Canadian Airlines Responds To Marketing Efforts From U.S. Destination By Removing 82,000 Seats

"Several U.S. destinations have continued marketing efforts towards Canadians. However, on the flip side, other locations have halted all marketing efforts this year. Visit Big Sky's CEO, Brad Niva, revealed that marketing efforts have stopped, with the goal of "just kind of letting time heal itself." For other destinations, the promotional efforts have continued. However, Canadian airlines have responded by eliminating more seats in the U.S., reducing capacity by 450,000 seats in the first quarter of 2026."

"According to new data from OAG, the major Canadian airlines have dropped capacity to the United States. This includes WestJet, which has reduced capacity by 19%. Air Canada cut capacity by 7%. The biggest change comes from Flair Airlines, which cut capacity to the United States by 58% in the first quarter. On the flip side, capacity has increased from Canadian airlines to other destinations including Mexico, Costa Rica, France, Britain and Japan."

Some U.S. destinations continued marketing to Canadian travelers while others halted promotions, with Visit Big Sky pausing outreach to "let time heal itself." Major Canadian carriers reduced capacity to the United States by roughly 450,000 seats in Q1 2026, equal to nearly 5,000 seats per day. WestJet cut U.S. capacity by 19%, Air Canada by 7% and Flair Airlines by 58% in the quarter. Capacity from Canada increased to Mexico, Costa Rica, France, Britain and Japan. Las Vegas experienced the largest leisure-seat decline, losing about 82,000 Canadian-originated seats in the first quarter.

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