Canadian snowbirds and Yucatán regulars have long had just one way to fly direct between Toronto and Mérida: WestJet. That changes this November, when Air Canada enters the route — creating a bit of competition and a lot more seat availability on what has historically been a tight, seasonal corridor.
Here’s what travelers need to know about the two options.
WestJet: The Established Choice
WestJet has been the only airline flying nonstop between Toronto Pearson and Mérida’s Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport, operating twice weekly. For the current season, flights depart from Toronto at 10:05 a.m. and arrive in Mérida at 1:39 p.m. The return leg leaves Mérida between 1:35 and 2:35 p.m., landing back in Toronto by early evening. The aircraft is a Boeing 737, with economy and premium economy available — no business class on this route.
The cheapest round-trip fares found recently on Google Flights were CA$477 (about US$345), with one-way tickets starting around CA$274 (about US$200).
WestJet’s Mérida service is seasonal, part of its broader winter sun program out of Ontario. The airline has operated this route on and off for years, and it has become a fixture for the Canadian community in Yucatán. Check westjet.com for the current schedule and available dates.
Air Canada: The New Arrival
Air Canada will begin nonstop Toronto-Mérida service Nov. 21, running through April 17, 2027, with flights on Mondays and Saturdays. This is actually the second time Air Canada has offered this seasonal route — it ran previously before being discontinued — and the airline is bringing it back as part of its largest-ever winter expansion into Latin America and the Caribbean.
That expansion is a direct response to the sharp decline in Canadian demand for U.S. flights, as carriers pivot to warmer destinations further south. Mérida, alongside new routes to Roatán in Honduras and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, is part of that push. Fares for the Air Canada route were not yet listed publicly at press time, but tickets and vacation packages are available at aircanada.com.
How They Stack Up
The flight itself is roughly the same on both carriers — about four hours, 15 minutes each way, with comparable aircraft and no business-class option in either direction. The real difference is in the calendar. Between the two airlines, travelers will have nonstop service on up to four days per week during the peak winter season — Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays — compared to just two days when WestJet was flying solo.
That added frequency matters for anyone trying to align travel dates with holidays, school breaks, or flexible work schedules. It also means more competition, which historically pushes fares down. Connecting flights through Houston, Miami, or Dallas are always an option via American, United, or Aeromexico, but those itineraries typically run 8 to 10 hours total — not a great trade when a direct flight is available.
For those already based in Mérida, the Viva Aerobús seasonal service to Los Angeles and the continued growth of Mérida’s international airport are expanding options in multiple directions this winter.
Toronto to Mérida: Quick Reference
- WestJet — Tuesdays and Thursdays; departs Toronto 10:05 a.m.; arrives Mérida 1:39 p.m.; Boeing 737; economy and premium economy; from approx. CA$477 (US$345) round-trip; westjet.com
- Air Canada — Mondays and Saturdays; Nov. 21, 2026 – April 17, 2027; approximately 4 hours 15 minutes; economy; fares TBD; aircanada.com
- Flight time: Approximately 4 hours, 15 minutes nonstop
- With connections: 8–10 hours via Miami (American) or Dallas (American/United)
- Toronto airport: Pearson International (YYZ), Terminal 3
- Mérida airport: Manuel Crescencio Rejón International (MID)