WestJet Airlines is suspending nine flight routes between Canada and the United States, a decision driven by a significant drop in demand linked to strained political relations and growing anti-Canada rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump. The Canadian airline confirmed this move as part of a broader adjustment to its summer schedule, reflecting ongoing Canadian hesitation to travel south of the border.
Among the cancelled flights is a new service between Vancouver and Austin that was set to launch next week, now delayed until at least October 2025. Other affected routes include nonstop flights to key American destinations such as Orlando, Los Angeles, and Chicago, which will be paused between June and August 2025. Some of these routes were solely operated by WestJet, leaving no direct alternatives for passengers.
Spokesperson Josh Yeats emphasized that the company is closely monitoring market demand and remains open to reinstating the flights in the future. “WestJet continuously evaluates and adjusts its schedule to meet demand, and we remain committed to reviewing opportunities for direct service on these routes,” he stated.
The airline's decision comes at a time when many Canadians are opting out of U.S. travel due to ongoing trade disputes and politically charged statements from Trump, including his repeated claims that Canada should be annexed as America’s 51st state. This rhetoric appears to be impacting tourism, with many Canadians redirecting travel plans toward domestic or overseas destinations.
In response to these shifting travel patterns, WestJet is increasing flights within Canada and adding routes to Europe, providing Canadian travelers with more non-U.S. options. Recently, the airline announced new flights to Europe from Halifax Stanfield International Airport, including service to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), and Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN). Additionally, the airline will return popular flights from Halifax to London Gatwick (LGW), Dublin (DUB), and Edinburgh (EDI).
Air Canada is also adjusting its strategy in light of declining U.S. flight bookings. On May 5, 2025, the airline announced plans to add new flights to South America, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. A spokesperson told Open Jaw that some of these changes are a reallocation of U.S. flights, but also due to the acquisition of new aircraft by Air Canada.
In March, Air Canada reported a 10 percent year-over-year decline in bookings for transborder flights between Canada and the U.S. for the April-to-September travel season. This decline has prompted the airline to ramp up service to Latin America and expand operations using its new Airbus A220 and Boeing 737 Max aircraft.
The shifting landscape of air travel between Canada and the U.S. underscores the wider economic impact of political tensions on travel behavior. As both major Canadian carriers pivot away from U.S. destinations, it remains to be seen how long this downward trend in cross-border travel will persist.
A new survey by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada reveals that 88% of Canadians would prefer to take road trips within Canada rather than venture into the U.S., with only 8% planning to cross the border. Moreover, slightly more than half (51%) of Canadian drivers surveyed indicated that they have canceled previously planned U.S. road trips.
As Canadians continue to reassess their travel options amidst these challenges, the airline industry is tasked with adapting to changing consumer preferences. With WestJet and Air Canada both adjusting their routes and services, the focus is shifting toward enhancing domestic travel and exploring new international opportunities.
In these uncertain times, the airlines are not only responding to immediate market demands but are also preparing for future growth as the travel landscape evolves. As they navigate these challenges, the commitment to meeting customer needs remains at the forefront of their strategies.
