On October 25th, Swoop officially launched operations from Toronto Pearson Airport. The airline is flying to cities in Canada and leisure sun destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. With the start of the winter schedule, Swoop is targeting point-to-point travelers as it builds up its operations out of the main Toronto airport.
Launching operations at Toronto Pearson
With flights to Montego Bay in Jamaica, Edmonton, Kelowna, and Halifax, Swoop inaugurated operations out of Pearson. This week, the airline will add even more flights to Abbotsford and Cancun. The launch of operations at Toronto Pearson also inaugurated Swoop’s winter schedule. As part of the winter schedule, Swoop is coming to more airports, including Kelowna International Airport in British Columbia and additional sun destinations.
Charles Duncan, President of Swoop, stated the following in a press release viewed by Simple Flying:
“We are excited to be able to bring our ultra-low cost carrier model to Toronto and serve Canada’s largest city. We know that Canadians are cautious about travelling, and with the significant health and safety measures we have put in place, travellers can rest assured that their safety is our top priority.”
The full schedule out of Toronto Pearson will see the airline fly to Kelowna, Abbotsford, Halifax, and Edmonton in Canada. To sun destinations, the airline is adding flights to Las Vegas, Orlando, Tampa Bay, Montego Bay, and Cancun. Along with flights, passengers can purchase a Swoop Getaways flight plus hotel package.
The full flight schedule is as follows through April 24th, 2021:
- Toronto and Abbotsford operates six times per week (no Saturday service)
- Toronto and Edmonton operates six flights a week (no Saturday service)
- Toronto and Kelowna operates four times a week (service on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays)
- Toronto and Halifax operates daily
- Toronto and Las Vegas operates four times a week (Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays)
- Toronto and Orlando operates five times a week (no service on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
- Toronto and Tampa Bay operates four times a week (Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays)
- Toronto and Cancun operates five times a week (no service on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
- Toronto and Montego Bay operates five times a week (no service on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Swoop does not offer connections, nor does it offer bookings on WestJet, Swoop’s parent company, on the same itinerary. Passengers can, however, self-connect if they want, but this comes with some uncertainty as, in case of delays or cancellations on the inbound flight, a passenger could miss their Swoop flight without adequate cover.
Getting passengers comfortable with air travel
In addition to rolling out health and cleaning initiatives like mandatory face coverings in flight, increased sanitation, and traveler screening measures, Swoop hopes to restore confidence in flying. In addition, Swoop flights and vacation package bookings come with complimentary no-charge travel insurance coverage for travel through April 24th, 2021. For full terms and conditions, check out the Swoop website.
What about Hamilton?
After announcing its intention to fly out of Toronto Pearson, the ultra-low-cost carrier also reduced services out of Hamilton, Ontario. The airport is further away from Toronto than Pearson and was formerly a big base for the carrier. Swoop will continue to fly multiple flights per week out of Hamilton to Edmonton and Abbotsford, but no longer the full breadth of destinations as most flights transition to Toronto Pearson.
Compared to Hamilton, Toronto Pearson is more popular for passengers in the Greater Toronto Area. However, the airport is also the main international airport in Toronto, and as such, it is more expensive to operate in and out of. However, Swoop likely weighed its options and decided that Pearson would be a good bet.
Are you glad to see Swoop start operations at Toronto Pearson? Are you going to fly Swoop to or from Toronto? Let us know in the comments!
