MONTREAL — Air Transat is heading to the Big Easy, with brand new nonstop service from Montreal this fall and winter.

Beginning Nov. 3, the airline will offer two direct flights on Thursdays and Sundays from Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). This makes Air Transat the only airline to offer nonstop service between the two cities.

On this latest addition to the carrier’s portfolio of fall and winter destinations, Annick Guérard, Chief Operating Officer at Transat said: “Adding this new route strengthens Air Transat’s status as a Canadian leader in leisure travel while also providing greater flexibility to business travellers visiting Louisiana, who will have the option of extending their stay.”

Details of Air Transat’s 2019 winter flight program will be announced shortly.

Philippe Rainville, President and CEO of Aéroports de Montréal, added: “We are extremely pleased to welcome this first direct connection to New Orleans from Montréal. Thanks to Air Transat, travellers will be able to discover a vibrant and culturally rich destination. Known as the birthplace of Jazz, New Orleans is definitely worth the trip! With this new link, YUL is further enhancing its air service and now offers a total of 152 direct destinations.”

Tourisme Montréal aims to welcome 13.5 million tourists annually by 2022. According to Yves Lalumière, President and CEO, the new service “opens up a promising market of people, which will certainly be open to discovering Montreal’s authenticity and creativity.”

Earlier this week Air Transat announced several new features that will improve its passengers’ inflight experience, just in time for summer travel.

Features range from new dishes onboard and special perks for young travellers, to a new summer issue of its magazine, Atmosphere.

On May 1, the airline revealed its summer 2019 Chef’s Menu by Daniel Vézina, which is free in Club Class and available in Economy for $18 for breakfast and $25 for lunch/dinner. The gourmet menu now includes a Portuguese-style cod along with five passenger favourites, all of which can be pre-ordered by calling the airline’s Booking Centre at 1-877-TRANSAT, or by visiting the Air Transat website.

Also worth noting is a new vegan option that has been added in Economy for passengers flying to/from the South and the U.S. The Mexican vegan salad can be ordered for $8.99.

For members of Air Transat’s Kids Club, they will receive a knapsack, travel diary, coloured pencils and postcard on departure flights. On transatlantic flights they’ll also be given an eye mask and a cozy blanket. Parents can register children by filling out an online form, calling the Transat hotline or visiting their travel agent.

Available until Oct. 31 is the new summer issue of Atmosphere. This issue features a comic strip route in Belgium, and highlights the natural treasures of Guadeloupe as well as the world of Game of Thrones in Croatia. It also features food festivals both from here and abroad, unusual ways to enjoy beer in Prague, and Top Five Under $50 in Vancouver.