Adelaide → Toronto (Apr 2026) — Qantas ~24hr Vs Air Canada ~32hr, Fares ~A$1,900 — Book Now or Wait?

Sunny10 on 12/09/2025 - 17:29
Last edited 12/09/2025 - 17:42

I am planning a family trip (5 people) from Adelaide to Toronto in April next year. I am looking at Qantas and Air Canada.

Qantas total travel time is around 24 hours, Air Canada is closer to 32 hours. Both are showing about $1,900 return right now per pax.

Some Qantas tickets have a code share with WestJet in Canada. I have heard WestJet is a bit like Jetstar here, with more chance of cancellations. Has anyone had issues when connecting with WestJet on a Qantas ticket? Also, how's Air Canda overall experience?

Do you think $1,900 return is a good fare to book now, or should I wait a few more months?

Also, we have to go and Visit a relative in Calgary where fly is cheaper then Toronto. Wondering if better to fly there directly then?

Any advice or experiences would be great. Thanks!

Travel

Comments

  • jjjaar on 12/09/2025 - 17:33

    What are the connecting airports? Do either go through USA?

    $1900 is a good price, especially for only 24 hour travel, but this all depends on the above questions.

    • Sunny10 on 12/09/2025 - 17:40

      USA- avoiding after i heard so many things about stopping Aussies. I am looking a different option outside USA. Also checked HK route, but no sale currently.

      • spackbace on 12/09/2025 - 19:15

        Air Canada from Singapore is showing as $1300 to Vancouver, not sure if that helps

        Auckland to Vancouver, on Air NZ is $1760

  • lazydesi on 12/09/2025 - 18:16

    I recently did this trip.

    west jet are notorious to delay and cancellations .

    I have impacted thrice during my trip.

    they dont compensate for any delays or cancellations.

    it will hard to get any information from them if its delayed or cancelled.

    unfortunately you cant avoid them if you are travelling with qantas.

    Calgary is beautiful part of canada, I suggest you fly to Calgary and spend more time in rocky mountains.

    in Toronto , apart from Niagara falls you are not missing anything big

    • 6079 Smith on 13/09/2025 - 09:08

      You say that but AC just shut down their operations for a few days due to industrial action and they’re arguably no closer to having a deal signed with the flight attendants so it seems that labour stoppages may continue to be an issue for the foreseeable future

  • freefall101 on 12/09/2025 - 18:26

    Internal flights in Canada are always expensive, I used to live in Vancouver, flights to Toronto always cost more than Melb-Perth does (I haven't done that flight since pre-covid though). Air Canada and Westjet are basically the same, both tend to have very minimal space for carry on I found. Westjet are a bit renowned for losing stuff though.

    Qantas total travel time is around 24 hours, Air Canada is closer to 32 hours

    That sounds like you land in Brisbane the night before early to Vancouver on Air Canada. It's really annoying to try get that one (I can usually make it on the first flight from Melb to Brisbane). Overnight in Brisbane airport wouldn't be great fun.

    Air Canada is good, generic airline, no issues. Handy that you can get through with just one border crossing with their Syd/Bris to Vancouver flights, instead of going through San Fran/HK/Auckland (Air NZ going Ade > Auck > Van > Toronto is an option).

    Also, we have to go and Visit a relative in Calgary where fly is cheaper then Toronto. Wondering if better to fly there directly then?

    AFAIK you either go vancouver > calgary > toronto on the way there or reverse on the way back (unless you fly through the US). Might be worth booking on Air Canada just so you can get it all in one booking, but I'm not sure if you can keep the same baggage allowance for the whole thing, I assume not.

    I used to work 2 weeks each year in Calgary, unless you're interested in the stampede there is absolutely nothing to do there. Except eat, they try to be like Texas so the burgers and steaks are always huge. Or hopefully they'll drive you over to the rockies/lake louise.

  • MrThing on 12/09/2025 - 18:45
    +4

    whatever route you take avoid transiting via the USA at all costs

    I think qantas only has one direct route to canada all the others go via the USA

  • try2bhelpful on 12/09/2025 - 19:13
    -1

    It was about 20 years ago that we flew to Canada. We went through America and wish we hadn’t. Internally we mostly went by train. The Rocky Mountaineer was terrific, the cross Canada sleeper train was great. Not cheap though.

  • spackbace on 12/09/2025 - 19:25

    Google flights link

    I think I omitted all the US airports, plug in your own dates etc

  • djkelly69 on 12/09/2025 - 20:02

    US ESTAs will run you ~US$200 for a family of 5 unless you apply before the end of the month, so keep that in mind for your calcs.

    Also make sure you are comparing apples with apples, as WestJet doesn't always include luggage and AC basic fares don't either.

    • surfingedge on 13/09/2025 - 07:58
      +1

      They don't need US ESTAs

      • djkelly69 on 13/09/2025 - 09:14

        They do if they are transitting through the US, which some QF (and other non AC) flight options will.

        • surfingedge on 13/09/2025 - 09:34
          +1

          They aren't transiting the US

  • Stewardo on 13/09/2025 - 18:43
    +1

    You would be better off buying a multicity flight
    Adelaide- Calgary then Toronto-Adelaide
    $1700 in April. Then make separate internal travel arrangements.

    • Sunny10 on 14/09/2025 - 00:06

      which airlines? May be other way around to go first Toronto, then Calgary

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