Air Canada suspends all Toronto and Montreal JFK flights due to soaring jet fuel costs

Quick summary

Air Canada will suspend all four daily flights from Toronto and Montreal to New York’s JFK Airport starting June 1, 2026, through October 25, 2026, citing jet fuel costs that have doubled to approximately $4.30 per gallon since the Iran conflict began. Passengers holding bookings on routes AC585, AC587 (Toronto-JFK) or AC493, AC891 (Montreal-JFK) during this period must contact the airline for rebooking to Newark or LaGuardia, or request full refunds.

The airline will maintain 34 daily flights to New York’s two other major airports from six Canadian cities. Jet fuel prices have risen roughly 110% since early 2026, forcing the carrier to cut routes where revenue no longer covers operating costs.

Air Canada cuts JFK service as fuel costs breach profitability threshold

Air Canada confirmed the suspension affects two daily departures from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and two from Montreal-Trudeau (YUL) — all operated with Airbus A220 aircraft on the 550-kilometer shorthaul routes. The airline cited jet fuel prices that have climbed from around $2.00 per gallon in January 2026 to over $4.30 per gallon by mid-April, a cost spike directly linked to Middle East refinery disruptions and tanker blockages through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict and some lower-profitability routes and flights are no longer economic,” the airline stated. Passengers with existing bookings will receive automatic notifications offering rebooking on Air Canada flights to Newark (EWR) or LaGuardia (LGA), or full refunds if no suitable alternative exists.

JFK serves as a secondary New York gateway for the carrier compared to Newark, where Air Canada operates 14 weekly widebody flights with stronger corporate traffic and Star Alliance hub connectivity. The airline will continue operating 18 weekly flights from Toronto to Newark and multiple daily frequencies to LaGuardia from both Canadian cities. Official schedule adjustments take effect June 1.

Current economy roundtrip fares from Toronto to JFK sit at CAD 456 for mid-June travel, up 20% from the typical CAD 380, while Montreal-JFK fares have risen to CAD 412 from a baseline of CAD 350. LaGuardia alternatives from Toronto currently price at CAD 428, roughly 6% below JFK equivalents.

Fuel crisis forces network reoptimization across shorthaul routes

The suspension follows similar capacity cuts by European carriers facing the same fuel cost pressures. Britain’s easyJet reported lagging bookings, while Germany’s Lufthansa became the first major carrier to ground aircraft specifically due to elevated jet fuel costs. Wizz Air has projected a €50 million annual profit hit from the fuel spike.

Jet fuel prices have increased from a range of $2.00–$2.20 per gallon to $4.20–$4.50 per gallon in recent weeks — a financial hit for an industry where fuel accounts for up to 25% of operating expenses. The International Energy Agency warned that European refiners face potential jet fuel shortages by June if the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, though recent diplomatic signals suggest a ceasefire agreement may be near.

Canada remains largely self-sufficient in jet fuel, producing 80% of domestic needs and importing most of the remainder from U.S. northeast refineries. However, Canadian airlines face indirect impacts through overseas route consolidations and the need to carry additional fuel reserves when return-trip refueling becomes uncertain.

What to do if your flight is affected

The suspension removes direct JFK access for travelers who prefer that airport’s terminal facilities and ground transportation options — here is the priority order for protecting your trip.

• Existing bookings June 1–October 25: Call Air Canada at 1-888-247-2262 within 24 hours to request rebooking on Toronto-Newark or Montreal-LaGuardia flights, or request a full refund if your travel dates are inflexible. The airline must offer rebooking on the next available flight or provide a complete refund under Canadian passenger protection regulations.
• Planning new trips for summer 2026: Book Toronto-Newark on United Airlines (18 weekly flights) or Montreal-JFK on Delta (21 weekly flights) immediately — availability has already dropped 15% on these routes as displaced passengers rebook. Use Google Flights to compare LaGuardia alternatives, which currently price 6% below JFK equivalents.
• Flexible on New York airport: Consider LaGuardia service from Toronto via Porter Airlines (14 weekly flights with complimentary Wi-Fi) or Newark via Air Canada widebody service. Both airports offer direct ground transportation to Manhattan, though travel times run 15–30 minutes longer than from JFK.
• Need passenger rights guidance: Visit the Canadian Transportation Agency website for details on rebooking rights and refund timelines applicable to your specific situation. Passengers departing from Canada are entitled to rebooking or full refunds when the airline cancels flights.

Watch: Air Canada’s Q2 2026 earnings release on May 8 will reveal whether fuel hedging coverage remains below 60% — if so, expect additional shorthaul U.S. route cuts through fall. Also monitor JFK slot renewal filings due by June 15; failure to file for summer 2027 would signal a permanent shift to Newark and LaGuardia focus.

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