Canadians are demonstrating their patriotism with their wallets and actively showing support for Canada by seeking out homegrown goods. The “buy Canadian” trend extends beyond the grocery store aisle to Canadians’ travel plans, with many foregoing U.S. travel and planning trips closer to home.

But as the old saying goes, it’s not just about the destination but the journey. For travellers looking to support Canadian businesses, starting with a proudly Canadian booking platform is one way to get your “elbows up.”

“FlightHub was founded in Montréal in 2012 and continues to grow across the country, with Montréal serving as a strategic base for our national operations,” says Henri Chelhot, CEO of FlightHub. “We prioritize the hiring of local talent across core business functions including technology, customer service, and product development. The work we do contributes real value, not only through the volume of travel we facilitate, but through the jobs we create and the Canadian partners we support.”

Shaped by how Canadians actually travel

As a truly made-in-Canada travel engine, FlightHub delivers not just a way to support Canadian businesses but a unique understanding of Canadians’ travel needs. 

“FlightHub is shaped by how Canadians actually travel,” Chelhot says. “We understand the trade-offs people make when flying between regions, the need for reliable support in both French and English, and the importance of price transparency when planning on a budget. Our platform reflects those realities at every step.”

Flights are just the start of FlightHub’s robust offerings. The company helps simplify the full journey through a growing number of integrated services. “Canadians often piece together their trips across multiple services, which adds time, stress, and cost. FlightHub brings more of that journey into one place,” Chelhot says. “Through a growing number of partnerships, travellers can rent cars through Turo, arrange baby gear with BabyQuip, activate eSIMs through Celitech, exchange currency with ICE, and access other essentials, all from the same platform.” Even for those travelling internationally, FlightHub’s homegrown partnerships, technologies and workforce offer a way to support Canadian businesses.

Domestic travel on the rise

As the U.S. trade conflict continues to evolve, the company is also paying close attention to the impact on Canadians’ travel preferences. 

According to FlightHub booking data, cross-border travel to the U.S. dropped by 26 per cent in February and another 13 per cent in March. At the same time, Canadian destinations are seeing a surge, with domestic searches up from 13 to 18 per cent year over year, reaching an all-time high on the platform, generating the most searches of global destinations. 

These shifts are creating new challenges (namely affordability) as well as new opportunities to support communities across the country and to draw attention to the diverse beauty and attractions that exist—from coast to coast to coast.

Trips that invest in Canada

By helping more people travel within the country, FlightHub keeps tourism dollars circulating locally. This activity supports Canadian airlines, accommodations and service providers, creating ripple effects for jobs, small businesses and regional economies. 

“We invest in the communities where we operate,” says Bianca Cuffaro, Human Resources Business Partner at FlightHub. “For example, FlightHub partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Island, Make-A-Wish Canada, and West Island Mission, supporting youth, families, and neighbourhoods through financial contributions and event sponsorships.” 

Partnerships with student unions at York University, McMaster University, the University of Manitoba, and Univeristé Laval also make travel—whether for study or work, to see family, or for pleasure—more accessible to a new generation of Canadian travellers. “Through FlightHub Students, we reduce financial barriers for Canadian post-secondary students who might otherwise be unable to travel,” says Chelhot. “By offering discounted rates on flights, hotels, and car rentals, this program helps students see more of the country while balancing the cost of tuition, rent, and living.”

Together, these efforts reflect FlightHub’s broader commitment to strengthening Canada’s travel infrastructure and ensuring more people can explore the country they call home.

Spotlighting Canadian perspectives

With Canadian pride running strong, FlightHub is also giving travellers an opportunity to highlight their love for our country. The company’s national photography contest, Right Here, Right Wow, invites Canadians to share images of the places and moments they feel make the country remarkable. Winning entries are awarded travel prizes to Canadian destinations and features as a part of FlightHub’s Proudly Canadian initiatives. 

“It’s a creative way to put Canadian perspectives at the centre of the conversation and encourage more people to see our country through fresh eyes,” Chelhot says.

In a moment when more Canadians are choosing to stay local and support national brands, FlightHub is proving that travel can be both a personal experience and a patriotic one, while helping drive the economy forward.

To learn more, visit flighthub.com.