Air Canada Suspends Flights to JFK, Raises Baggage Fees Due to Soaring Fuel Costs

Air Canada says it will halt flights to New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and raise baggage fees on some flights due to surging fuel costs.

Flights to the airport from Toronto and Montreal will be suspended between June 1 and Oct. 25, the airline said. Baggage fees on flights in the basic economy class will also rise, from $35 to $45 for the first checked bag on domestic flights and those bound for the United States and sun destinations.

Air Canada said jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the U.S. and Israel-led conflict in Iran, making some routes less economically viable.

Canada’s refineries process about 1.6 million barrels of crude oil per day across all petroleum products, including jet fuel, gasoline, and diesel, giving the airline some insulation from supply disruptions.

However, fuel prices remain tied to global commodity markets, with airlines purchasing jet fuel through contracts linked to market indexes regardless of where it is produced.

Still, Canada sources much of its jet fuel domestically or from the U.S. Gulf Coast and Pacific Northwest, reducing exposure to long-haul import risks from regions such as the Middle East.

Addressing concerns about the impact of flight suspensions on passengers, Air Canada said it will adjust schedules.

Based on current published schedules between Toronto Pearson Airport and JFK, there are roughly 49 weekly flights between the two hubs in each direction. Air Canada’s suspension would remove up to 21 weekly departures during the peak summer period, depending on day-to-day scheduling.

During this period, the route would be served primarily by Delta Air Lines and American Airlines.

Air Canada also operates the only consistent nonstop Montreal–JFK service, with daily flights. Otherwise, service between Montreal and JFK is limited, with Delta and American operating seasonal or connecting itineraries rather than sustained daily nonstop flights on the route.

Of New York City’s three major airports, all three serve Canadian cities, with most Canada–New York routes operating through LaGuardia Airport, at roughly 120 to 150 weekly flights. This is followed by JFK Airport with about 100 to 130 weekly flights, and Newark Liberty International Airport with roughly 70 to 100 weekly flights.

Broken down by city, Toronto has 60 to 70 weekly flights to LaGuardia, around 49 to JFK, and roughly 55 to 70 to Newark. Montreal has 20 to 30 weekly flights to LaGuardia, around seven to 10 to JFK, and roughly 10 to 15 to Newark.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.