Mallorca is emerging as one of the beneficiaries of Canada’s pullback from U.S. travel, with Air Canada’s new nonstop Montreal–Palma route tapping into growing demand for European vacations.
The seasonal service launched on June 17, 2026, and is scheduled to operate through late October. Demand has been strong enough for Air Canada to increase capacity and use larger aircraft, helped by Canadian cyclists, eclipse travelers and a broader shift toward Europe.
That shift is not happening in isolation. Canadian travelers made 7.1 million fewer trips to the United States in 2025, redirecting billions of dollars toward domestic trips and overseas destinations. U.S. travel spending by Canadians fell by around C$3.3 billion compared with 2024.
The pullback has been linked to tariffs, political tensions and President Donald Trump’s repeated comments about Canada becoming part of the United States. What began as a political reaction has become a measurable tourism trend, with Europe and other international markets competing for spending that once flowed south across the border.
Mallorca is particularly well positioned to benefit. The island already attracts large numbers of European visitors, but direct access from Montreal gives it a stronger foothold in the Canadian market without requiring travelers to connect through another European hub.
Air Canada is also seeing a broader change in when premium passengers travel. Chief Commercial Officer Mark Galardo said September and October could become the strongest fall months for revenue in the airline’s history.
Business-class demand is growing for Italy, Spain, France, the wider Mediterranean and Japan, particularly among travelers who prefer to avoid peak summer heat, crowds and higher prices.
The shift is pushing what was once considered shoulder season closer to a second peak. Air Canada has already added more leisure-oriented European flying, including Mallorca and Sicily, and expects spring and fall to play a larger role as new aircraft join the fleet.
Extreme summer weather is reinforcing that behavior. Heatwaves, drought and wildfires have made parts of Europe less comfortable during July and August, while Japan has also experienced temperatures above 40C.
For Mallorca, that creates an opportunity to spread demand into September and October while attracting higher-spending North American visitors.
The Canadian boycott also illustrates how political tensions are reshaping international travel patterns far beyond the countries directly involved. Money not spent in U.S. hotels, restaurants and attractions does not simply disappear – much of it is being redirected elsewhere.
Mallorca now has a direct route positioned to capture part of that shift. If Air Canada’s strong first season continues, the island could become one of the clearest European examples of how Canada’s changing travel habits are creating winners as well as losers.
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