Air Canada suspends Toronto, Montreal to JFK flights as jet fuel prices double

Air Canada will suspend all flights from Toronto and Montreal to JFK Airport from June 1 through October 25, 2026, as jet fuel prices doubled to $4.32 per gallon following Iran conflict-related supply disruptions. Passengers with bookings on these routes must rebook to LaGuardia or Newark—the airline maintains 34 daily flights to New York’s other airports from six Canadian cities.

The suspension affects travelers from Toronto Pearson and Montreal-Trudeau who specifically need JFK access. Alternative airports sit 15–26 kilometers from JFK, adding ground transfer time to Manhattan-bound itineraries.

Air Canada cuts JFK service as fuel costs render routes unprofitable

Air Canada announced Friday it will halt service from Toronto and Montreal to New York’s JFK International Airport for the peak summer travel season, citing jet fuel costs that have doubled since geopolitical tensions in Iran disrupted global supply chains. The suspension takes effect June 1 and runs through October 25—covering the entire summer vacation period when demand for US-Canada routes typically peaks.

The airline operated flights from Toronto Pearson and Montreal-Trudeau to JFK before the announcement. Service to the New York metropolitan area’s two other major airports—LaGuardia and Newark—will continue without interruption. Air Canada maintains 34 daily flights to those airports from six Canadian cities, providing alternative routing for affected passengers.

Jet fuel prices reached $4.32 per gallon on Thursday, up from $2.50 before the Iran conflict escalated, according to industry data. The airline confirmed it is reaching out to customers with impacted bookings to offer rebooking on remaining New York-area services or partner airlines. “As jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict and some lower profitability routes and flights are no longer economic, we are making schedule adjustments accordingly,” a spokesman for the Montreal-based carrier said Friday.

The move follows similar capacity cuts across the industry as fuel and labor costs—typically the two largest annual expenses for airlines—squeeze margins on routes with lower load factors. Industry filings show carriers are prioritizing high-yield routes and cutting frequencies where fuel costs now represent 35% or more of cost per available seat kilometer.

How fuel price shocks force route economics decisions

Airlines calculate route profitability using cost per available seat kilometer (CASK)—the total operating cost divided by capacity. Fuel typically represents 25–30% of CASK on short-haul routes under normal conditions. When fuel prices double, that share jumps to 35–40%, leaving little margin on routes where load factors (percentage of seats filled) run below 75%.

Short-haul routes like Toronto-JFK face additional pressure because fuel burn per passenger-kilometer is higher than on long-haul flights—aircraft spend proportionally more time in fuel-intensive takeoff and climb phases. A 90-minute flight burns roughly the same fuel in its first 15 minutes as it does in the following 60 minutes of cruise. When fuel costs spike, airlines prioritize longer routes where that fixed burn cost is amortized over more revenue-generating kilometers.

Air Canada previously reduced short-haul capacity during 2022 fuel price increases following the Ukraine invasion, cutting 10% of domestic and intra-North America frequencies in the third quarter of that year. Service returned to normal levels by early 2023 as prices stabilized. The current suspension differs in that it targets specific airport pairs rather than broad capacity reductions—a signal the airline expects elevated fuel costs to persist through the summer travel season.

The competitive picture on Toronto-New York routes remains robust despite Air Canada‘s JFK withdrawal. United Airlines operates over 50 weekly flights from Toronto to Newark using CRJ-700 and 737 aircraft, with seamless Star Alliance codeshare connections for Air Canada passengers. JetBlue maintains 21 weekly flights from Toronto to JFK using A320 and A321 aircraft, offering a low-cost alternative for travelers who specifically need JFK access. Porter Airlines operates 14 weekly flights from Toronto to LaGuardia with Q400 and Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, focusing on business travelers.

What to do if your flight is affected

The suspension covers bookings from June 1 through October 25, 2026—if your itinerary includes Toronto or Montreal to JFK during this window, action is required now.

• Check rebooking options: Visit aircanada.com/manage-trip with your booking reference. The airline is offering free rebooking to LaGuardia or Newark on Air Canada flights or Star Alliance partners like United Airlines. Newark offers the most frequent service—over 50 weekly flights from Toronto with seamless connections.
• Consider alternative carriers: If you specifically need JFK access, JetBlue operates 21 weekly flights from Toronto to JFK. Fares currently run $289–$340 CAD round-trip for June travel. Book directly at jetblue.com to compare pricing against Air Canada‘s LaGuardia/Newark options.
• Factor ground transfer time: LaGuardia sits 15 kilometers from JFK; Newark is 26 kilometers away. Budget 45–60 minutes for taxi or rideshare transfers if your final destination requires JFK proximity. Both airports offer direct rail connections to Manhattan—LaGuardia via Q70 bus to subway, Newark via AirTrain to NJ Transit.
• Review passenger rights: Under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations, passengers receive automatic refund or rebooking for cancellations announced more than 14 days in advance. No compensation is owed unless cancellation occurs within 14 days of departure. Contact Air Canada customer service if rebooking options don’t meet your needs—full refunds are available for affected bookings.

Watch: Industry analysts are monitoring jet fuel price indices through late April—if prices remain above $4.50 per gallon, expect additional route suspensions from Air Canada and competitors on marginal short-haul routes. If prices drop below $4.00, the airline may announce early resumption of JFK service before the scheduled October 25 restart date.