Toronto to Tenerife non-stop: Air Canada from 25 October

A Historic First: North America Flies Direct to the Canary Islands

With its winter 2026/2027 schedule, Air Canada is making aviation history: for the first time ever, there will be a non-stop connection between the North American continent and the Canary Islands. According to the Air Canada press release (Air Canada), flights depart from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from 25 October 2026 and from Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) from 31 October 2026, both landing at Tenerife South (TFS). The season runs through late April 2027, offering a complete winter bridge between Canada and the island of eternal spring.

A total of three weekly flights are planned: two from Toronto (Thursdays and Sundays) and one from Montréal (Saturdays). In 2025, more than 38,000 passengers travelled from Canada and the United States to Tenerife — all with a stopover. That changes next winter, making Tenerife significantly more accessible to North American travellers and likely boosting interest in Gran Canaria real estate and the wider Canary Islands tourism market.

Flight Schedule: All Connections at a Glance

The two routes complement each other well: travellers from the Toronto area have two departure days per week, while Montréal's Saturday flight offers a classic weekend start. Bookings are already open via aircanada.com.

The Aircraft: Airbus A321XLR — Next Generation

Air Canada is deploying the Airbus A321XLR on these new long-haul routes — the world's newest and most efficient narrow-body aircraft. The "Extra Long Range" variant offers a range of up to 8,700 km, making transatlantic narrow-body direct flights possible for the first time. The cabin seats 182 passengers: 14 in Signature Class (business) and 168 in Economy.

The A321XLR burns roughly 50 percent less fuel per seat than older long-haul jets and produces correspondingly less CO₂ — a meaningful advantage for a destination like Tenerife that is increasingly focused on sustainable tourism. This new technology makes thin transatlantic routes economically viable without needing a wide-body aircraft.

What It Means for Tourism and Expats in the Canary Islands

Dimple Melwani, CEO of Tenerife Tourism, described the announcement as "a strategic boost consolidating Tenerife as a global reference." Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President of Air Canada, called it "the only non-stop service from North America to the island of eternal spring." The symbolic and economic significance is hard to overstate: Tenerife now comes within direct reach of millions of Canadians, with no connection in London, Madrid or Amsterdam required.

For the growing expat community across the Canary Islands, the new route opens practical doors: Canadian citizens living in Tenerife, Gran Canaria or other islands can now fly home without a stopover. North American property buyers who were previously put off by the lack of direct access may also find renewed interest in Gran Canaria real estate. With over 300 sunny days a year, Gran Canaria weather has always been a compelling draw — now accessibility matches the climate.

Outlook: Tenerife as a Hub for North America

The new Air Canada route is more than a single airline connection — it could become the catalyst for repositioning the Canary Islands in the North American travel market. Tenerife traditionally serves as the gateway to the archipelago: from there, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Palma are all easily accessible. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Maspalomas and other popular Canary Islands destinations stand to benefit indirectly once North American visitors start using Tenerife as their base.

Industry observers expect that a successful Air Canada season could prompt other US and Canadian carriers to consider their own direct routes to the Canary Islands. For an archipelago that wants to diversify its tourism mix and reduce dependence on traditional European source markets, this represents a strategic opportunity. The Canary Islands welcome around 16 million tourists annually — the North American segment has historically been well below its potential.

For more on living and investing in the Canary Islands, see our coverage of the Gran Canaria real estate market and year-round mild Gran Canaria weather.