For years, Mardi and Mercredi were considered the cheapest days to fly. But 2026 data shows a clear shift — Jeudi has taken the top spot for the cheapest departure day from canadien airports including Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), and Montreal (YUL).
The reason is simple: business travel patterns have changed. Business travelers used to fly out Lundi and return Vendredi. Now, they're heading home earlier — many wrapping up by Mercredi or Jeudi. This leaves Jeudi flights with fewer business travelers competing for seats, which drives prices down for leisure travelers like you.
Jeudi flights from Canada are consistently priced lower than Vendredi or Dimanche departures. Mardi is the second cheapest option if Jeudi doesn't work for your schedule.
| Day | Price Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Jeudi | Cheapest | Best day to depart internationally |
| Mardi | Cheap | Fewer crowds + good prices |
| Mercredi | Cheap | Good for short trips |
| Lundi | Average | Start of week business travel |
| Samedi | Average | Popular for vacation starts |
| Vendredi | Expensive | Peak leisure + business travel |
| Dimanche | Most Expensive | Everyone returning home |
The savings vary by route, but the difference between a Jeudi and a Dimanche departure on the same route can be significant. On popular routes from Toronto to Europe, choosing Jeudi over Dimanche can save anywhere from $80 to $200 CAD on a round-trip ticket.
For short-haul routes to the US or within Canada, the difference is smaller but still worth considering — especially if your schedule has flexibility.
If you really want to stretch your travel budget, combine a Jeudi departure with a September travel date. September is the cheapest month for international travel from Canada, with flights to Amsterdam and Dublin dropping up to 41% compared to summer.
A Jeudi departure in September to Europe from Toronto could save you $200 to $300 CAD compared to a Vendredi departure in July — that's a significant chunk of your travel budget freed up for experiences.
• Book Jeudi flights at least 15–30 days in advance for international routes
• If Jeudi doesn't work, Mardi is your next best option
• Avoid Vendredi and Dimanche departures whenever possible
• Use FlightDay to compare prices across multiple days at once
Search and compare flights from all canadien airports on FlightDay — free, fast, no hidden fees.
Rechercher des vols →