Air Transat Expands Intercontinental Network With New Direct Montreal–Istanbul Route
Air Transat announced this Friday the launch of a new nonstop service between Montreal and Istanbul, scheduled to begin operations on October 29, 2026. This strategic addition not only strengthens the airline’s offering in the Canadian market but also transforms the Turkish metropolis into a key connectivity hub toward the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the Caucasus.
Year-Round Transatlantic Connectivity
The new route will operate year-round with a frequency of two weekly flights, scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays. Air Transat will deploy Airbus A330 aircraft for this service, ensuring robust capacity and the comfort standards characteristic of its long-haul fleet.
When combined with the three weekly frequencies already operating from Toronto, travelers from across Canada—from Halifax to Vancouver, via Ottawa, Quebec City, Winnipeg, and Calgary—will have up to five weekly flights available to connect with Turkey.
Istanbul as a Global Gateway
The launch of this route aligns with a profitable growth strategy based on disciplined capacity management and the development of high-potential routes. Following the success of the Toronto–Istanbul link launched in 2025, which demonstrated solid demand in the Canadian market, the connection from Montreal serves as a natural complement.
→ Air Transat Expands French Network With Launch of Quebec City–Marseille Flights
Strategic Alliance and International Projection
The value of this new destination is significantly enhanced through commercial cooperation with Turkey’s flag carrier:
- Codeshare Agreement: Through the partnership with Turkish Airlines, Istanbul becomes a global distribution platform.
- Single-Ticket Issuance: Air Transat passengers will be able to purchase a single ticket to travel to dozens of destinations beyond Turkey, facilitating seamless international connections.
- Local Economic Impact: Transat’s revenue management executives highlighted that expanding this program at its primary base represents excellent news for both Quebec residents and the local business community.
Boosting Airport Development in Quebec
From the airport management perspective, Aéroports de Montreal expressed its enthusiasm for the arrival of this service. The entity noted that the route not only offers a new gateway to a culturally rich region but will also attract passengers seeking memorable experiences in Turkey’s largest city, famous for its unique geographical position spanning Europe and Asia. Furthermore, the airport operator recognized the continuous efforts of the airline’s teams to bring this project to fruition.
The start of operations in October 2026 will consolidate a key pillar in Air Transat’s network expansion strategy, leveraging the high demand for connectivity between North America and global emerging markets via the Istanbul airport hub.
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