New Porter Airlines flights to the Caribbean, Mexico and United States from across Canada next winter. Plus news about Uber jumping into the hotel booking biz, Chicago’s celebration of Route 66, and news of a pair of around-the-world voyages from Holland America.
ARUBA, JAMAICA, PORTER WANTS TO TAKE YA
Porter Airlines is flying south next winter to four new destinations. In addition to a robust set of new sun routes from Eastern Canada, Porter is introducing its first international flights from Alberta. This includes over 40 warm-weather routes for the 2026-27 season.
The carrier has been growing at a rapid pace with the introduction of new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft into its fleet, allowing it to expand throughout North America, serving new regions such as the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico. Additions to this year’s schedule include Aruba, San Jose, Montego Bay and Los Cabos. This is in addition to existing service to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Nassau, Grand Cayman and Liberia.
The Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino. Photo courtesy Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino.
NEW FLIGHTS FROM VANCOUVER, TORONTO, HALIFAX, CALGARY + MORE
New flights are also being introduced from Edmonton to Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Las Vegas and Phoenix. From Calgary, service to Phoenix is being added to the schedule.
In addition, Porter will resume service between Vancouver and Phoenix, and introduce a second daily flight from Toronto. All flights offer connectivity beyond Phoenix to partner American Airlines’ large domestic network.
Other markets benefitting from new service are Halifax, Hamilton, Ottawa and Toronto. Halifax will see flights to Cancun and Fort Lauderdale; Hamilton connects with Montego Bay; Ottawa adds Aruba, Montego Bay and Los Cabos; and Toronto adds Aruba, San Jose, Montego Bay and Los Cabos.
Porter is the only airline to offer service to Aruba and Los Cabos from Ottawa, as well as Montego Bay from Hamilton.
In total, Porter will operate nearly 5,000 flights to sun destinations for the upcoming winter season. This represents an increase of greater than 150 percent compared to the previous year.
UBER BROADENS TRAVEL OFFERINGS, INCLUDING HOTEL BOOKINGS
Uber has made it even easier for people to go further, with the launch of several new travel features at the annual GO-GET product showcase. This includes Travel Mode and Uber One International, which are available right away, and the addition of hotel bookings on the Uber app, which will be available in Canada in the coming months.
The classic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta.
Here are some further details on the new features that are rolling out:
Travel Mode:
A personal travel concierge will now provide a new experience across the Uber platform. Travel Mode will guide you through the airport, help navigate new cities with confidence, and surface a curated list of local favorites and must-see spots, complete with OpenTable reservations or ‘room-service’ deliveries to your hotel.
Uber One International
Your Uber One benefits now travel with you globally. Members can earn Uber One credits on international rides while continuing to enjoy $0 Delivery Fee and other benefits, with credits earned abroad applying once you return home.
Hotels on Uber
And most exciting of all, you will soon be able to book your hotels on the Uber app. In partnership with Expedia Group, users will be able to book stays at more than 750,000 properties in more than 250,000 destinations around the world, with the ability to book home stays on VRBO coming soon. This feature is available to U.S. users right away, and will be coming to Canada in the coming months.
One Search
Uber has also redesigned the destination bar to let you search for places, food, and items across both Uber and Uber Eats. Whether booking a ride or ordering delivery, search once and Uber will connect you to what you want.
CHOOSE CHICAGO CELEBRATES ROUTE 66
Choose Chicago, the city’s official destination marketing organization, is inviting locals and visitors alike to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in Chicago—the historic starting point of the iconic “Mother Road.”
Route 66, Downtown Chicago. Choose Chicago Photo
For a century, Route 66 has connected Chicago to the Pacific Coast, earning its place as one of the most recognizable roadways in the world and a defining symbol of America. As the United States prepares to commemorate this milestone, Choose Chicago is leading a coordinated, year-long effort to position the city as the global gateway to the Route 66 centennial—turning a historic moment into a driver of visitation and economic impact.
“Chicago is proud to be the starting point of Route 66, and the centennial is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to celebrate the road’s legacy and attract international visitors eager to experience this iconic piece of Americana,” said Kristen Reynolds, President and CEO of Choose Chicago. “We’ve spent years preparing for this moment—building experiences, strengthening partnerships, and creating new ways for visitors and residents to engage with Route 66. We look forward to celebrating throughout the year and encouraging exploration of the ‘Mother Road’ right here where it begins.”
Established 100 years ago to connect the Great Lakes to the Pacific Coast, Route 66 has evolved into one of the most recognized travel experiences in the United States and a powerful draw for international visitors. Roughly 40 million travellers experience some portion of Route 66 each year—the majority of whom come from overseas markets.
SAIL THE WORLD WITH HOLLAND AMERICA
Holland America Line has announced itineraries for its two 2028 Grand Voyages, thoughtfully designed journeys shaped by years of guest feedback and a shared appetite for discovery measured not in days, but in continents crossed and time well spent ashore. Travelers can choose between a sweeping 129-day circumnavigation of the globe aboard the 2028 Grand World Voyage or a 90-day deep dive into Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific on the Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage.
Four Seasons Bora Bora. PHOTO COURTESY FOUR SEASONS HOTELS
Both 2028 Grand Voyages are anchored by ambitious, bucket-list experiences. On the Grand World Voyage, that means a full Antarctic Experience and an immersive sweep through South America, including scenic cruising through the Chilean Fjords, Glacier Alley and the Beagle Channel. The voyage also contains a call at Easter Island and a sail-past of Null Island, where the Prime Meridian and the Equator intersect at 0°N, 0°E. On the Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage, it means rare access to the remote, seldom-visited shores of Western Australia that appear on few cruise itineraries–all without stepping on an international flight. Both voyages include a call at Bora Bora, making 2028 the first time Holland America Line has sent both Grand Voyages to the crown jewel of the South Pacific in a single season.
The 2028 Grand Voyages sail aboard Volendam and Zaandam, ships renowned for their ability to reach ports that larger vessels cannot–intimate enough to dock in remote harbors, spacious enough to feel like home for several months.
The 2028 Grand World Voyage departs Jan. 4 roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The 2028 Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage departs Jan. 30 roundtrip from San Diego, California.
