With geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty putting downward pressure on demand for flights between the USA and Canada, United Airlines has quietly removed its new Los Angeles – Toronto route from the schedule and also adjusted service frequencies to three Canadian cities from its Washington Dulles hub.
United Airlines Pulls New New Los Angeles – Toronto Route From Schedule
We’ve seen recent reports of falling demand between the US and Canada and while it still may be too early to quantify, United Airlines has decided to scrap its new Los Angeles (LAX) – Toronto Pearson (YYZ) route, which was set to launch during the summer season between May 22, 2025, to September 24, 2025.
As an Angeleno who was planning a trip to Toronto this autumn, this particular route cut hits me hard, but it just makes sense in the current environment: Air Canada already flies several frequencies per day between LAX and YYZ, including some on widebody jets. Air Canada and United have a transborder joint venture, meaning revenue is shared and the extra segment on the Los Angeles – Toronto route on United metal simply becomes duplicative in the face of falling demand.
United confirmed the route cut, telling Live And Live Let’s Fly, “We make regular adjustments to our flight schedule based on seasonality, demand and other market factors.”
Last month, CEO Scott Kirby told investors, “We’ve already started the process of where that capacity is coming out, a lot of it transborder, big drop in Canadian traffic to go into the US so it’s going to come out in government markets where we’re seeing less demand.”
United Reduces Canadian Frequencies From Washington Dulles
In addition to the LAX route cut, United Airlines will make three adjustments to to its flight schedule from Washington Dulles. Effective May 22, 2025, frequencies will be reduced to Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal:
- Montreal (YUL) – from three-times daily to twice-daily
- Ottawa (YOW) – from four-times daily to three-times daily
- Toronto (YYZ) – from four-times daily to three-times daily
A recent poll suggests nearly half of Canadians are less likely to travel to the US this year than last year.
CONCLUSION
United Airlines is cutting a new Toronto route from Los Angeles before it even starts due to weak demand and also trimming back flights to other Canadian cities from its Washington hub. It remains to be seen whether this dip in demand is a temporary blip or the start of a long-term change in demand for air service between US and Canada.
Eventually the only traffic moving cross border will be hockey players.
Toronto may be the only city in North America with more homeless junkies than LA. Both cities are embarrassments to their respective countries.
But only one elected a crackhead, wife beating mayor. Also Othani is better than Vlad, so advantage LA.
Is that worse than an alcoholic, wife beating secretary of defense?
Look for United to make an announcement tomorrow…not regarding Canada..
Yes, I’m aware.
Two new destinations in Asia…
Canadian TV news often takes swipes at Am even when Obama was president. A lot of Canadians are either anti American or latent anti-American. Americans are unaware of this.
Trump was stupid to tease Justin by calling him Governor Trudeau though Justin is a drug addiction idiot that used to be a teacher! Teachers shouldn’t be drug addicts.
I’m in Toronto now, and I’ve been here two other times this year. To me, YYZ is the new CMB/CAI for good J airfares (Oneworld specifically). My take of the movement is that it is more of a “buy Canadian” movement than it is “anti-American” movement. The current election is also polarizing a lot of people, and as a whole, Canada seems to be exhibiting nearly American levels of outward patriotism. Honestly, I think it’s cool, and personally, I believe demand will improve over time. Of course, I totally respect any Canadians’ desire to never give another GD Loonie to the Americans, but for the sake of us all, I hope Trump backs off of his mindless rhetoric. YYZ-LAX demand should always be sky high.
But why is Porter increasing transborder capacity during this time ?
This was announced about 2 weeks ago. Or so. A little late to the game!