Canadians planning summer travel early, domestic trips increase: study

New booking data from FlightHub reveals that Canadians are already locking in their summer travel plans – and doing so in significantly higher numbers than last year.

Between March 1 and April 21, bookings surged by 36 per cent compared to the same period in 2025, signalling a strong start to the 2026 travel season.

This early spike in activity highlights not just when Canadians are booking, but also how their travel preferences are evolving.

 A notable shift toward domestic destinations is emerging, with more travellers opting to explore closer to home rather than heading abroad.

Domestic travel on the rise

One of the most striking trends in the data is the growing popularity of domestic travel.

Early bookings for trips within Canada increased from 36 per cent in 2025 to 44 per cent in 2026—an eight percentage point jump. In contrast, travel to the United States saw a slight decline, dropping from 14 per cent to 13 per cent.

This shift appears to be influenced in part by rising airfare, particularly for U.S. routes, encouraging travellers to prioritize destinations within Canada.

The data suggests that convenience, cost considerations, and perhaps a renewed interest in local exploration are shaping travel decisions this year.

Ontario takes the lead

Regionally, Ontario has emerged as the most popular destination for domestic travellers, overtaking other provinces.

Alberta and British Columbia follow closely behind, rounding out the top three.

In terms of specific routes, Toronto to Calgary has become the most booked domestic flight, replacing last year’s top route of Toronto to Vancouver, says FlightHub.

The change points to a growing demand for travel to Alberta, possibly driven by its mix of urban attractions and access to outdoor experiences.

Travellers undeterred by rising costs

Despite higher prices across the board, Canadians are continuing to book early, indicating strong travel intent, says FlightHub.

Domestic airfare rose by 15 per cent, with average round-trip prices increasing from $254 in 2025 to $293 in 2026.

The increase is even more pronounced for U.S. travel, where average fares jumped 35 per cent, from $324 to $437.

While these rising costs may be influencing destination choices, they have not significantly dampened overall demand.

Millennials lead the way

Millennials remain the dominant group among travellers, accounting for 31 per cent of bookings in 2026 at FlightHub.

Generation X follows closely at 29 per cent, showing that mid-career travellers are also actively planning their summer trips well in advance.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.