‘Just Getting Started:’ Flair Celebrates 20 Years

Back in 2005, a small charter airline in Kelowna, BC, took off with a big idea – and a challenging one in this country —  to make flying affordable for everyone. 

On August 19, Flair Airlines celebrated “rewriting the rules of Canadian aviation for two decades.”

“We’ve grown, we’ve evolved, and we’ve kept the rebellious, challenger spirit that got us off the ground in the first place,” said Maciej Wilk, CEO of Flair Airlines. “The status quo doesn’t serve Canadians. We’re here to change it, and we’re just getting started.”

From a handful of charter flights to a fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft serving destinations across Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean, Flair says its focus has never changed: to make air travel accessible, reliable, and easier for everyone. 

It hasn’t all been smooth skies. The airline industry is never easy, and there were times when many thought Flair wouldn’t make it. But the airline says its 1,000+ team members “have stayed locked on the mission, helping millions of Canadians skip the overpriced status quo.”

“We’ve had 20 years of growth, change, and resilience, and the best part is, we’re still the underdog,” added Wilk. “We’re here for the long haul, and we’re not done flipping the script on Canadian air travel.” 

Here’s a quick synopsis of Flair through the years:

2005 – Flair is born as a charter airline in Kelowna, BC. 

2017 – Flair launches scheduled low-cost service and moves HQ to Edmonton. 

2019 – The dot lands as Flair rolls out a bold new look. 

2021 – First Boeing 737 MAX joins the fleet (and it’s been MAX ever since). 

2023 – Flying in five countries across North America. 

2024 – Flair launches the On-Time Guarantee. 

2025 – Flair FWD takes off: a promise to keep making travel easier.