Air Canada suspends all Toronto, Montreal to JFK flights due to doubled jet fuel costs

Air Canada will suspend all flights from Toronto and Montreal to JFK Airport from June 1 through October 25 as jet fuel prices doubled from $2.50 to $4.32 per gallon following the Iran conflict. The airline operated 4 daily flights on these routes (3 from Toronto, 1 from Montreal) and will redirect passengers to LaGuardia and Newark airports, 15–26 kilometers away, while maintaining 34 daily flights to the New York metro area from six Canadian cities.

Passengers with existing bookings must rebook to alternate airports by June 1. United and American Airlines continue operating Toronto–JFK service at fares $50–100 higher than Air Canada’s pre-suspension pricing.

Air Canada cuts JFK service as fuel crisis forces route rationalization

Air Canada announced April 17 it will eliminate all service between Toronto and Montreal to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport for nearly five months, citing jet fuel costs that have doubled since the Iran conflict began disrupting global energy supplies. The suspension runs June 1 through October 25 and affects passengers with current bookings and travelers planning summer trips to New York.

The airline operated 1 daily flight from Montreal and 3 daily flights from Toronto to JFK prior to the suspension. These routes served primarily as connecting points for passengers transferring to other carriers and international destinations rather than origin-destination traffic.

Jet fuel prices climbed from $2.50 per gallon before the Iran conflict to $4.32 per gallon as of April 16, according to Argus Media pricing data. For a long-haul flight carrying 275,000 pounds of fuel, the price increase adds approximately $30,000 in fuel costs per flight — a margin collapse that makes lower-yield routes economically unsustainable.

Air Canada will maintain 34 daily flights to the New York metro area via LaGuardia and Newark airports from six Canadian cities during the suspension period. LaGuardia sits 15 kilometers from JFK, while Newark is 26 kilometers away — adding 30–45 minutes and $45–100 in ground transfer costs for passengers rebooked to these alternate airports.

International Energy Agency Director Fatih Birol warned April 16 that Europe has “maybe six weeks” of remaining jet fuel supplies and described the situation as the global economy’s “largest energy crisis.” The statement underscores the severity of supply constraints affecting airlines worldwide, though oil prices dropped more than 10% on April 17 after Iran announced the Strait of Hormuz remains open for commercial tankers.

The airline’s official statement cited fuel economics as the primary driver: “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.” Affected customers will receive direct contact from Air Canada with alternative travel options before the June 1 suspension date.

Competitors maintain JFK service as Air Canada cedes market share

United Airlines operates 2 daily flights from Toronto to JFK and 1 daily flight from Montreal to JFK using Boeing 737-900 and 787-9 aircraft. The carrier has not announced schedule changes and continues accepting bookings through October at fares ranging $390–550 for round-trip economy — $50–100 higher than Air Canada’s pre-suspension pricing of $380–520.

American Airlines maintains 1 daily flight from Toronto to JFK using Airbus A321 aircraft, with no Montreal service. Fares currently range $410–580 for round-trip economy. Delta Air Lines operates 3 daily flights from Toronto to JFK and has not indicated any schedule adjustments.

The competitive picture suggests Air Canada is prioritizing network profitability over market share during the fuel crisis. While competitors absorb displaced demand at premium fares, Air Canada maintains its broader New York metro presence through LaGuardia and Newark — airports where the airline operates higher-frequency service with better load factors.

Industry analysts note the suspension follows a pattern of airlines cutting lower-yield routes during fuel price spikes. Air Canada last made major JFK capacity cuts during COVID-19 in March 2020, suspending all transatlantic and transborder service for four months. Recovery was gradual, with Toronto–JFK resuming at reduced 5x weekly frequency by October 2020. Full pre-pandemic capacity returned by Q2 2022.

The current suspension differs from pandemic-era cuts — driven by fuel economics rather than demand collapse, suggesting permanent route rationalization rather than temporary disruption. Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic have already doubled fuel surcharges on transatlantic routes, adding €70–100 per round trip, signaling industry-wide cost pressures.

What to do if your flight is affected

The suspension takes effect in 45 days — passengers with existing bookings must act before June 1 to secure preferred rebooking options.

• Existing Air Canada bookings (June 1–October 25): Contact Air Canada immediately at 1-888-247-2262 or visit ac.com/flight-status to confirm rebooking to LaGuardia or Newark. Request earliest available flight to minimize ground transfer time. US DOT rules require Air Canada to provide rebooking on competing carriers at no additional cost or full refund for cancelled flights.
• Planning new Toronto–JFK or Montreal–JFK trips (June–October): Book United Airlines (2x daily Toronto–JFK) or American Airlines (1x daily Toronto–JFK) directly at united.com or aa.com. Expect $390–550 round-trip economy fares — $50–100 higher than Air Canada’s pre-suspension pricing. Budget $45–100 for ground transfer if rebooked to LaGuardia or Newark.
• Current Air Canada bookings to LaGuardia or Newark: No action needed. Air Canada maintains 34 daily flights to these airports from six Canadian cities. Your flight is unaffected by the JFK suspension.
• Compensation eligibility: Passengers entitled to compensation if rebooking causes arrival delay exceeding 3 hours — up to $775 USD depending on distance under US DOT rules. Rebooking to LaGuardia or Newark with ground transfer does not trigger compensation if arrival time within 3 hours of original JFK arrival.

Watch: Competitor announcements in late April regarding Toronto–JFK and Montreal–JFK capacity additions will signal whether Air Canada’s market share loss is permanent. Also monitor May 1 IEA jet fuel supply update — if Europe’s six-week reserve depletes faster than forecast, expect additional North American route suspensions from Air Canada, WestJet, and US carriers by mid-May.