Air Transat will operate twice-weekly nonstop service between Montreal (YUL) and Dakar's Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) starting June 17, 2026, using Airbus A321LR aircraft. Flights operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays through October 21, 2026, covering approximately 3,897 miles (3,386 nm).
The route creates the first direct air link between Canada and Sub-Saharan Africa. A total Canada–West Africa market of roughly 346,000 two-way passengers in 2024 had previously relied entirely on European connections, adding up to nine hours to the journey, as noted by Simple Flying.
The service targets both the Senegalese diaspora in Quebec and leisure travelers drawn to Dakar's beaches and cultural sites. "This new flight between Montreal and Dakar responds to a strong connection: that of the Senegalese diaspora in Quebec and travellers eager to discover Senegal's rich culture," said Sebastian Ponce, Transat's Chief Revenue Officer, in the official press release.
Air Transat's route strategy relies on the A321LR's long-range narrowbody economics, which allow profitable operations on transatlantic markets too thin to support a widebody aircraft. The carrier is adding eight new international routes for summer 2026 from Ottawa, Quebec City, Montreal, and Toronto. Aviation Week confirms that Montreal already has year-round service to Algiers, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tunis, but the Dakar route is the first link to West Africa from any Canadian city.
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Things to do at each end of the route
Top-rated tours & experiences in Montreal and Dakar.