Air Transat Launches New 11-Hour Nonstop Route Today: See Map Now

Published Oct 29, 2026, 12:48 PM EDT Paul has had a career of 25+ years focused on the international technology sector, which has taken him to over 100 countries. Along the way, he developed a deep love for aviation, with a travel bucket list measured by aircraft types flown rather than destinations reached. Now he brings that avgeek passion, along with the journalism experience he accumulated early in his career, to write insightful pieces for Simple Flying. Air Transat is launching nonstop flights between Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Istanbul Airport (IST) today, October 29, establishing its second route to Türkiye's largest city. The new year-round service uses an Airbus A330-200 and initially operates weekly, before increasing to twice-weekly in December. The new route expands the Canadian leisure carrier's partnership with Turkish Airlines, and is part of a wider international expansion. Air Transat also announced five new European routes for Summer 2027 today, highlighting how an airline traditionally associated with Caribbean vacations is strengthening its transatlantic network through new destinations, partnerships and long-range aircraft. Air Transat Launches Montreal–Istanbul Nonstop Flights Credit: Minh K Tran | Shutterstock Today's inaugural flight, TS314, is scheduled to depart Montreal at 9:50 PM and arrive in Istanbul at 2:05 PM tomorrow, a block time of nine hours and 15 minutes. The return flight, TS315, takes approximately 10 hours and 40 minutes. The 4,803-mile (7,728 km) route will initially operate on Thursdays, adding Tuesdays from December 15. Loading map… Drag to explore The Montreal service follows Air Transat's launch of Istanbul flights from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in December last year. These initially operated twice-weekly, before increasing to three flights in May. Together, the two routes will offer up to five weekly departures to Istanbul. Route Launch Weekly flights Aircraft Distance Toronto – Istanbul Dec. 6, 2025 3 A330-200 5,075 miles (8,167 km) Montreal – Istanbul Oct. 29, 2026 1, rising to 2 A330-200 4,803 miles (7,728 km) Air Transat operates the flights in partnership with Turkish Airlines, after the carriers formalized their interline and codeshare partnership in November 2025. This allows passengers to book connecting journeys at either end on a single ticket. Announcing the new YUL-IST route back in May, Air Transat chief revenue officer Sebastian Ponce emphasized the partnership and its importance to the airline's international network: "Through our partnership with Turkish Airlines, Istanbul becomes much more than a destination, it's a gateway to one of the most diverse global networks. Our customers can book a single ticket to dozens of destinations beyond Istanbul, all while enjoying Air Transat's quality of service." Why Air Transat Is Flying To Istanbul Credit: InsectWorld | Shutterstock At first glance, Air Transat's Istanbul expansion appears unusual, especially given Turkish Airlines' established presence in Canada. However, the two carriers began developing their partnership while Türkiye faced restrictive bilateral aviation rights, limiting Turkish Airlines to 12 weekly Canadian flights. The interline and codeshare agreement therefore allowed Turkish Airlines to sell more seats to Canada, while Air Transat benefited from operating flights with a large partner and Europe's busiest connecting hub. That regulatory environment changed substantially in May 2026, when Canada and Türkiye agreed to increase permitted weekly passenger frequencies from 12 to 21. Turkish Airlines subsequently increased flights to Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver International Airport (YVR), with further expansion scheduled for December. Airline / Period Toronto Montreal Vancouver Total Turkish Airlines — Before May 2026 6 3 3 12 Turkish Airlines — October 2026 7 4 4 15 Turkish Airlines — December 2026 7 5 5 17 Air Transat — December 2026 3 2 — 5 Combined December 2026 10 7 5 22 Despite this liberalization of traffic rights, the partnership remains commercially attractive. Turkish Airlines gains additional Canadian capacity without operating every flight itself, while Air Transat can sell connections across its partner's extensive international network. Passengers also benefit from coordinated bookings and through-checked baggage. Rather than merely overcoming regulatory constraints, the arrangement now provides both airlines with a platform for continued expansion. Air Transat Announces Five New European Routes Credit: sockagphoto | Shutterstock Air Transat's ambitions extend well beyond Istanbul. Today's Summer 2027 announcement adds five European routes, reflecting its growing emphasis on transatlantic travel. Europe now accounts for 45% of Air Transat's international flights, a substantial share for an airline that has been historically associated with the Caribbean and Mexican holidays. The new routes include two entirely new destinations, Geneva Airport (GVA) and Birmingham International Airport (BHX), alongside additional services to established European markets. Birmingham is particularly interesting, becoming Air Transat's third UK destination after London Gatwick and Manchester. It restores nonstop Toronto connectivity to England's Midlands, while Quebec City's route to Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) establishes the airport's first nonstop link with Spain. New Route Launch Date Weekly Flights Aircraft Quebec City – Lyon June 8, 2027 1 A321LR Montreal – Faro June 14, 2027 1 A321LR Quebec City – Barcelona June 14, 2027 1 A321LR Montreal – Geneva June 19, 2027 2 A321LR Toronto – Birmingham June 22, 2027 2 A321LR Further growth will follow as Air Transat prepares to receive its first Airbus A321XLRs in 2027. The airline has arranged leases for four aircraft, offering a range of approximately 4,700 nautical miles (5,400 miles; 8,700 km), a 17% increase in range over its current Airbus A321LRs. This additional capability will likely unlock thinner, longer transatlantic markets previously requiring widebody aircraft, supporting further European expansion beyond the destinations announced today.