Nantes Gets Direct Québec Link for Summer 2026
Air Transat will launch a new direct service between Nantes Atlantique Airport and Québec City for summer 2026. The route will operate once a week, every Tuesday, between 2 June and 20 October 2026, using an Airbus A321LR. The announcement marks a further step in the long-standing partnership between the Canadian carrier and Nantes airport, managed by VINCI Airports.
The new service strengthens transatlantic connectivity from western France and complements the existing Nantes–Montréal route. Together, the two Canadian gateways widen travel options for passengers in the Pays de la Loire region. Air Transat has worked with Nantes for more than 20 years, and the addition of Québec builds on that relationship while responding to steady demand for links with Canada.
“By directly connecting Nantes to Québec, VINCI Airports and Air Transat are giving new momentum to the region’s international mobility. Canada, and particularly the province of Québec, holds a special place in the hearts of people in our region. This new service to and from Canada responds to growing demand from residents of Nantes and Québec, while strengthening the cultural, economic and tourism ties between our territories."
Flights will be operated by Airbus A321LR aircraft, a model already used by Air Transat on long-haul routes. The airline notes that travellers can combine entry and exit points, arriving in one Canadian city and departing from another. This flexibility allows passengers to plan wider itineraries without retracing their steps, which is particularly useful in a country as geographically large as Canada.
The new flight brings passengers straight to Québec City, with its old town, stone ramparts and strong French-speaking identity. From the city, it is simple to head along the St Lawrence River, visit the hills of Charlevoix or continue on to Montréal and other parts of Canada. The connection also deepens cultural, academic and business links between Nantes and Québec, which have shared history and active exchanges.
The weekly schedule limits capacity, yet the direct link removes the need for a connecting flight through Paris or another European hub. That alone may reshape travel habits in the region. A non-stop option simplifies planning and can shorten journey times. For holidaymakers and families in western France, Québec becomes easier to reach next summer, while Canadian visitors gain a straightforward gateway to the Atlantic coast and the Loire region.