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What are the Top Canadian Airlines

Air travel has become the most convenient, safe, and preferred means of transportation in the developed world. However, not all companies have managed to grow and remain in business. A combination of factors explains the success of some carriers: good service, dependability, scope of scheduled passenger services, flights to major international destinations, and steadfast reputation. Of all Canadian airline carriers, Air Canada, Air Transat, CanJet, Porter Airlines, and WestJet are the most established companies on the domestic market and abroad.

Air Canada is known as the largest passenger services’ provider, offering flights to major destinations worldwide. The airline company serves more than 32 million passengers per year, flying Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, Canadair, and De Havilland airplanes. Together with its partner Jazz, Air Canada operates 335 airplanes altogether. The fleet offers passenger service to more than 170 destinations worldwide.

Air Transat is a major Canadian charter carrier which operates flights to 60 international destinations in 25 states. The major holiday travel carrier of Canada services approximately 3 million passengers per year, flying to destinations in Canada, Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, the Caribbean, and Mexico. The Montreal-based branch of Air Transat is actively engaged with air transportation and distribution. At present, the company distributes products in more than 50 countries.

Based in Halifax, CanJet started operations in 1999 as a branch of IMP Group Limited. The company is a low-budget charter airline, utilizing a fleet of 11 Boeing aircraft. CanJet operates flights from Halifax International Airport and serves fifteen destinations in Canada and USA. Onboard, the provider offers complimentary non-alcoholic drinks and meals. Onboard entertainment may be purchased for $3 CAD. Passengers flying on South-bound flights are offered a glass of champagne free-of-charge.

Porter Airlines is a Canadian regional airline carrier headquartered in Toronto. The company runs flights from the Billy Bishop Toronto City Centre Airport (Toronto Island Airport) to Boston, Chicago, Halifax, Moncton, Montreal, Mt. Tremblant, Myrtle Beach, New York, Ottawa, Québec City, St. John's NL, Sudbury and Thunder Bay. The fleet of Porter Airlines consists of 20 aircraft (Bombardier Dash). Onboard, the carrier offers complementary soft drinks, beer, wine, and snacks. Porter Airlines also runs the VIPorter reward program whereby reward points are redeemed for free travel miles. As of 2009, the company’s airport operations met the opposition of Toronto’s mayor, together with some city councilors and community groups.

WestJet is a low-budget carrier offering flights to destinations in Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, and the United States. The airline operates flights from the Calgary International Airport and the Toronto Pearson International Airport to 69 destinations around the world. Its fleet consists of 11 Boeing 737 - 800, 64 Boeing 737 - 700, and 13 Boeing 737 - 600 or 88 aircraft altogether. In terms of in-flight entertainment, the company offers Live TV on its Boeing -800 and -700 aircraft. Snacks, sandwiches, and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase onboard. The meal service also includes complementary non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.