The biggest story in Caribbean travel for Canadians right now isn’t a new resort or a new destination.
It’s the absence of Cuba.
For decades, Cuba was one of Canada’s dominant winter sun markets, with nonstop flights connecting cities across the country to destinations throughout the island. Today, Cuba remains absent from Canadian airline schedules, creating one of the most significant shifts in Caribbean airlift in years.
Airlines have responded by expanding service to other destinations across the region, and Jamaica has emerged as one of the biggest winners.
Now Air Canada is adding even more flights to the island.
The carrier has scheduled new seasonal nonstop service from both Edmonton International Airport and Winnipeg Richardson International Airport to Montego Bay, Jamaica, expanding capacity for the 2026-2027 winter season and giving travelers in Western Canada more options for reaching one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations.
The move is another sign of Jamaica’s growing momentum in the Canadian market, particularly as airlines continue redirecting Caribbean capacity to destinations with strong demand and established tourism infrastructure.
New Nonstop Flights to Montego Bay
Air Canada will operate nonstop service between Edmonton and Montego Bay every day of the week from Dec. 7, 2026 through April 4, 2027.
The airline is also launching nonstop service between Winnipeg and Montego Bay, operating on Sundays and Mondays from Dec. 7, 2026 through April 5, 2027.
The flights add thousands of seats during the heart of the winter travel season, when Canadian travelers head south for warmer weather and beach vacations.
For travelers in Alberta and Manitoba, the new service means direct access to Jamaica’s primary tourism gateway, eliminating the need for connections through larger Canadian hubs.
The routes also reinforce Montego Bay’s role as one of the Caribbean’s busiest and most important airports.
Jamaica Is Benefiting From a Major Airlift Shift
The disappearance of Cuba flights from Canadian airline schedules has reshaped Caribbean travel patterns.
Aircraft that once operated routes to Cuba have been redeployed throughout the region, creating opportunities for destinations that already have strong tourism products and significant room inventories.
Jamaica has been particularly well positioned.
The island combines extensive resort inventory, broad brand recognition among Canadian travelers, strong airlift and a tourism sector that continues to attract investment.
That combination has helped Jamaica capture a larger share of Canadian winter travel demand.
The latest Air Canada expansion is another example of how airlines are responding to those changing travel patterns.
While destinations throughout the Caribbean have seen growth, Jamaica continues to stand out because of its ability to absorb additional visitors while offering a wide range of accommodations and experiences.
Montego Bay Remains Jamaica’s Tourism Hub
Much of that growth continues to center on Montego Bay.
The city serves as Jamaica’s primary tourism gateway and the arrival point for millions of visitors each year. From the airport, travelers are within easy reach of Montego Bay’s resort corridor, the Rose Hall area and much of the island’s northern coastline.
The convenience is one of Jamaica’s biggest advantages.
A direct flight from Canada can put travelers on the beach just a short time after landing, an important consideration for vacationers looking to maximize a week-long getaway.
Montego Bay also remains one of the Caribbean’s most established resort markets, with a mix of luxury resorts, all-inclusive hotels, golf resorts and boutique properties.
That depth has helped Jamaica maintain its appeal across multiple traveler segments, from families and couples to groups and luxury travelers.
The New Resorts Drawing Canadian Travelers
The additional Air Canada flights arrive as Jamaica continues to expand its hotel offerings.
Among the most significant recent additions are Princess Grand Jamaica and the adults-only Princess Senses The Mangrove, neighboring resorts in Green Island along Jamaica’s northwestern coast.
The two properties added more than 1,000 rooms to the destination and represent one of the largest resort developments Jamaica has seen in years.
Princess Grand Jamaica targets families with multiple pools, expansive accommodations, water attractions and a broad all-inclusive offering.
Next door, Princess Senses The Mangrove has quickly generated attention for its adults-only concept, overwater villas, wellness facilities and collection of restaurants and bars.
The resorts have become a major addition to Jamaica’s tourism product and are helping attract travelers seeking newer all-inclusive experiences.
Canadian visitors continue to gravitate toward established properties as well, including Half Moon, Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, S Hotel Montego Bay and Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort and Spa.
The result is one of the Caribbean’s deepest resort inventories, giving travelers options across a wide range of budgets and travel styles.
Western Canada Keeps Growing
The new routes also underscore the growing importance of Western Canada to Caribbean tourism.
While Toronto and Montreal remain Canada’s largest gateways for Caribbean travel, airlines have steadily increased service from cities such as Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg as demand continues to grow.
The winter season is particularly important.
Long winters, strong vacation demand and a growing appetite for direct flights have made Western Canada an increasingly attractive market for Caribbean destinations.
Daily service from Edmonton represents a significant commitment by Air Canada, while the Winnipeg flights provide another direct option for travelers across Manitoba and neighboring provinces.
Together, the routes strengthen Jamaica’s position in a market that continues to generate substantial winter travel demand.
What It Means for Travelers
The new Air Canada service provides travelers with another direct path to one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations.
It also highlights how quickly Caribbean aviation continues to evolve.
As Cuba remains absent from Canadian airline schedules, airlines are directing more resources toward destinations that can accommodate additional demand. Jamaica has emerged as one of the clearest beneficiaries of that trend, attracting new routes, expanded service and growing visitor numbers.
Beginning in December 2026, travelers from Edmonton and Winnipeg will have even more opportunities to reach Montego Bay.
It’s another vote of confidence for Jamaica from one of Canada’s largest airlines — and another sign that the island continues to gain momentum as the Caribbean’s winter travel landscape changes
Caribbean Journal Staff
2026-06-01 00:52:00