From Bangor, Maine to Seattle, Washington Canadians are crossing the border to take advantage of lower cost flights. Our high Canadian dollar is a factor, but it's really because of higher airport rents, taxes and fees on flights originating from Canada.

Now a new survey from The Canadian Hotel Association says that in 2010 21% of Canadians used an American airport as their starting point for flights. The Association is urging Ottawa to eliminate or reduce the various fees on travel which they say is driving Canadians over the border. Association President Tony Pollard says: "The study also found that as many as 11% of Canadian who have not used a U.S. airport may do so this year. That's means we could have almost one third of Canadians using U.S. airports in 2011. The number is growing rapidly and we are very concerned."

The Association says it's not just airlines that are affected when Canadians cross the border to fly. It also means Canadians don't use Canadian hotels, restaurants or visit Canadian tourist attraction in the vicinity of airports. The issue of cross border flying is always a contentious one. Some view using American airports as unpatriotic, while others say the savings are too good to pass up.

Another factor is that more then 80% of Canadians live within a one hour's drive of the border, so it may actually be easier to drive to an American airport than a Canadian one. Also, the deals are not always better using a U.S. airport. Supply and demand, the airline and booking ahead will dramatically affect the price you pay. As always comparison shop and factor in other costs associated with the trip such as drive time, fuel, parking and hotel costs.

Key Points:

  • The percentage of Canadians who said they travelled to a U.S. airport for a flight in 2010 rose to 21 per cent, up from 18 per cent in 2009
  • 11 per cent of the 1,627 travellers surveyed also said they may head to the United States for a flight for the first time in 2011
  • The survey was conducted by the Hotel Association of Canada
  • The association says this could potentially lead to nearly five million Canadian passengers crossing the border in 2011 to airports in places like Buffalo and Plattsburgh, New York, North Dakota, Bangor, Maine, and Seattle in search of a cheaper flight
  • Both the HAC and National Airlines Council of Canada argue that this highlights the need for the government to reduce airport fees, travel costs and airline surcharges

Sample Fares:

American Airlines Round-Trip Flights

Toronto to New York: $400

Buffalo to New York: $177

Air Canada Round-Trip Flight

Montreal to Orlando $629

United Airways Round-Trip Flight

Burlington, VT to Orlando $308

WestJet Round-Trip-Flight

Vancouver to Las Vegas $582

Alaska Airlines Round-Trip Flight

Bellingham, WA to Las Vegas $366

.