Cheap Flights from Ottawa (YOW)

Ottawa’s flight options have grown quickly, mainly because Porter has turned YOW into a major base, which means more competition and more sales for capital-region travellers. The cheapest fares usually appear in mid-January to February, May and the fall, especially on sun routes and flights within Canada.

Quick answer

• Main carriers: Porter and Air Canada, with WestJet, Flair and Air Transat adding competition.
• Cheapest months: mid-January to February, May, and October–November.
• Best-value routes: Cancún, Punta Cana, Orlando, Vancouver, London and Paris.
• Cheap airport access: O-Train Line 4 now runs right to the terminal.
• Alternative: Montréal for long-haul trips, about two hours away.

Airlines and where they fly

Porter has expanded hard in Ottawa, flying jets to Western Canada, Atlantic Canada, Florida, the US Southwest and the Caribbean, alongside its turboprop flights to Toronto’s Billy Bishop and other eastern cities. It added routes such as Ottawa–Kelowna and Ottawa–Hamilton in 2026, and its sun network from YOW includes Miami and Phoenix.

Air Canada links Ottawa with its hubs and flies nonstop to London Heathrow. WestJet serves Western Canada and the sun, and for winter 2026–27 it is adding a weekly nonstop to Liberia, Costa Rica. Air Transat focuses on sun routes and announced London Gatwick service, while Air France flies to Paris. Flair offers low-cost domestic options.

Heads up: As a government town, Ottawa has strong weekday business demand. Fares on short routes such as Toronto and Montréal are often higher Monday morning and Thursday–Friday evening; leisure travellers save by flying mid-day or on weekends.

Cheapest times to fly from Ottawa

Ottawa’s peaks match the Ontario school calendar: Christmas, March Break and summer. Winterlude weekends in February also bring visitors, but outbound fares in early February are usually reasonable.

Period	What to expect from YOW
Mid-January to February	Good sun and domestic fares
March Break	Highest sun prices
May	Shoulder value to Europe and Western Canada
July–August	Peak prices for Europe and domestic
October–November	Often the best value of the year

Our cheapest days and months guide explains why Tuesday and Wednesday departures often save money.

Best-value routes from YOW

Sun routes are where Porter’s growth shows. Cancún, Punta Cana, Orlando and Miami see regular sales, and Ottawa travellers no longer have to connect through Toronto for many winter escapes. Read our Punta Cana guide for typical fares.

Vancouver, Calgary and Halifax are frequently discounted thanks to competition between Porter, Air Canada and WestJet. For Europe, the London and Paris nonstops make Ottawa a real option, especially outside summer, though Montréal may still win on price.

Canadian service to Cuba, including Varadero, was suspended in 2026 during the island’s jet fuel shortage, so confirm status before you book.

Pro tip: Porter fares include perks such as complimentary snacks and drinks, but its lowest fare types limit bags and changes. Compare the fare you actually need, not just the headline price.

Nearby airports that can save you money

• Montréal–Trudeau (YUL): about two hours east, with far more nonstop flights to Europe and the Caribbean. Often worth checking for long-haul trips.
• Ogdensburg (OGS), New York: about an hour south across the border. Low-cost service to Florida has been seasonal and limited, so check what is flying.
• Syracuse (SYR), New York: roughly three and a half hours away, with connections through US hubs.

See our guide to flying from US border airports before committing to a drive.

Getting to YOW without wasting money

Ottawa finally has rail to the airport. O-Train Line 4 opened in January 2025 and runs from South Keys station, where it connects with Line 2, to Airport station at the terminal’s departures level, with a stop at Uplands. From downtown, ride Line 1 to Bayview, change to Line 2 south, then Line 4. A regular OC Transpo fare applies.

Airport parking adds up quickly, so compare the O-Train with a week of parking before you drive.

Tips for YOW

• Compare every domestic trip on Porter, Air Canada and WestJet; prices shift often.
• Search Montréal for Europe, especially in summer.
• Book sun trips for January after the holidays, or for November.
• Check whether your fare includes a checked bag before comparing.

Bottom line

Ottawa has gone from a connecting airport to a competitive one, largely thanks to Porter. Fly in the shoulder seasons, compare Montréal for long-haul trips, and join our free deal alerts so you never miss a capital-region sale.