Calgary and Edmonton Lose US Direct Flights as WestJet Responds to Changing Canadian Travel Preferences

WestJet has announced the cancellation of its direct flights from Calgary and Edmonton to the U.S., citing a significant shift in Canadian travel preferences. As political tensions and evolving travel regulations shape the landscape, more Canadians are reconsidering trips to American destinations. This move reflects the airline’s response to declining demand for U.S. routes, with travelers opting for alternative destinations amid changing policies and uncertainty surrounding U.S. travel regulations. The canceled flights, initially planned for the summer of 2025, mark a clear adjustment in the airline’s strategy to align with these emerging travel trends.

WestJet Cancels Two U.S. Routes Amid Shifting Canadian Travel Trends

In a significant move reflecting changing travel patterns, Calgary-based WestJet Airlines has announced the cancellation of two key direct flights from Alberta to the United States. The airline cited a decline in bookings to American destinations as the primary reason for the decision. The cancelled routes, one connecting Calgary International Airport to New York’s LaGuardia Airport, and another linking Edmonton with Orlando International Airport, had been scheduled to operate during the summer of 2025. This cancellation is a part of a broader shift in the travel behavior of Canadian citizens, who have increasingly been avoiding the U.S. as a vacation destination amid ongoing political tensions and new regulations imposed by the U.S. government.

Declining Interest in U.S. Destinations

WestJet’s cancellation of the seasonal flights comes in the wake of an emerging trend where fewer Canadians are booking travel to the U.S. Flight Centre Travel Group Canada reported a staggering 40% drop in bookings to American cities for February 2025, compared to the same month in the previous year. The travel agency also revealed that one in five Canadian travelers had canceled their planned trips to the U.S. over the past three months. This decrease in demand for U.S. destinations has been linked to multiple factors, including the political climate, tariffs, and concerns over new travel restrictions.

The airline industry has been under pressure to adapt to these shifting preferences, with WestJet opting to pull back from certain U.S. routes in response. This is not the first instance of Canadian travelers adjusting their plans due to uncertainties regarding U.S. policies. Many Canadians are concerned about the rhetoric surrounding the U.S.-Canada relationship, particularly the repeated threats of tariffs against Canadian products by former U.S. President Donald Trump, and the controversial suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state.

Impact of U.S. Political Climate on Canadian Travel

The political environment in the U.S. has undoubtedly played a major role in the changing attitudes of Canadian travelers. The relationship between the two nations has been fraught with tensions, especially during the Trump administration. While the political landscape has shifted since his tenure, the legacy of contentious policies and rhetoric continues to influence travel decisions among Canadians.

In addition to these political factors, recent changes to U.S. travel regulations have further complicated the situation. The Canadian government issued an updated travel advisory, cautioning Canadians who plan to visit the U.S. that new registration requirements are now in place. Visitors staying longer than 30 days in the U.S. must register their stay, or face the possibility of fines or even misdemeanor prosecution. This regulatory change has raised concerns among Canadian travelers, leading to a greater reluctance to travel south of the border.

Flight Centre’s Findings on Canadian Travel Behavior

Flight Centre’s findings on the decline in bookings to U.S. cities reflect a broader shift in Canadian travel behavior. Many Canadians are opting for domestic or international destinations outside the U.S. as a result of the political and regulatory uncertainty. Travel agencies have noted that there is a growing demand for vacations within Canada, as well as to other international destinations that are perceived as more politically stable and less restrictive.

The reduction in interest in U.S. travel has also been influenced by the unpredictable nature of the U.S. border and immigration policies. The perception that the U.S. is becoming less welcoming to foreign visitors, coupled with the growing political divide, has made it less appealing to Canadians who once traveled frequently to American cities. With the added complications of travel advisories, registration requirements, and tariff threats, many Canadians have opted to change their vacation plans and seek alternatives to traditional U.S. destinations.

WestJet’s Strategic Shift and Future Plans

For WestJet, the decision to cancel the two U.S. routes reflects a broader industry trend of adapting to changing market conditions. The airline industry as a whole is responding to the evolving demands of travelers, with many carriers adjusting their schedules to cater to shifting preferences. For WestJet, this means reevaluating its offerings on certain U.S. routes in favor of focusing on destinations that are more in demand. The airline has not ruled out the possibility of reintroducing these routes in the future, depending on how the travel landscape evolves.

While the cancellation of the Calgary to New York and Edmonton to Orlando routes may disappoint some travelers, WestJet has emphasized that it is constantly monitoring booking trends and will continue to adjust its network accordingly. As the airline industry faces new challenges in the wake of political and regulatory shifts, carriers like WestJet will likely continue to adapt their services to meet the needs of their customers.

U.S. Travel Advisory and Its Impact on Canadians

The Canadian government’s updated travel advisory has also had a significant impact on the decisions of Canadian travelers. The U.S. has long been a popular destination for Canadians, but recent changes in U.S. travel requirements have made it more complicated for Canadians to visit. The need to register for extended stays in the U.S., coupled with the risk of fines or legal consequences for non-compliance, has made many Canadians hesitant to travel south of the border. This has contributed to the ongoing decline in bookings to U.S. destinations, further exacerbating the trend of Canadians avoiding American cities.

The heightened scrutiny and regulatory changes have left many Canadians feeling uneasy about traveling to the U.S. With the possibility of legal ramifications for not complying with the registration requirements, many have opted to cancel or delay their trips. This uncertainty has led to a significant reduction in demand for U.S.-bound flights, which has been reflected in both flight bookings and cancellations.

WestJet has canceled direct flights from Calgary and Edmonton to the U.S. for summer 2025, responding to declining demand as Canadian travelers shift away from American destinations amid changing political and travel policies.

Looking Ahead: What This Means for the Future of Canadian Travel

As the political and regulatory environment surrounding U.S. travel continues to evolve, it is likely that Canadian travel behavior will continue to shift. Airlines like WestJet, along with travel agencies and other industry stakeholders, will need to adapt to these changing preferences in order to stay competitive in the market. For now, Canadian travelers are turning to alternatives that are perceived as more stable and less affected by political and regulatory uncertainties.

In the short term, this may mean more Canadians choosing to explore destinations within Canada, as well as international locations that offer a greater sense of political security. While U.S. destinations remain popular among some Canadians, the ongoing uncertainties surrounding U.S. policies and regulations are likely to continue influencing travel choices in the coming years.

WestJet’s cancellation of these two direct flights serves as a reminder that the travel industry is constantly evolving in response to both global and local factors. For Canadian travelers, it will be interesting to see how future changes in the political and regulatory landscape continue to shape their travel decisions and what alternative destinations may rise in popularity as a result.