Standby Seats Galore on US-Canada Flights

If you’ve ever tried nonreving between the US and Canada and faced full flights or competitive loads, this spring is flipping the script. Airlines are reporting a major collapse in demand for transborder travel, and it's not just seasonal. Political tensions between the two countries appear to be playing a big role in the sudden drop.

Multiple outlets, including The Guardian, Simple Flying, and TravelPulse, are reporting a 70% decrease in summer bookings between the US and Canada compared to last year. It’s a surprising downturn for a traditionally strong corridor—especially routes like Toronto–New York, Vancouver–San Francisco, and Montreal–Boston.

A Political Chill in the Skies

Industry insiders point to rising political friction as a key factor. According to The Guardian, many Canadians are opting out of US travel in response to political developments, including controversial policies and rhetoric associated with the 2024 US election cycle.

Air Canada and WestJet have both quietly scaled back planned summer schedules, citing reduced demand and soft forward bookings. US airlines like United and Delta have adjusted capacity as well, particularly on short-haul business-focused routes.

In short: it’s not just economics or seasonality. It's vibes—and they’re not great.

What Travelers Are Noticing

Anecdotal reports from passengers show wide-open cabins, cheap fares, and last-minute upgrades becoming more common. Flyers have posted about near-empty transborder flights and surprising availability even in premium cabins.

For standby travelers, this shift is golden. While holiday weekends and summer peaks often meant playing seat roulette at the gate, this spring and summer might offer the smoothest ride across the border in years.

Tips for Standby Travelers Heading North (or South)

• Check Shoulder Season Routes: Late April through early June is looking particularly light on loads—perfect timing for a city break or family visit.

• Monitor Route Changes: With airlines tweaking schedules weekly, keep an eye on flight consolidations and aircraft swaps.

• Don’t Fear Peak Travel Times: Even Friday and Sunday flights are showing open seats on many US–Canada routes.

• Consider Alternate Airports: With demand down, you might have better luck connecting via less competitive airports like Ottawa or Calgary.

What This Means for Airline Staff

Whether you’re flying to reposition, visit friends and family, or just get away for the weekend, this is a rare sweet spot for transborder travel. With fewer paying passengers, standbys are clearing into cabins—and even premium seats—that were packed just a year ago.

There’s no telling how long the lull will last. If tensions ease or political winds shift, bookings could bounce back quickly. But for now, it’s a rare window of opportunity to hop across the border without sweating the standby list.

Have you seen lighter loads on US–Canada flights this year? Are you taking advantage?