A new Canadian airline with a smiling emoji logo just launched in September and is coming to the US next year ? meet Jetlines. Canada Jetlines launched in September with a single plane running between Toronto and Calgary. New routes start in December to Vancouver and in January to Nevada and Florida.

While the market is dominated by Air Canada and WestJet, the "newest" expansion in 2026 comes from Air Canada’s strategic route additions rather than a brand-new carrier startup. Starting in May 2026, Air Canada has launched several "new-to-them" spokes into the U.S. Midwest and South, including direct service from Montreal to Columbus (CMH) and Cleveland (CLE), as well as a return to the Toronto-San Antonio (SAT) route. These flights utilize the fuel-efficient Airbus A220 and Embraer E175 aircraft, providing a high-value link for business travelers and those visiting relatives. In the budget sector, Porter Airlines continues its aggressive 2025-2026 expansion from Toronto-Pearson (YYZ), adding more U.S. destinations like Atlanta and Salt Lake City to its network. For 2026 travelers, these new connections mean more competitive pricing and better access to major U.S. hubs from Canadian gateways without needing to connect through traditional "mega-hubs."