Air Canada's Tenerife Flights Start October 25: Schedule, Aircraft and What It Means for Winter Sun Travel

Air Canada begins the only nonstop flights between North America and Tenerife on October 25 from Toronto and October 31 from Montreal, using the new Airbus A321XLR. The seasonal service runs through late April 2027 and is the longest nonstop link to the Canary Islands from Canada.

What Air Canada Is Launching

Routes: Toronto–Tenerife South and Montreal–Tenerife South · Season: Winter 2026–27

Air Canada says its service is the only nonstop option from North America to Tenerife. The airline announced the routes in April as part of a wider winter sun expansion, and the first Toronto departure is now about two and a half weeks away. Aviation Week's list of October launches includes both Tenerife routes.

The Schedule From Toronto and Montreal

Toronto: Thursdays and Sundays outbound · Montreal: Saturdays, with extra Tuesdays in winter

Toronto flight AC954 departs at 8:35pm and lands at 9:00am the next day, running Thursdays and Sundays from October 25 to April 29, according to PaxNews. Return flights leave Tenerife at 10:55am on Mondays and Fridays. Montreal flights start October 31 on Saturdays, and Inside Flyer reports Air Canada later added Tuesdays between January 24 and March 23, which doubles the winter frequency. Schedules can change, so recheck before you pay.

The Aircraft and Cabin

Aircraft: Airbus A321XLR · Seats: 182 (14 lie-flat, 168 economy)

The A321XLR is a single-aisle jet with a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles, and Air Canada took delivery of its first aircraft in April. The cabin has 14 Signature Class lie-flat seats in a 1-1 layout plus 168 economy seats. Toronto–Tenerife covers about 3,135 nautical miles, the longest nonstop flight Canada has to the islands, so expect a long overnight narrow-body flight rather than a widebody experience.

Where the A321XLR Fits in Air Canada's Plans

Fleet: 30 A321XLRs due · Other planned routes: Berlin, Toulouse, Edinburgh

The UK Aviation report on the delivery says Air Canada has 30 A321XLRs due to join its fleet, with nonstop transatlantic service planned from Montreal and Toronto to Berlin, Toulouse and Edinburgh. Tenerife is therefore one of the first tests of whether a smaller jet can profitably open leisure markets that a widebody could not fill. Winter sun suits that model, because demand is steady from December to March.

Why Tenerife, and Why Now

Driver: Early bookings and local incentives · Risk: Reliance on connecting passengers

Inside Flyer cites strong early bookings and financial incentives from local authorities, and notes that both Air Canada and Air Transat depend heavily on connecting passengers. Tenerife's tourism chief called the link a strategic boost for the island, as covered by Travel Industry Today. Further coverage is available from Airdata News.

Air Transat Adds Gran Canaria

Start: December 12 · Frequency: Weekly from each city

Air Transat plans weekly A321LR flights from Montreal and Toronto to Gran Canaria beginning December 12, per the same Inside Flyer report. That gives Canadians two Canary Islands options this winter, but only Air Canada serves Tenerife nonstop. Travellers who want Gran Canaria's beaches will need to wait until mid-December.

Other Winter Sun Routes Air Canada Added

New routes: Roatán, Santo Domingo, Mérida, Mazatlán, Aruba, Barbados and more

The same announcement covers new service from Montreal to Santo Domingo and Aruba, Toronto to Mérida, Vancouver to Mazatlán and Liberia, Calgary to Cancún and Puerto Vallarta, and Edmonton to Montego Bay, according to The Bulkhead Seat. Roatán, Mérida and Mazatlán are subject to government approval. For beach alternatives, see our guide to the best Caribbean islands for winter sun.

What It Means for Halifax and Atlantic Canada

Halifax route: Weekly to Bridgetown, Barbados, on Thursdays · Tenerife: Connection required

Halifax gains a weekly Barbados flight but no Tenerife service, so Atlantic Canadians would connect through Toronto or Montreal. Our guide to Air Canada flights from Halifax covers the airline's network from Stanfield. Check connection times carefully, because the Toronto departure is at 8:35pm.

Another Canada Launch on October 25: Etihad to Calgary

Route: Abu Dhabi–Calgary · Frequency: Four times weekly on a 787-9

The same Aviation Week roundup lists Etihad's Abu Dhabi–Calgary service, starting October 25, as the first nonstop link between the Middle East and Western Canada. It matters for Indian and Gulf connections, and the route is a useful alternative for travellers in Alberta and British Columbia. Fares were not published in the sources checked, so compare itineraries directly on the airline's site.

Fuel Costs Are a Wildcard

Context: Ryanair's CEO says some airlines may not survive the winter

A new route is not guaranteed to run all season. The October 7 Daily Aviation Brief relays Ryanair's warning on high jet fuel prices and notes ongoing oil-shock losses for airlines. Seasonal long-range routes are easy for carriers to trim, so book refundable or flexible fares where possible.

People Also Ask

Are there nonstop flights from Canada to Tenerife?

Yes. Air Canada flies Toronto–Tenerife South starting October 25 and Montreal–Tenerife South starting October 31. Air Canada describes the service as the only nonstop option from North America. Flights are seasonal and run until late April 2027.

What days does Air Canada fly to Tenerife?

From Toronto, outbound flights operate Thursdays and Sundays, with returns Mondays and Fridays. From Montreal, outbound flights run Saturdays, with Tuesdays added from January 24 to March 23. Schedules are subject to change, so confirm on Air Canada's website before booking.

What aircraft does Air Canada use to Tenerife?

Air Canada uses the new Airbus A321XLR with 182 seats: 14 lie-flat Signature Class seats and 168 economy seats. The jet has a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles, enough for Toronto–Tenerife at roughly 3,135 nautical miles.

Do Canadians need a visa for Tenerife?

No. Canadians can travel to Spain with a valid passport under normal entry rules. The EU's ETIAS system has been delayed indefinitely as of August 2026, so no authorization is required today. Rules can change, so verify before departure.

Is there a Gran Canaria flight from Canada?

Air Transat plans weekly A321LR flights from Montreal and Toronto to Gran Canaria starting December 12. Air Canada does not fly there. Both airlines rely on connecting passengers, so check onward connections from smaller Canadian cities.

Facts checked against current sources as of October 8, 2026; schedules, fares and entry rules can change, so confirm with the airline and official sources before booking or traveling.