MONTREAL — Where are Canadians flying to this summer? Punta Cana and Rome, namely, says Air Transat.

According to new travel data from the airline, the two cities are the most popular booking choices for family vacations during the peak summer season between June and August 2024.  For Canadian travellers with kids under five years of age, Punta Cana is the summer destination seeing the biggest increase in bookings, while those travelling with older grade-schoolers or teenagers are choosing Rome as their top getaway.

“It is clear that in the early years of parenthood, adults want to travel where they know they can relax, recoup their energy, and set up shop next to a pool or on a beach,” said Xavier Szwengler, Vice President, Marketing & Loyalty at Transat. “But once the kids grow out of strollers, more parents are prioritizing educational destinations that can broaden horizons, particularly Rome, where family vacation itineraries are never short on activities and discoveries. No matter where their adventures take them, families can trust Air Transat to provide exceptional care and service, ensuring they travel with peace of mind.”

To accommodate families, Air Transat offers a range of family privileges, including free seat selection, priority check-in and boarding, and a Kids Club for children ages 2-11.

OTHER TOP DESTINATIONS

Air Transat’s data also revealed that Rome, Paris, London and Lisbon are the most popular destinations among all adult age groups this summer, though travellers 55+ heading to Portugal tend to choose Porto over Lisbon. Porto, a coastal city in the northwest of Portugal, is also the most popular destination for travellers with a pet, as many of the activities in the region are pet friendly.

AGE-RELATED TRENDS

In addition to popular destinations, the latest data revealed how different generations are travelling. Millennials are the most likely to do short weekend vacations, with Cancun and Punta Cana topping the list. Gen X and Boomers, meanwhile, prefer vacations longer than two weeks in European destinations such as Paris, Rome, Athens, Porto and Lisbon.

Millennials are also the ones who travel with the most luggage, while Boomers and Gen X prefer to book their seats in advance for peace of mind. These travellers can benefit from Air Transat’s Option Plus for more privileges and services in Economy class, such as one checked bag included, seat selection and priority services at the airport.

SOLO TRIPS

For travellers looking to embark on a solo trip this summer, Paris, London, Rome and Lisbon are topping the list. In fact, Paris has seen a 48% increase in bookings year, while London jumped 39%. Those travelling as a pair are favouring similar destinations, although Rome and Paris have seen a 56% and 50% increase in bookings, respectively.

This summer, Air Transat is offering a robust flight program from Montreal, Toronto and Quebec City, with more than 280 weekly nonstop flights to more than 40 destinations, including newly added flights to Lima and Marrakech year round. For more information go to www.airtransat.com.