A Guide to Air Transat’s Direct Flights from the UK to Canada
Canada is a bucket-list destination, known for its dramatic landscapes, vibrant cities and sense of adventure. But because the country is so vast, choosing the right arrival and departure points can shape the entire trip.
Air Transat came highly recommended by City Girl Network members who regularly travel between the UK and Canada. They’re praised for their direct routes and great value fares, making it a natural choice for the City Girl Guide to Canada.
With direct flights from the UK to Toronto, Montréal and Ottawa, there are several ways to plan a city break, girls’ trip or longer multi-stop adventure. We flew from London Gatwick to Toronto and returned from Montréal, allowing us to travel through Ontario and Québec without retracing our route.
Where does Air Transat fly from the UK?
Air Transat’s direct routes from the UK include:
London Gatwick to Toronto
London Gatwick to Montréal
London Gatwick to Ottawa
Manchester to Toronto
Glasgow to Toronto
Dublin to Toronto
Some routes operate year-round, while others are seasonal. Always check the schedule for your travel dates before planning the rest of your trip.
Fly to Toronto for the most flexible route
Toronto is a strong choice for a first visit to Canada. It combines food, culture, nightlife and distinct neighbourhoods with easy access to Niagara Falls.
It also works well as the beginning of a wider journey through Eastern Canada. From Toronto, you can continue by train to Ottawa and Montréal or connect to destinations elsewhere in the country.
Air Transat flies directly to Toronto from London Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow year-round, making it the most accessible option for many UK travellers.
Montreal: Photography by Pippa Moyle, using a Sony RX100 VII from MPB
Fly to Montréal for a Québec-focused trip
Choose Montréal when food, culture and Québec are at the heart of your plans.
The city is known for its markets, museums, festivals, street art and mix of French and North American influences. It is also a useful base for exploring more of Québec, including Outaouais and Québec City.
The London Gatwick to Montréal service is seasonal, however connections via Toronto are available year-round from London Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow.
Fly to Ottawa for city and nature
Ottawa is Canada’s capital and a good alternative to the country’s larger gateway cities.
It offers museums, national landmarks and historic attractions, while its location on the Ontario–Québec border makes it easy to combine the city with Gatineau and the Outaouais region.
This route particularly suits travellers who want to balance culture with cycling, woodland scenery, local food and spa time. Plus, with Air Transat’s newly launched direct seasonal flight from London Gatwick, Ottawa is closer than ever.
Can you fly elsewhere in Canada?
Air Transat also offers connecting flights to other Canadian and US destinations including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Quebec City thanks to its partnership with Porter. You can also explore Mexico, the Caribbean and South America thanks to Air Transat’s one-stop connections via Toronto and Montreal.
Why book a multi-city trip?
A multi-city flight allows you to arrive in one Canadian city and return from another.
We flew from London Gatwick to Toronto and returned from Montréal after travelling through Toronto, Ottawa, Outaouais and Montréal.
This worked well because we could continue travelling east instead of returning to Toronto purely to catch our flight home.
Possible routes include:
Toronto to Montréal: Add Niagara Falls, Ottawa and Outaouais between the two cities.
Ottawa to Toronto: Explore Canada’s capital before crossing into Québec and onwards to Ontario.
Montréal to Toronto: Begin with Québec’s food and culture before travelling west.
A multi-city fare may initially cost more than a standard return, but it can save time, another hotel stay and the cost of travelling back to your arrival city.
Do UK travellers need an eTA for Canada?
Most British citizens flying to Canada need an Electronic Travel Authorization, known as an eTA, rather than a visitor visa.
The eTA is linked electronically to your passport and is also required when transiting through a Canadian airport. Applications are made online through the official Government of Canada website and cost CAN$7.
Your eTA is linked to the passport used in the application. If you replace or renew your passport, you will need a new eTA.
Use the Government of Canada’s online checker to confirm whether you need an eTA, visa or another travel document. Avoid unofficial websites that may charge additional fees.
What should you check before booking?
Before confirming your flights, check:
Whether the route is seasonal
Whether the flight is direct
What baggage your fare includes
Your departure and arrival airports
Seat-selection options
Canadian entry requirements
Whether a multi-city trip would save you time
Air Transat advises passengers travelling on international flights to arrive for check-in at least three hours before departure.
Which route should you choose?
Choose Toronto for the broadest range of UK departure airports, Niagara Falls, bustling city vibes, stunning landscapes and onward connections.
Choose Montréal for food, culture and a wider Québec itinerary.
Choose Ottawa for Canada’s capital and easy access to Outaouais.
Our Toronto-to-Montréal itinerary made Canada feel much easier to explore. Rather than treating each flight as a simple return journey, the arrival and departure cities created the structure for the entire trip.
For more information about the cabins, seats, food and baggage options, read our separate guide to what it is really like to fly with Air Transat from the UK.
This article was created in partnership with Air Transat as part of the City Girl Guide to Canada.
