Access selected deals available with budget and full-service airlines
Lock any airfare that sounds great. You don’t lose anything if you cancel it
Call us anytime for any assistance. We do not go into hibernation
Your personal and financial information stays secure with us
Flair Airlines is Canada’s leading ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC), headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, with key operational decisions made in Vancouver, where half its executive team, including CEO Stephen Jones, is based. Founded on August 19, 2005, as Flair Air, the airline initially focused on charter and cargo services before transitioning to scheduled passenger flights in 2017 after acquiring the assets of discount travel company NewLeaf. Operating a fleet of 20 Boeing 737 aircraft, Flair serves 35 destinations across Canada, the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean, including major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Cancun. With a “Plane and Simple” branding ethos, Flair emphasizes affordable, unbundled fares, allowing passengers to customize their travel experience by paying only for desired services like baggage or seat selection. Despite its low-cost model, Flair holds a Skytrax Three-Star rating but faces significant customer dissatisfaction due to service issues.
Flair Air began as a privately owned charter operator, providing workforce transportation for Canadian natural resource and construction companies. In January 2006, it received Transport Canada approval to operate cargo and passenger services for Cubana de Aviación between Canada and Cuba, using two Boeing 727-200s. By 2008, Flair transitioned to Boeing 737-400s, retiring the 727s, and added a fifth 737-400 by 2015. In 2014, it briefly operated a VIP Embraer ERJ-175 and Dornier 328, both retired by 2016.
In June 2017, Flair acquired NewLeaf’s assets, shifting to scheduled low-cost flights and retiring the NewLeaf brand by July 25, 2017. The airline rebranded as Flair Airlines, unveiling a magenta and blue livery and new uniforms in September 2019. In February 2020, Flair introduced a 90-day unlimited travel pass, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the retirement of its last 737-400s in August 2020. In January 2021, backed by financing partner 777 Partners, Flair ordered 13 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, with eight delivered by summer 2021 and the rest by 2022, aiming for a 50-aircraft fleet by 2026. In March 2023, lessor Airborne Capital seized four aircraft (one 737-800, three 737 MAX 8s) over alleged non-payments of $1.8 million, though Flair claimed it owed only $1 million and accused competitors of orchestrating the seizure. Despite this, Flair maintained operations using its remaining fleet.
In 2024, Flair faced a $67 million tax bill from the Canada Revenue Agency and a $25 million payment dispute with Peoples Group, prompting schedule tweaks to focus on high-demand sun destinations like Cancun (up 435%) and Puerto Vallarta (up 136%). In 2025, Flair added routes to Fort Lauderdale and San Francisco, reinforcing its transborder expansion.
Flair operates 20 Boeing 737s (six 737-800s, 14 737 MAX 8s), configured with 186–189 economy seats in a 3-3 layout, with an average fleet age of 7 years. The 737 MAX 8s, featuring fuel-efficient CFM LEAP engines, reduce emissions by 14% compared to older models. Aircraft are sourced from various lessors, with some configured for prior operators like Air Europa and Smartwings, offering USB-A charging but no seat recline or inflight entertainment systems. Flair’s bases include Edmonton (YEG), Vancouver (YVR), Calgary (YYC), Toronto (YYZ), and Waterloo (YKF), with flights to 35 destinations, including Canadian cities (e.g., Halifax, Winnipeg), U.S. leisure spots (e.g., Las Vegas, Orlando), and sun destinations like Cancun and Montego Bay.
Flair operates 200 weekly flights, with fares starting at $29 CAD for domestic routes. Its unbundled model charges for extras: carry-on bags ($45–$80), checked bags ($35–$60), and seat selection ($10–$45). Codeshares with WestJet and interline agreements via Flair Connect Virtual Interlining enhance connectivity, though cancellations and delays, especially on international routes, have drawn scrutiny. Flair’s On-Time Guarantee aims for 85% punctuality but is often undermined by high aircraft utilization and limited backup planes.