Flying within Canada is not cheap. Coming from Europe, where low-cost carriers have made it completely normal to hop across countries for as little as £20, I was genuinely shocked at how expensive domestic flights are here. In fact, it can sometimes cost more to fly from one Canadian city to another than to cross the Atlantic.
When I was planning my trip, I wanted to visit both Halifax and Toronto. A return ticket to Halifax with Air Canada would have cost more than my transatlantic flight from London to Montreal. Adding Toronto to the itinerary? Even pricier.
That’s when I came across Flair Airlines — one of the very few ultra-low-cost options in Canada. It felt like a bit of a gamble, especially after seeing rumours swirling online about the airline potentially struggling. Still, I booked a one-way ticket from Montreal to Halifax, and another from Halifax to Toronto a week later. And spoiler alert: a year later, Flair is still flying, and my flights went ahead without any major issues.
This review covers both flights — the good, the bad, and the almost ugly (though thankfully, there wasn’t anything truly ugly). I hadn’t actually planned to write a review at the time, so apologies in advance for the lack of photos. I was in the middle of a rough patch with my fear of flying. My GP had cancelled my prescription, and I hadn’t yet taken the EasyJet Fearless Flyer course, which later made such a huge difference for me. So on these flights, I was flying unmedicated and with anxiety levels through the roof — snapping Instagram-worthy pics wasn’t exactly top of mind.
Who Is Flair Airlines?
Flair Airlines is a Canadian ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. Founded in 2005 as Flair Air, the airline initially operated charter services before transitioning to scheduled passenger flights in 2017 after acquiring NewLeaf Travel Company. Today, Flair operates a fleet of 20 Boeing 737 aircraft, including 18 Boeing 737 MAX 8s and 2 Boeing 737-800s, serving 34 destinations across Canada and select U.S. cities
The airline positions itself as Canada’s leading independent ULCC, aiming to make air travel more accessible and affordable for Canadians. Flair’s business model focuses on offering low base fares with additional fees for services like baggage, seat selection, and in-flight refreshments. This approach allows passengers to customise their travel experience based on their needs and budget.
In recent years, Flair has faced challenges, including regulatory scrutiny over foreign ownership concerns and operational disruptions due to aircraft seizures by lessors over payment disputes. Despite these hurdles, the airline continues to expand its network and maintain its commitment to providing low-cost travel options within Canada
The Fares
Flair Airlines follows a classic low-cost model — the kind where your ticket basically gets you a seat on the plane, and everything else is extra. Think Ryanair or Wizz Air, but Canadian. You pay separately for things like hand luggage, checked bags, seat selection, and even printing a boarding pass at the airport.
For my trip, I only had a carry-on with me, but even that came at an extra cost — and honestly, I was a bit shocked to find that the carry-on fee was actually more than the fare itself.
To give you an idea, my one-way flight from Montreal to Halifax cost 94 Canadian dollars. Out of that, 39 dollars was just for the carry-on, 12 dollars went to taxes, and 35 dollars was the airport fee. The base fare itself? Just a few dollars. The return leg from Halifax to Toronto cost me exactly the same.
What’s interesting is how much the prices fluctuated. A year later, when I was planning a return to Halifax, I looked into flying to either Toronto or Montreal first, since they tend to have cheaper flights from London. But the one-way fare with Flair had jumped to over 200 Canadian dollars — quite the jump from what I paid before. In the end, I booked a direct flight from London Gatwick to Halifax with WestJet instead, which turned out to be a better deal overall.
The Essentials
Being used to flying low-cost in Europe, I knew exactly what to expect — no frills, no freebies, and definitely no entertainment. But for a short one-hour hop, none of that really mattered.
The flight was operated on a Boeing 737 MAX 8, which, not going to lie, made me a little nervous. It was shortly after these aircraft were cleared to fly again, and I couldn’t help but feel a slight twinge of unease as I boarded. But hey — I’m here to tell the tale, so all went well in the end.
Onboard, you can purchase food and drinks, though the selection is limited and, as you’d expect on any low-cost carrier, a bit on the pricey side. I’d recommend grabbing a snack before boarding if you’re looking to save a few dollars.
What really surprised me, though, was the legroom. At 34 inches, it was far more generous than I anticipated — especially for a budget airline. No awkward knee-to-seat-back situations here, which made the short flight noticeably more comfortable.
On Board
The onboard experience with Flair is exactly what you’d expect from a no-frills, low-cost airline — very basic, but it gets the job done.
There’s no in-flight entertainment, so if you’re the type who needs a distraction, definitely bring your own book, tablet, or something downloaded to watch. The good news? The seats do have USB chargers, which is a nice little perk, especially if you’re relying on your phone or tablet to keep you company during the flight.
The seats themselves were surprisingly comfortable. There’s no fancy business class or premium section on Flair — it’s a one-class cabin — but you can opt for seats with extra legroom, usually found in the front rows or at the emergency exits. Otherwise, it’s a level playing field, which honestly makes things feel a bit more straightforward.
Flair Airlines Review
Montreal to Halifax
I flew with Flair Airlines from Montreal to Halifax, and while the flight itself was smooth and uneventful (in a good way!), getting to the gate was a bit of an unexpected adventure.
The domestic terminal at Montreal airport is… confusing, to say the least. The gate felt like it was in a completely different building. Despite having been through plenty of airports, I genuinely struggled to find it. After a bit of wandering, I realised it was tucked away at the end of an underground walkway. Thankfully, I’d arrived with plenty of time, so getting lost wasn’t a problem — just a bit of a detour.
The flight itself was on time, and I was happy to see it had even arrived early from its previous leg. I watched from the windows as passengers disembarked, the plane was refuelled, and the pilots did their walk-around checks.
Boarding was smooth and efficient, and we took off right on time. I was assigned a middle seat, which wouldn’t be my first choice on a longer journey, but for a short hop like this, it really didn’t bother me. I ended up chatting with the person next to me — a friendly passenger from France living in Montreal, off to explore Nova Scotia. The conversation made the flight pass by so quickly that before I knew it, we were descending.
We landed ahead of schedule, and overall, I was genuinely pleased with the whole experience.
Halifax to Toronto
Unfortunately, my second flight with Flair — from Halifax to Toronto — didn’t go as smoothly as the first leg.
The first issue was the delay. The flight, originally scheduled for 10 p.m., was pushed back to 11:30 p.m. And if you know Halifax airport, you’ll know that almost everything shuts down by 10. I was lucky to grab a quick bite at one of the few restaurants just before it closed, but after that, it was just a matter of waiting at the gate in an airport that felt pretty lifeless.
In hindsight, I was really glad I’d booked a hotel near the airport in Toronto for that night instead of trying to get into the city. Public transport wouldn’t have been running by the time we landed, and unless I wanted to shell out for an expensive taxi or private transfer, I honestly don’t know how I would’ve gotten into town.
The flight itself was full and, to be honest, quite uncomfortable. We hit a lot of turbulence — the kind that makes you grip the armrest.
At one point, I felt my anxiety creeping in and tried to speak to a flight attendant, just looking for a bit of reassurance. Instead, I was brushed off rather abruptly and handed a sick bag, even though I explained I wasn’t feeling ill — just anxious. It might seem like a small moment, but the lack of empathy made things worse. Sometimes, a simple “it’s ok, don’t worry” is all it takes.
By the time we landed — sometime after 1 a.m. — I just wanted to get off the plane. The terminal at Toronto Pearson felt endless. I kept walking and walking, still on edge. I even sent a voice note to a friend, trying to process what had just happened. It wasn’t until I finally reached my hotel room, away from the noise and the fluorescent lights of the airport, that I could actually begin to calm down.
What I Liked
One of the biggest draws of flying with Flair is, of course, the price. Both of my flights were incredibly affordable — even with the extra fee for carry-on luggage, the total still came in lower than most other options.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the condition of the planes. They were clean, modern, and the seats were genuinely comfortable — not something I always expect on a low-cost carrier. But the real standout? The legroom. At 34 inches, it was noticeably more generous than on most budget airlines, where you often feel squeezed in. That extra space made a big difference, especially for someone like me who travels often.
What I Wasn’t Keen On
Unfortunately, not everything went smoothly. My biggest issue was with the attitude of one of the flight attendants on the Halifax to Toronto flight. Before I took a fear of flying course, I always made it a point to let the crew know I might get anxious — and they were always kind, reassuring, and understanding. I fly at least once a month, and I’ve never had a crew member respond so coldly when I asked for a bit of reassurance. It left me feeling more anxious, not less.
The delay on that second flight was also frustrating, especially since Halifax airport more or less shuts down by 10 p.m. There wasn’t much to do but sit and wait, and it made for a very long night.
Conclusion
Would I fly with Flair Airlines again? Yes — but with tempered expectations.
For what I paid, Flair delivered exactly what it promised: a no-frills, affordable way to get from A to B within Canada. The planes were clean, the seats were comfortable, and the generous legroom was a very pleasant surprise. Both flights were significantly cheaper than anything offered by the bigger carriers, and for that alone, it was worth it.
That said, the experience wasn’t perfect. The delay on the Halifax to Toronto leg made for a long, tiring night, and the way the crew handled my anxiety left me feeling a bit shaken. I’ve flown with many airlines over the years, and kindness from the crew — especially in moments when a passenger is clearly not at their best — goes a long way. This time, that part was missing.
Still, if you’re flexible, prepared to travel light (or at least budget for those extra fees), and you know what to expect from a low-cost carrier, Flair can be a good option — especially in a country where affordable domestic flights are hard to come by.
It might not be Europe-style budget flying just yet, but it’s a start.
For more related articles, check out my recommendations below:
- The cheapest way to get from Toronto Pearson Airport to Downtown
- My Play Airlines Review – Flying from London to Toronto
- How to get from Hamilton Airport to Downtown Toronto
Like it? Pin it!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this website are “affiliate links.” This means that if you click on the link and do a purchase, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost for you. This helps me keep my website running and continue to share my travelling knowledge with you. I thank you for booking your flights or hotels using the links on my website. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.
