Winter 2026/27 Sun Fare Watch: Five Canadian Markets Worth Tracking Now
New winter 2026/27 capacity gives Canadian travellers fresh sun-trip options. Here are five markets worth putting on a fare alert in September.
Updated: September 7, 2026
Winter schedules are starting to get interesting. WestJet has announced new 2026/27 nonstop service linking Calgary with Mérida, Winnipeg with Belize City and Punta Cana, Regina with Los Cabos, and Ottawa with Liberia, Costa Rica. New capacity does not guarantee a cheap fare, but it can create useful new comparisons.
Calgary to Mérida
Mérida is the most interesting addition for travellers who want Mexico without making a resort the whole point. A weekly nonstop starting December 17 opens a direct path to Yucatán food, colonial streets and easy onward trips.
Winnipeg gets two new sun options
- Belize City service begins December 14, creating a gateway to islands, reefs and inland stays.
- Punta Cana service begins November 28, adding another direct Caribbean option for winter escapes.
Regina and Ottawa also gain warm-weather links
Regina to San José del Cabo begins December 14, while Ottawa to Liberia begins December 20. For travellers in those markets, a nonstop can change the real cost of a trip by removing a hotel night, connection risk or positioning flight.
How to watch these fares
Track the new nonstop and one realistic connecting alternative. Compare the full trip with baggage. If the nonstop drops close enough to the connecting fare, convenience may be the better deal even when the headline number is a little higher.
Quick questions
Do new routes always launch with low fares?
No. New capacity can improve competition, but pricing depends on demand and inventory.
Why set an alert now?
Because the first winter departures begin in late November and December, and September gives you time to understand the normal range before peak demand builds.
The lovely part
The best new route is not automatically the cheapest one. Sometimes the real win is arriving warm, rested and already in the place you wanted to be.
Keep exploring our Flight Deals guides for more current travel stuff.