Low-Cost Airlines In Canada: What Are Your Options (And Are They Worth It)?

Looking for low-cost airlines in Canada? While budget travel options have taken a hit in recent years, there are still several cheap airlines flying to and from Canada, including routes to the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean. We’ll break down your best options for low-cost carriers, what they offer, and if they’re actually worth it in this guide.

What is a low-cost airline?

Think of a low-cost airline as a no-frills carrier. Unlike bigger airlines that provide upgrades, Wi-Fi, meals, entertainment, and more, you won’t get any of these features with a budget carrier. This is because low-cost airlines strive to offer the cheapest rates for getting passengers from point A to point B, which means very few perks.

Southwest was the pioneer of this airline model in the 1970s, but competition has popped up since then. Nowadays, low-cost carriers:

• Operate one type of plane
• Don’t have free in-flight services
• Have limited in-flight entertainment
• Charge for baggage (possibly including carry-ons)
• Do not offer a frequent flyer program
• Have 1 class of cabin

You should also be aware that you may not be flying into or out of a major airport, so please pay attention when making your booking.

Best low-cost airlines in Canada

In addition to Canadian-based low-cost airlines, you can find international airlines that operate flights to/from Canada.

Air Canada Rouge

Air Canada Rouge describes itself as a low-cost carrier, but it’s essentially Air Canada with a different paint job, closer seats, and stripped-down cabin comforts. As far as low-cost carriers go, AC Rouge provides a lot. You can choose between 2 cabin classes, participate in the Aeroplan program with all its benefits, and, since you book through Air Canada’s site, you may not exclusively travel with Rouge on your trip.

Rouge generally operates between holiday destinations in the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean. In the summer months, they also fly select routes within Canada.

Pros:

• Flies to vacation destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean

Cons:

• Charge for checked bags
• Charge for seat selection

What passengers say:

Many Redditors said Air Canada Rouge is pretty much Air Canada, but with smaller seats.

However, people disliked having their flights switched from an AC plane to Rouge.

Flair

Flair started out as an all-cargo airline in 2005, but rebranded as Flair Airlines in 2017, expanding its service route and operating from Edmonton, Abbotsford, Vancouver, Kitchener, Toronto, and Ottawa, to destinations across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

Of the low-cost airlines in Canada, Flair has more than its share of fees. Be prepared to pay extra for almost any aspect of your flight.

Pros:

• Flies within Canada and select destinations in the U.S. and Mexico

Cons:

• Charge for checked bags
• Charge for overhead bin access
• Charge for seat selection
• Charge for airport check-in

What passengers say:

We’ll be honest—it’s a lot harder to find positive experiences with Flair on Reddit than other low-cost airlines.

Redditors frequently mentioned that Flair cancelled their flights, was unavailable to address customer service needs, and was generally unreliable.

However, as some have pointed out, you get what you pay for, and Flair is a cheap option if you don’t plan on flying with much baggage.

How low are low-cost airline prices?

Sometimes, the best way to find a low-cost airline is to play around with fares and routes. We’ve given you a head start by researching some of the most popular airline routes with one-way fares based on 1 passenger.

All prices and destinations listed are accurate as of April 2025.

Flying with a low-cost airline in Canada

We’ve mentioned it a few times, but it bears repeating: low-cost airlines are cheap, but bare bones.

Expect to pay for things like bringing a carry-on bag or selecting your seats. Got extra baggage you want to check? Be prepared to pay for that, too. You won’t be served meals or drinks during the flight.

However, Air Canada Rouge has started offering a new fare class. With Premium Rouge, you’ll get priority check-in, more seat room, select access to Maple Leaf Lounges, and free meals or snacks depending on your flight length. Oh, and you’ll also get free Wi-Fi if you’re an Aeroplan member.

Are low-cost airlines reliable?

Spend a few minutes reading airline reviews or checking TrustPilot scores, and you’ll quickly see that low-cost airlines aren’t known for their reliability. Part of the reason flights are delayed, rescheduled, or cancelled is because these airlines don’t have the same capacity and route map to quickly adjust to travel conditions or customers’ needs.

Unlike larger airlines that can call on partners to help with flight disruptions, smaller low-cost airlines typically don’t have an extensive network to draw upon. This can leave customers stuck, while the airline scrambles to reroute flights.

Although you can snag some fantastic deals, you might not want to fly a budget carrier if you’re on a tight schedule or can’t afford a flight delay.

Why low-cost airlines struggle in Canada

As airlines make adjustments to their travel routes to meet travellers’ needs and budgets, you’ll notice there aren’t as many low-cost offerings. Lynx, Swoop, Canada Jetlines, and Sunwing have all either folded or been integrated into larger airlines. Even Flair, one of the last low-cost airlines, is in talks to restructure its debt, which includes back taxes, aircraft repossessions, and backer fraud.

There are a few distinct challenges that low-cost airlines face:

• Smaller route network: Low-cost airlines simply can’t compete with the big airlines that have vast routes and international partnerships.
• Limited aircraft options: Instead of calling on an extensive fleet of aircraft to customize routes and coverage, low-cost airlines typically have smaller fleets with just 1 or 2 aircraft types. This can prevent them from making adjustments based on traveller needs.
• Lack of membership programs: Low-cost airlines struggle to compete with large airlines and their global partnerships, which offer membership rewards such as discounts and luxurious perks.
• Price-matching competition: Large airlines are in a better position to match low fares on several of their popular routes, thereby pulling travellers away from low-cost airlines.
• Seasonal and geographic challenges: Canada’s airline needs are unique since there’s extensive space between populated areas (which are close to the U.S. border, where competing budget airlines operate). Additionally, Canada’s air travel typically peaks in the summer months, which can lead to airlines struggling during the winter months.

FAQ

What is the best low-cost airline?

The best low-cost airline depends on what you’re looking for. In terms of cheapest flights, Flair typically wins, but their flight availability isn’t as great as WestJet. If you can’t find a cheap flight through a low cost airline like Air Canada Rouge or Porter, chances are, WestJet can get you there.

Which is the best domestic airline in Canada?

Air Canada is frequently named number 1 by Skytrax for its great customer service, business service, and helpful staff. It also helps that Air Canada offers extensive routes and partners with over 50 airlines.

Is WestJet a budget airline?

Most travellers consider WestJet to be a budget airline. It offers some of the lowest fares around and doesn’t provide as many perks or creature comforts as other major airlines.

What is a budget airline?

A budget airline is a carrier that prioritizes low prices instead of customer services and perks. For instance, you might pay a rock-bottom fare, but be charged for each additional service you want, like checked bags, Wi-Fi, airport check-in, or printed boarding passes.