Air Transat to Launch a New Loyalty Program

Air Transat has announced that it will launch a new loyalty program in the second half of 2026, in partnership with Desjardins Group and Visa Canada.

The program is billed as offering “accessible and personalized benefits” and an “enriched experience” throughout the customer journey.

According to the joint announcement, the initiative brings together Air Transat and Desjardins, two Quebec based institutions, with Visa providing the payment network and technology piece in the background.

New Air Transat Loyalty Program Coming in 2026

The new program is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2026. Air Transat describes it as a modern, simple and flexible platform designed to reward loyalty and improve the travel experience at each step, from booking to return.

In the press release, Xavier Szwengler, Vice President, Marketing and Distribution at Transat, calls the partnership with Desjardins and Visa Canada a core part of the company’s business strategy and a way to strengthen ties with customers while creating long term value for Transat and its investors.

More specific details, such as the program name, earning structure, redemption options and any status tiers, have not yet been released. Air Transat and its partners state that more information will be shared in the coming months.

Co-Branded Desjardins Visa Cards on the Way

Alongside the loyalty program, Desjardins will launch a new line of co branded Visa credit cards that integrate with the upcoming Air Transat ecosystem.

Nathalie Larue, Executive Vice President, Personal Services and Community Life at Desjardins Group, says the cards are intended to offer “tangible and personalized benefits” for members and clients who travel with Air Transat.

Visa, for its part, highlights that cardholders will benefit from secure, seamless payments backed by Visa’s global network, as well as a focus on travel opportunities and rewards for Canadians using the new products.

At this stage, there is no public information about annual fees, earning rates, insurance coverage, or any Air Transat specific perks such as free checked bags, seat selection, or lounge access.

Those details will determine how competitive these cards are against existing Canadian airline and bank travel products.

Background: From BonBon to a New Platform

The announcement comes after Transat suspended its previous BonBon rewards program in 2025, leaving Air Transat without a consumer facing loyalty currency for a period of time.

It also follows an improved financial picture at Transat A.T. Inc. Industry reports highlight that Transat returned to profitability in its 2025 fiscal year, posting roughly $242 million in net profit after several years of losses, supported by higher yields and an ongoing efficiency program.

Against that backdrop, a renewed focus on loyalty and co branded cards makes sense. For airlines, a well structured program and a strong card portfolio are not just marketing tools, but also significant contributors to revenue and customer retention.

What This Could Mean for Canadian Travellers

For now, this is a high level announcement rather than a full reveal. However, it does confirm that Air Transat intends to compete more directly in the Canadian loyalty landscape, alongside Aeroplan, WestJet Rewards, VIPorter and the many flexible bank points programs.

Air Transat already has a solid presence on leisure routes, particularly to Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and selected destinations in the United States, South America and North Africa.

A dedicated loyalty program with integrated credit cards could give frequent Transat customers a clearer way to earn rewards on both flights and everyday spending.

Whether this becomes a compelling option will depend on a few key elements once revealed:

• How rewards are earned on flights and everyday spending
• How redemptions are priced, and whether it follows a fixed or dynamic pricing model
• Whether the program introduces meaningful tiers or benefits that improve the travel experience

Until those details are published, Air Transat travellers will need to continue relying on existing credit card and bank points strategies if they want to optimize trips that involve the airline.

At the moment, Air Transat already shows up inside another loyalty ecosystem. Through its joint venture with Porter Airlines, VIPorter members can redeem points for Air Transat flights on routes to Europe, the Caribbean and beyond, booked directly on flyporter.com.

Porter and Air Transat have extended their commercial partnership through a joint venture and codeshare agreement that is expected to run until the end of 2032.

That suggests the relationship between the two airlines is intended to be long term, even as Air Transat prepares to launch its own loyalty program.

Once Air Transat’s in house program goes live, the most likely scenario is that it becomes the primary way to earn and redeem on Air Transat when you book directly, especially for travellers who also pick up a future Desjardins co branded card.

VIPorter redemptions on Air Transat could then evolve into a partner style option, similar to how other airline programs offer access to select partners at program specific pricing.

Of course, this is not confirmed, and both airlines have only said that more details will come later. For now, VIPorter remains a useful way to access some Air Transat routes using points, and it will be interesting to see whether Air Transat’s own program eventually complements that option or competes with it.

Conclusion

Air Transat has confirmed that a new loyalty program is on the way for the second half of 2026, built around a three way partnership with Desjardins and Visa Canada and accompanied by a suite of co branded credit cards.

For now, the announcement sets the direction but not the fine print. Once Air Transat publishes full details on earning, redemption and card benefits, it will be possible to see how this new program stacks up against established options in the Canadian market and whether it deserves a spot in your travel strategy.