Canadian Travelers Shun U.S. Destinations Amid Growing Trade Tensions

Airlines see substantial seat reductions to the U.S. as a Canadian boycott unfolds, signaling deepening economic divides.

As tensions rise between Canada and the United States, several airlines have begun cutting back on available flights to U.S. destinations, predicting a significant drop in bookings from Canadian travelers. This shift comes as an ongoing effort by Canadians to boycott American products and tourist attractions gains momentum, triggered by President Trump’s recent trade policies.

In April, a time typically characterized by an influx of Canadian tourists heading south for warmer climates, airlines are seeing sharp reductions in capacity. Data from Visual Approach Analytics reveals a decrease of 7% in seat availability by Air Canada and an alarming 25% reduction by discount carrier Flair Airlines. “Our analysis shows a clear trend: Canadians are opting to book trips away from the U.S.,” noted Courtney Miller, managing director of Visual Approach Analytics.

Consequently, travel agencies in Canada have had to pivot their marketing strategies robustly. Flemming Friisdahl, CEO of The Travel Agent Next Door, stated that they have halted all promotions related to travel to the U.S. due to customer backlash. This unforeseen consequence of escalating trade relations presents a concerning outlook for the U.S. travel industry as it braces for potential losses amounting to billions.