Air Transat: The Canadian Leisure Carrier That Bets on Comfort, Not the Lowest Price

History and positioning

Founded in 1986 and controlled by the Transat A.T. group, Air Transat positions itself halfway between a charter carrier and a scheduled leisure airline, an intermediate model that sets it apart both from the big national networks and from the North American ultra low-cost carriers.

The fleet

The fleet is made up of Airbus A321LRs and A321neos for medium-haul routes and Airbus A330s for the longest transatlantic links, with a gradual renewal that has progressively replaced the previous generation of aircraft.

Routes and network

The network, with its main hub at Montréal-Trudeau, is built around two seasons: the Caribbean and Mexico in winter, Europe in summer, in a model typical of North American leisure airlines.

Fares and baggage

Besides basic Economy, Air Transat offers an Economy Club with more space and services and a higher Club class, appreciated above all on transatlantic routes of several hours. The lowest fares still carry extra charges for baggage and seat selection.

What passengers say

The comparison with the North American ultra low-cost carriers often works in the airline's favor.

• Onboard service judged better than the average of North American leisure airlines.
• Club class appreciated on transatlantic routes of several hours.

• Delays concentrated in seasonal peak periods, winter holidays and summer.
• Cancellation handling judged slow in communicating alternatives.

Air Transat suits travelers who want a higher level of comfort than the ultra low-cost carriers for a sun holiday or a flight to Europe, without paying the full price of the big network airlines. Anyone who needs maximum flexibility on last-minute changes and cancellations should look carefully at the conditions of the fare they choose, because penalties vary a great deal between fare classes. Choosing Economy Club over the basic fare, when the price difference is small, noticeably reduces the risk of surprises in extra charges.