Photo: Adam Khan / Unsplash
The French Caribbean is an increasingly popular destination for travelers seeking unique, high-end experiences. The Guadeloupe Islands, a butterfly-shaped archipelago located between Dominica and Antigua, offers precisely that.
For most Canadian travelers, getting to this beautiful overseas French territory has never been that easy, necessitating routing through Europe or Quebec cities like Montreal that would add hours to a flight. But as 2026 rolled around, that all changed.
Just a few days before Christmas 2025, Air Canada launched its first-ever direct seasonal service from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe’s cultural and commercial center. Full to capacity with 166 passengers, the Boeing 737-800 MAX sent a clear signal that Canadian travelers were ready (and keen) to add this marvelous Caribbean island to their luxury travel options.
Direct Flights to Guadeloupe Islands
Following as it does hard on the heels of the introduction of Porter Airlines’ new Caribbean routes, the timing of this new route is certainly worth looking at, too: it was 50 years to the day that Air Canada established its first flights to Guadeloupe. That connection began in November 1975 when an Air Canada DC-8 also carrying 166 passengers arrived at Guadeloupe’s airport, providing a much-needed escape from those always-harsh Canadian winters.
Fast forward to today and the relationship between the two destinations has only deepened. Now, more than 100,000 Canadians visit the archipelago annually, a figure that’s projected to rise thanks to the inauguration of Air Canada’s new direct flights.
In fact, the Guadeloupe Islands Tourism Board has worked hard to increase awareness in Canada. In addition to TV ads and online marketing, fam trips for Ontario-based media and travel agents have also been initiated. The route connecting Guadeloupe Maryse Conde Airport directly with Toronto is also notable as Air Transat will be adding a new Quebec City route in February 2026, while its Montreal service will become year-round with twice-weekly departures.
FAQs, Facts, Tips, and Tactics
- Toronto Guadeloupe Flights: Air Canada’s seasonal Toronto service departs every Saturday, with the five-hour flight arriving at Guadeloupe Maryse Conde Airport (PTP) in Pointe-a-Pitre through April 11, 2026
- Montreal Guadeloupe Flights: Air Canada also provides year-round service from Montreal, with six weekly peak season flights and four during the summer
- Air Transat will launch seasonal service from Quebec City on February 18, 2026, and will convert its Montreal route to year-round operation with Tuesday and Saturday departures beginning summer 2026
- Air France provides additional Montreal connectivity
- A French overseas department, Guadeloupe uses the Euro and operates under French law as part of the European Union, though is outside the Schengen Area for travel purposes
- Visas: Canadians don’t need a visa for stays up to 90 days
- Renting a car is a must to explore beyond the main tourist areas; buses run infrequently and don’t always connect to popular Guadeloupe attractions
- Guadeloupe Weather: The dry season from December through May offers optimal weather conditions, with temperatures averaging 75 to 82 F; brief afternoon rain showers keep the landscape green. Hurricane season runs June through November, with the highest risk in August and September.
- Guadeloupe accommodations include intimate guesthouses to international brands, with new resorts opening in 2026.
- Toronto airport stays include the first-rate Sheraton Gateway Hotel
- Guadeloupe Islands Tourism has launched a new digital platform connecting travelers directly with more than 1,000 local partners, including hotels, restaurants, and activity providers. Visit www.lesilesdeguadeloupe.com/en/for ideas and inspiration
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Bryan Dearsley is Editor of LuxuryCaribbeanIslands and several other luxury lifestyles websites, including LuxuryUK, LuxuryEurope, and LuxuryUnitedStates. He writes extensively about luxury travel and unique experiences (hey, someone has to do it). If you’d like to get in touch with him, drop him a line via LinkedIn.
