EDMONTON — Low-cost carrier Flair Airlines is staying conservative with its transborder expansion, with just one U.S. route out of the hotly contested Ontario market for now, compared to 10 new U.S. routes out of Edmonton and Winnipeg.
The new routes, announced today, extend Flair’s network south of the border to Florida’s Orlando International Airport, St. Pete-Clearwater (Tampa Bay) and Miami as well as to Palm Springs, Las Vegas and Phoenix-Mesa Airport.
“The majority of our new services concentrate on Edmonton and Winnipeg,” says Flair’s Executive Chairman David Tait. “Having brought low fare service to 10 Canadian cities this summer, we are now taking the show on the road and heading south to some of the most popular winter getaway spots. Escaping the great Canadian winter will cost a lot less this year.”
For the winter schedule Flair has also announced increased domestic service with new routes between Toronto to Winnipeg (daily) and Calgary to Abbotsford.
Flights are now on sale, with the majority of flights starting on Dec.15. Edmonton to Las Vegas will start Nov. 9.
Introductory fares start at $99 to Las Vegas from both Winnipeg and Edmonton (one way, taxes and fees included).
On Aug. 2 low-cost carrier Swoop announced its U.S. routes, with four new destinations offered out of Ontario via John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport: Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa Bay. Swoop is also adding service ex Edmonton to Las Vegas and Mesa, and from Abbotsford, B.C. to Las Vegas. All of Swoop’s new U.S. flights start in October.
Facing increased competition from Swoop, Flair Airlines announced earlier this month that it will stop serving Hamilton International Airport and add more flights to Toronto Pearson.
Flair is also up against low-cost carrier Air Canada Rouge, which recently marked its fifth anniversary.
Here’s a look at the new Flair routes:
- Edmonton-Las Vegas
- Edmonton-Phoenix/Mesa
- Edmonton-Palm Springs
- Edmonton-Orlando
- Edmonton-Miami
- Winnipeg-Las Vegas
- Winnipeg-Phoenix/Mesa
- Winnipeg-Orlando
- Winnipeg-St. Pete/Clearwater
- Winnipeg-Miami
- Toronto-Miami
