Canada Supercharges Toronto’s Winter Travel Choices As WestJet Launches New Flights To Mexico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, And The Caribbean’s Most Sought-After Getaways

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Canada is supercharging Toronto’s winter travel offerings as WestJet rolls out its enhanced 2025/2026 schedule, unveiling new non-stop flights to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and other top Caribbean escapes. With direct access to Cancun, Punta Cana, Samaná, Havana, Varadero, and beyond, WestJet is making it easier than ever for travelers to swap snow for sun. This expansion not only boosts southbound connectivity from Ontario but also reaffirms Toronto’s role as a premier gateway to some of the most sought-after tropical destinations across the Americas.

Ontario’s travel landscape is set to shine even brighter this winter, as WestJet unveils an expanded winter 2025/2026 schedule that includes new non-stop flights to Havana, Cuba, and enhanced service across the Caribbean and North America. With this move, WestJet increases its southbound seat capacity from Ontario by 8% compared to winter 2024/2025, reinforcing its role as the province’s top airline for winter sun travel.

Toronto Gains New Caribbean Links and Capacity Upgrades
WestJet will strengthen its presence at Toronto Pearson International Airport with a 5% capacity increase, highlighted by the introduction of two new routes and several frequency boosts on existing favourites. For the first time, non-stop flights to Havana will depart Toronto twice weekly starting December 18, 2025, adding Cuba’s capital city to WestJet’s route map and diversifying travel choices for sun-seeking Ontarians.

Also new from Toronto is a weekly service to Samaná in the Dominican Republic, launching December 11, 2025. Known for its eco-tourism potential and unspoiled natural beauty, Samaná has long been a favorite among Caribbean explorers and is now more accessible to Ontario travelers.

Several popular destinations are also seeing increased frequencies, including Cancun, Varadero, Nassau, and Kelowna. These frequency enhancements, effective from July 14, will allow more travelers to secure seats to in-demand vacation spots during peak travel months.

Winter 2025/2026 – Toronto Route Summary

These developments further solidify Toronto’s role as a key departure point for leisure travelers bound for tropical destinations.

New Route from Thunder Bay to Punta Cana
Residents of Thunder Bay will now enjoy direct access to the Caribbean with the launch of weekly non-stop flights to Punta Cana starting December 16, 2025. This marks the first time WestJet connects the Northern Ontario city directly to one of the most visited beach destinations in the Dominican Republic. The new route is expected to simplify winter getaway planning for travelers who previously had to connect through major airports.

Hamilton to See Major Upgrades for Punta Cana and Calgary Routes
Hamilton travelers will benefit from enhanced sun connectivity this winter. WestJet will operate up to two weekly flights to Punta Cana, doubling the frequency offered last year. This adjustment responds to rising demand for Caribbean travel from the region and provides greater flexibility during the busiest part of the travel season.

In addition, service between Hamilton and Calgary will expand significantly. With five weekly flights year-round, travelers from Southern Ontario will have improved access to WestJet’s broader network through its western hub, connecting to over 70 one-stop destinations throughout North America and beyond.

Winter 2025/2026 – Thunder Bay & Hamilton Route Summary

These improvements make it easier for travelers in regional cities to enjoy direct sun flights or reach WestJet’s western gateway for further connections.

Ontario’s Expanded Winter Travel Options
With demand for leisure travel continuing to climb, especially during the colder months, WestJet’s winter 2025/2026 schedule reflects a focused investment in sun and beach travel for Ontario-based flyers. By adding Havana and Samaná and expanding frequencies to in-demand locations, WestJet not only opens new horizons but also delivers more seats and greater convenience for Canadian vacationers.

The decision to grow Cuba services with the addition of Havana and more flights to Varadero underscores the airline’s strategy to serve a wider range of Caribbean markets—from family-friendly all-inclusives to culturally rich cities and nature-driven escapes. The enhanced access to Punta Cana, both from Hamilton and Thunder Bay, provides travelers with more non-stop options to enjoy one of the Caribbean’s most iconic coastal retreats.

The significant increase in service to Calgary from Hamilton also reflects a broader plan to boost east-west connectivity, giving Ontario travelers easy access to ski vacations, western cities, and international gateways.

Conclusion: More Non-Stop Sun Travel for Ontario This Winter
WestJet’s winter 2025/2026 schedule brings fresh opportunities for Ontario travelers to escape the cold with greater ease and flexibility. Whether flying from Toronto, Hamilton, or Thunder Bay, Canadians can expect new routes, upgraded frequencies, and seamless connections to some of the world’s most beautiful tropical locations.

The expanded schedule reflects WestJet’s ongoing effort to elevate the travel experience for Canadians by offering more choices, better connectivity, and direct access to the destinations that matter most during the winter season.