lufthansa for Air Canada” or similar, that’s a “codeshare.” It’s a deal between airlines that lets them sell tickets on each other’s flights. The Star Alliance (which includes Air Canada, Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, and Brussels Airlines) makes it easier for people to book travel between Canada 🇨🇦 and Europe, switch between airlines, and get help if something changes.

An example: You could fly Air Canada from Vancouver to Toronto, then switch to a Lufthansa Group airline (like SWISS) in Toronto and continue to Zürich, with all flight segments under one booking. This helps if you need to rebook, or if you want to earn frequent flyer points across different airlines.

Market Background: Why Now?

The sudden shift is partly because the world is still getting used to changes after the COVID-19 pandemic. More people want to visit family in Europe, study there, or simply go on vacation. Many travelers became used to flying direct and want that simplicity, especially as airport lines and layovers are less appealing. The U.S. has become less attractive for several reasons, so Canadian airlines quickly moved their extra planes to where Canadians want to go: Europe.

WestJet, once just a small regional airline, now flies as a major long-haul carrier using modern Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Its investment in these planes shows how important Europe is to Canadian travelers. Air Canada took a risk by opening new routes to less common cities like Naples or Porto, betting that Canadians are becoming more interested in different travel experiences.

On the Europe side, Lufthansa sees Canada 🇨🇦 as a great market, especially as more Europeans look to visit Canada’s beautiful national parks or do business in cities like Calgary or Vancouver. Munich’s airport offers fast connections to almost all corners of Europe, so the new Munich–Calgary flight opens up many new possibilities on both sides of the Atlantic.

What Does This Mean for Immigration and Visa Applicants?

If you are an immigrant, a student, or a worker planning to travel between Canada 🇨🇦 and Europe, these new flights bring several benefits:

• Faster trips: More direct routes mean you don’t waste time at U.S. airports or wait for long layovers.
• Easier planning: Codeshare deals let you use different airlines under one ticket, with support if plans change.
• More destinations: Whether you’re settling in Canada 🇨🇦 or heading to Europe for work, school, or family, you have more choices than ever before.
• Visa Processing: Direct flights can make booking trips for visa appointments in Canada 🇨🇦 or Europe simpler, especially with easier connections to major cities like London, Rome, or Zurich.

If you need more details on what flights are available, visa policies, or the nearest embassy or consulate, you should always start with the official websites. For Canadian immigration, check the official Government of Canada immigration page.

What Should Travelers, Students, and Businesses Do Next?

With all these changes, it’s a good idea to:

• Check airline websites (like Air Canada, WestJet, Lufthansa) for updates on routes and schedules.
• Compare fares and travel times, as competition often means cheaper prices and better service.
• For students or work permit holders, look for direct city pairs between your home and university or workplace—you may find new options that didn’t exist before.
• Make sure to look up visa and entry requirements for both Canada 🇨🇦 and your destination country.

Final Thoughts: What Happens Next?

As Air Canada, WestJet, and Lufthansa group airlines grow their services, travelers will benefit from more choices and smoother journeys between Canada 🇨🇦 and Europe. Airlines are responding quickly to what people want—more direct flights and better connections—not just to famous cities, but to new and exciting spots as well.

For immigrants, students, and tourists, these changes could make visiting family, moving for work, or starting a new adventure much less stressful and more enjoyable. Keep an eye on updates from the airlines and make sure you check official sources before making big travel or immigration plans.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, this new wave of direct flights and partnerships across the Atlantic should help lower costs, save time, and give all kinds of travelers—including those with urgent immigration needs—more ways to reach their goals in 2025 and beyond.

Learn Today

Codeshare → A partnership between airlines allowing them to sell seats on each other’s flights under one booking, simplifying travel plans.
Star Alliance → A major global airline alliance including Air Canada and Lufthansa, providing coordinated connections and benefits for travelers.
Dreamliner (Boeing 787) → A modern, long-range aircraft used for international flights, offering increased comfort and efficiency on long-haul routes.
Layover → A scheduled stop at an intermediate airport between origin and final destination, often causing additional travel time and inconvenience.
Direct flight → A flight that moves between two cities without changing planes or additional stops, significantly reducing travel time.

This Article in a Nutshell

Canadian airlines overhaul international plans by focusing on Europe for 2025. Air Canada and WestJet unveil numerous new direct flights, while Lufthansa expands Canadian routes. Declining U.S. travel demand and improved codeshares mean travelers, students, and businesses gain shorter, simpler journeys between Canada and Europe, unlocking fresh opportunities and reduced stress.
— By VisaVerge.com

Read more:

• Air France adjusts fares amid shifting transatlantic demand
• British Airways and Others Settle Antitrust Issues on Transatlantic Routes
• UK and France discuss Channel migrant return agreement
• United Airlines to cut domestic flights due to changing demand
• Green card holders must carry ID under new US directive