Canadian leisure airline Air Transat has just announced that it will be launching the only direct flight between Montreal, Quebec and San Diego, California. This links Canada's second-largest city with the popular west coast holiday destination. This service will commence in the summer of 2020 and operate three times weekly (Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays) utilizing the Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A321.

About the flight

In the official press release, Air Transat's CEO Annick Guérard had the following to say about the airline's newest offerings:

"We are enriching our offering to the western and southern United States, in line with growing travellers' expectations...The North American tourism market is strong, and as the No. 1 leisure airline in Canada, we are happy to increase our destinations and frequencies, all while strengthening our Montreal hub."

According to Routes Online, the service will have the following flight numbers and times leaving Montreal:

  • Flights TS194 and TS196 will depart Montreal at 1845 and arrive in San Diego at 2140 on their respective days
  • Flight TS198 will depart Montreal at 1900 and arrive in San Diego at 2155

Here are the details for flights to Montreal from San Diego:

  • Flights TS195 and TS 197 will depart San Diego at 1110. Flights will then arrive in Montreal at 1915 on their respective days
  • Flight TS199 will be an overnight flight, departing San Diego at 2255, arriving in Montreal the next morning at 0700

According to the schedule, TS194/195 and TS196/197 will use the Boeing 737-800. However, flight TS198/199 will use an Airbus A321.

Air Transat has been modernizing its fleet with the Airbus A321LR. Photo: Airbus

Linking French-Canadian culture and fun in the sun

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, one-way tickets to Montreal are currently available for booking, starting at US$171 for Air Transat’s “Eco Budget” fares. Return flights out of San Diego start at US$204.

San Diego is a popular North American holiday destination and is also a good base from which to visit Los Angeles as well as Disneyland. The region is home to many national parks, including the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

Philippe Rainville, President and CEO of Aéroports de Montréal commented specifically on the San Diego announcement, saying:

"We are very pleased to welcome the first direct route to San Diego from Montreal. Thanks to our partner Air Transat, YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airport will be offering a broader and enriched air service, with an increased frequency of flights to the southern and western United States. Quebecers will be able to enjoy a wide range of choices during the summer of 2020 with even more destinations to discover."

Air Transat spokeswoman Debbie Cabana says the carrier believes that "traffic between Quebec and San Diego will be stimulated with the addition of a direct service.

Air Transat is in the process of a takeover from Air Canada. However, this deal is still pending. Photo: Lord of the Wings via Wikimedia Commons

Air Transat is set to be acquired by Air Canada. The deal was officially approved by Air Transat's board of directors in late June of this year. However, according to Air Canada, the transaction remains subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals and other closing conditions. They have said,

"If such approvals are obtained and conditions are met, the transaction is expected to be completed in early 2020".