Considering a “somewhere beachy” trip over christmas for our fam jam of 4. Best shot for something that isnt going to get flights cancelled? Very open to most destinations. Somewhere hot, with sand, chill vibes, happy people.

Hi Sarah,
This is how I would categorize the options available for flying south (beyond U.S.) out of Calgary (YYC) in the next few months.
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1. A flight that connects in Toronto (YYZ).
air canada has had flights to Cancun, Mexico and Montego Bay, Jamaica operating since August out of YYZ.
air canada has also had flights operating to the following destinations out of YYZ for a while: Bahamas, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, and Turks & Caicos.
Many of westjet's scheduled flights out of YYZ to places down south have never materialized.
NOTE: A flight that connects in YYZ on the way home would not qualify for Calgary's new pilot program, since your first point of entry into Canada is not Calgary.
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2. A flight that connects in the U.S.
Out of Calgary, you would want to focus on itineraries that involve United's flights through Denver, or American Airline's flights through Dallas - both of which have been operating for a while now.
For example: Calgary -> Dallas -> Somewhere warm
air canada / United's flights through Houston have yet to materialize.
I see that delta just started back up with flights to Minneapolis, but these are new.
These flights would qualify for the pilot program at YYC, as your first point of entry in Canada is Calgary.
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3. A non-stop (direct) flight from Calgary
The only choice right now is westjet's flights to Mexico (Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, or San Jose del Cabo).
These flights started back up in October. They seem to be doing ok, and I believe westjet has seen an increase in demand since the new pilot program was announced, leading them to add extra flights this month.
westjet has *scheduled* flights for other destinations in December, but it remains to be seen which flights will actually resume, and which will be cancelled. Those destinations include: Costa Rica (LIR) and Hawaii (Oahu, Maui).
air canada has also *scheduled* flights from Calgary to some sun destinations in December, but it remains to be seen if any of those flights will actually resume. Those destinations include: Cancun (CUN), Puerto Vallarta (PVR), Hawaii.
My hunch is that flights to Hawaii will not resume unless Hawaii starts accepting test results from Canadian labs.
Non-stop flights like the above would qualify for the pilot program at YYC.
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Overall, when you factor everything in, Mexico is about the only realistic option for most people travelling from Calgary right now.
https://ydeals.com/where-canadians-can-travel
YDEALS.COM
Where Canadians Can Travel (and what they have to go through to get there) :: Ydeals.com

Chris that's crazy no directs to Cuba, man their tourism must be hurting bad

Erica Lovas Hatch
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Some flights to Cuba are starting to resume from Toronto/Montreal (the only Canadian cities with flights to Cuba right now). air transat just resumed flights from Toronto/Montreal to Holguin (HOG). air canada just resumed flights from Toronto to Varadero today. Havana airport has been closed up until now, but is re-opening on November 10, so flights may resume there from Toronto soon.

Chris thanks so much fir this!
We have huge flight credits we want to use

No problem! Yes, there are a lot of people out there with credits right now.

Jamicia amazing, in Negril great beach great food

Cancun! Book flights and hotel separate to save $ in my experience. Lots of awesome family all inclusives with wicked water parks and often kids “stay free”.

Puerto Vallarta is a good choice

Mandy PV has a lot of covid at the moment

Kim Blenkhorn
Bermuda quick flight and really nice

Just be prepared to quarantine for 14 days on your return.

Caroline You now have the option for a 2 day quarantine if tested at the YYC airport. Makes things much easier

Kayla Isabella Gavan yes, possibly, but Chris is suggesting a connection in Toronto. If they land in To as their first Canadian stop, they won’t qualify. It will then be a domestic flight, not international.

Kayla Isabella Gavan just don't count on it over a month away - things are likely to change! Sadly!

The two day pilot has already started. They would qualify if flying directly from their destination (Mexico for example) back to Alberta. There are plenty of direct flights available.

Playa for us in dec..2 weeks

Just an FYI....AHS is not recognizing the rapid test and some businesses aren't either. You may still not be able to return to work or go to certain businesses until after 14 days. Best to inquire with your work or anything else that may be affected.

Kristin great information. Thanks

Kristin P.S. the pilot is not rapid testing, it's rapid results... So it's the regular nose or throat swab sent to the lab. They just expedite the results.

Béatrice Bou I think she means AHS as an employer us not recognizing it. Those employed by AHS have to still quarantine for 2 weeks.

Rachel then it's not the test they don't recognize... They're simply requiring 14 quarantine after travel, regardless of testing.

I'm not employed by AHS and it won't be recognized either - they are following whatever AHS decides. Not sure how many other businesses will choose the same route as AHS. Just best to check instead of assume is all.

Same for students and teachers...must quarantine for 14 days

It is also a minimum of two days, you still have to wait until you get the resulta

Also. You are v brave and optimistic.

I think Mexico is the best bet, as it’s quick easy flight and doesn’t require quarantine there as far as I’ve heard ?

Ninu need to on return.

Ninu for now maybe. Things are tightening back up everywhere again

Kristen there’s the new program, swab, quarantine til results then swab 6 day later and be out of q if no symptoms and negative again.

Ninu there still is restrictions on whole qualify for this program and what you do for work ect

The question is when you arrive at your destination...do you have to quarantine?

Can’t guarantee hot, but Auburn Bay will have sand, chill vibes and happy people

Anyone know how much is travel medical insurance for a family of 4 with covid coverage ?

Chris
Heather: There are not currently any 'down south' countries that require a quarantine on their end, assuming they are a country that requires a negative test result for entry, and you don't test positive on arrival.
One exception:
Saint Vincent & the Grenadines - mandatory five-day quarantine in a tourism authority/MOHWE-approved hotel.
Nearly all of the Caribbean countries are going with the 'bring a negative test result' strategy instead of quarantine.
Mexico, Jamaica, the Dominican, and Costa Rica are the four countries that do not require a negative test result for entry.
The Dominican Republic is randomly testing 3% to 10% of passengers on arrival with a rapid test, eliminating the requirement for a negative covid-19 test prior to arrival.
more detailed requirements for every country:
https://ydeals.com/where-canadians-can-travel
YDEALS.COM
Where Canadians Can Travel (and what they have to go through to get there) :: Ydeals.com

Ok so chatting with travel agent friends most likely flights departing in a sat returning in a sat will be ur best bet, don’t do any weird durations as most likely those flights will be changed. The pilot program at YYC is only avail for returning in a direct flight only! Also if u qualify its 2 days and a negative rapid test, u have to book another test on 6-7 day and negative again , abide by health check in every day otherwise it will be 14 day quarantine. I’ve been looking into it for my family of 4 and PV or Cabo seems to be the best and fingers crossed all works well

Cheryl where did you hear that for testing when you get home . I was not informed of that and I have already booked are tests

Bev it’s on the Alberta.ca website for all the info formation regarding the pilot program and all the protocols that go along with it

Cheryl can you post that I can’t seem to find that info. Thanks

This is all I can find . I can’t find anything saying that if you are not flying direct that you can’t do the pilot testing. This is what I found.Travellers arriving on domestic flights into Calgary International Airport (for example, if you fly from Mexico to Toronto and then to Calgary, you are not eligible to participate) . So my under standing that if we are flying from San Diego to Dallas and then Calgary we are still flying from out of the states so we would still be able to do this am I correct?

Bev

Bev I’m not 100% but I was under the impression it’s direct with no stop overs at all.

Cheryl Yes, only direct flights into Calgary qualify. If connecting from another city whether TO or a city in US to Calgary then it doesn’t qualify.

We booked Hawaii on the Dreamliner

Sandra what is the dreamliner?

westjet 787 goes direct. Flights are refundable if things fall apart

Sandra you sure about that?

Sandra there isn't a Canadian Lab that can produce the 72 hour negative covid test that Hawaii requires prior to arriving if you don't want ot quarantine. That's what I've heard anyway. I've contacted a few go-to labs and they say - sorry no - we are booked Jan 6th.

Donna I’m still looking into this. I was hoping that WJ would partner with someone on this. I have read that the the rapid airport covid test at the airport will be offering test for a fee but not sure this is the required Hawaii test. I assumed this would be worked out before WJ started flying but if it’s not we will probably have to cancel.

Sandra, what flight is direct from Calgary? I've looked at a couple and there's a connecting flight in Vancouver
. Plus there's the whole testing thing issue as you're finding.

Chanelle the westjet Dreamliner starts up in Dec.

That’s to Maui, maybe you are looking at a different island.

Sandra, yes a different island, drat. Fingers crossed Hawaii starts accepting Cdn test results!!

Chanelle They havent yet??? We are also planning a Maui trip

Joceli, no. I'd proceed with caution or at least be ok with things being cancelled last minute. I'm sure Chris will be the first to tell us when Hawaii starts accepting Canadian lab results.

Chanelle Ohhhhh my dreams are crushed!!!!

Sandra when are you going? To which island?

We are doing the Mayan Riviera over Christmas. Booked it last January before all the covid started. This trip is to take our son and grandchildren so wanted a really family oriented place with lots of activities for the kids. air canada vacations direct from Calgary. We have a great travel agent who goes above and beyond during this covid time if you need.

Bev does your travel insurance cover Covid? Important.

Caroline yes

Bev I just wondered because you said you booked this trip before Covid was in the picture...... Things change

Bev you can get insurance with Medipac

Caroline yes thats true And our agent got us covid insurance

Bev Our travel agent who we have known for over 20 years got full coverage including covid for my son and grandchildren and it didn't cost us an arm and leg. My husband and I have travel insurance under our health insurance that also covers covid.

Yes I got mine for 100.00 for 3 weeks with medipac

Colin Barrett

Best option without taking up a lot of your time reading the comments fly direct to your destination and directly back.

westjet has 4 hour direct flights from yyc to Cabo

Aren't we all "considering, remembering, wishing" for a warm beachy, Foody, drinky vacation. Oh, and no covid.

you are still trusting the airlines?

Jason they are and think sunwing is providing Covid Insurance too
. Good luck to them all when flights get cancelled and no refunds.

Laurie westjet provides Covid insurance and will give you a refund. So they said this week.

Cheryl I have been waiting for 9 months for the $3000 westjet owes me. They have decided only to refund airfare and not westjet Vacations.

Laurie I’m sorry cuz that really sucks. This was on new flights though.

The airlines I trust. The resort, not so much.

I hope it works out for you. Enjoy your vacation.

Los Cabos

Eliza Kurdziel
CHeck out sunwing!!!! They have amazing deals from yyc to Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica and DR. Starting at 800$ per week. And includes Covid insurance

Eliza Kurdziel please tell me what resort & location you can book for 800/wk? Certainly not Christmas when they want to go.

But not refundable if sunwing cancels on you

Following

Belize!!! Casa nova cabanas!

Allan Yeats
West Edmonton Mall Water Park....

mexico

Cabo and then you can also be a flight angel for rescue dogs !

I would only recommend flying direct from YYC to Cancun with a private transfer to a high end resort with established Covid protocols. We booked for January.

Karen may I ask which resort your booked at?

Corey Secrets Akumal

Also check with your travel agent my sister just told me in PV beaches are only allowed to be open 830-330 then it’s lockdown

Cheryl until November 14