What is the best airline to fly from the US to Canada?

Delta Air Lines is the best overall choice for US-to-Canada flights. It has the highest on-time rate among US carriers (79.26%), extensive service to major Canadian cities, and competitive fees ($45 first bag). Air Canada offers the most routes but lower on-time performance (73.26%).

Is Air Canada or WestJet better?

WestJet is slightly more punctual (73.58% vs 73.26% on-time, Cirium 2025) and offers lower base fares. Air Canada has a much larger international network via Star Alliance, more premium cabin options, and serves more US cities. Choose WestJet for domestic Canada/US leisure; choose Air Canada for connections beyond Canada.

How much is a checked bag on US-Canada flights?

Most carriers charge $45 USD for the first checked bag on transborder routes: Air Canada ($45 Basic/Standard), WestJet ($45 prepaid), Delta ($45), United ($45), American ($45). Air Canada Flex and WestJet EconoFlex include a free first bag.

Do I need a passport to fly from the US to Canada?

Yes. US citizens need a valid passport or NEXUS card to fly to Canada. A driver's license is not sufficient for air travel. NEXUS cardholders get expedited customs processing at Canadian airports.

Which US airports have the most Canada flights?

The top US airports for Canada service are: Seattle (SEA) — gateway to Vancouver; Detroit (DTW) — gateway to Toronto; Minneapolis (MSP) — multiple Canadian cities; New York JFK/Newark — Toronto, Montreal; Los Angeles (LAX) — Vancouver, Toronto.

Best Airlines for US to Canada Flights (2026)

Best airlines for US-Canada flights ranked by reliability, fees, and routes. Compare Air Canada, WestJet, Delta, United, and American on cross-border service.

Last updated: September 2026

Quick Answer

Delta Air Lines is the best US carrier for Canada flights — 79.26% on-time rate (DOT 2025) and extensive service to Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary.
Air Canada offers the most US-Canada routes and Star Alliance connectivity, with 73.26% on-time performance (Cirium 2025).
WestJet is slightly more punctual than Air Canada (73.58% vs 73.26% on-time, Cirium 2025) and offers lower base fares on popular routes.
First checked bag fees are similar across carriers: $45 USD (Air Canada, WestJet, Delta, United, American) on transborder routes.
For connections beyond Canada: Air Canada (Star Alliance) and Delta (SkyTeam) offer the best onward connectivity.

US-Canada Carriers Ranked by Reliability

US carrier data: U.S. DOT Air Travel Consumer Report, February 2026 edition (full-year 2025 data), Table 1C. All figures include branded codeshare/regional partners. Canadian carrier data: Cirium 2025 On-Time Performance Review (released January 5, 2026). Bag fees: airline websites (2026).

Air Canada vs WestJet on US Routes

Both Canadian carriers serve major US cities extensively. The key differences:

On-time data: Cirium 2025 On-Time Performance Review (released January 5, 2026). Fees: Air Canada and WestJet websites (2026).

Transborder Baggage Fees (2026)

Checked bag fees on US-Canada routes have converged across carriers. The standard first bag fee is now $45 USD on all major airlines. The main way to avoid fees is booking a higher fare class:

Fees: Airline websites (2026). All amounts in USD for transborder US-Canada routes.

Best US Gateways for Canada

The busiest US-Canada air corridors offer the most competition and lowest fares. Seattle (SEA) is the primary gateway to Vancouver with service from Delta, Alaska, Air Canada, and WestJet. Detroit (DTW) is Delta’s gateway to Toronto with multiple daily flights. Minneapolis (MSP) offers Delta and Sun Country service to multiple Canadian cities. New York (JFK/EWR) and Los Angeles (LAX) have extensive service to Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver from all major carriers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best airline to fly from the US to Canada?: Delta Air Lines is the best overall choice for US-to-Canada flights. It has the highest on-time rate among US carriers (79.26%), extensive service to major Canadian cities, and competitive fees ($45 first bag). Air Canada offers the most routes but lower on-time performance (73.26%).
Is Air Canada or WestJet better?: WestJet is slightly more punctual (73.58% vs 73.26% on-time, Cirium 2025) and offers lower base fares. Air Canada has a much larger international network via Star Alliance, more premium cabin options, and serves more US cities. Choose WestJet for domestic Canada/US leisure; choose Air Canada for connections beyond Canada.
How much is a checked bag on US-Canada flights?: Most carriers charge $45 USD for the first checked bag on transborder routes: Air Canada ($45 Basic/Standard), WestJet ($45 prepaid), Delta ($45), United ($45), American ($45). Air Canada Flex and WestJet EconoFlex include a free first bag.
Do I need a passport to fly from the US to Canada?: Yes. US citizens need a valid passport or NEXUS card to fly to Canada. A driver's license is not sufficient for air travel. NEXUS cardholders get expedited customs processing at Canadian airports.
Which US airports have the most Canada flights?: The top US airports for Canada service are: Seattle (SEA) — gateway to Vancouver; Detroit (DTW) — gateway to Toronto; Minneapolis (MSP) — multiple Canadian cities; New York JFK/Newark — Toronto, Montreal; Los Angeles (LAX) — Vancouver, Toronto.