Pack your bags, grab your cowboy boots, and get ready to saddle up. There’s a new airline launching out of Calgary next year, and it’s bringing the Wild West to the skies.
Rodeo Skies is a new Canadian airline focusing solely on Canadian flights. “There’s been a big push to make domestic travel more affordable in Canada,” says Cal Garrison, CEO and founder of the new airline.
“We decided to create an option that focused exclusively on Canadian routes to keep costs down and encourage local tourism. Being from Calgary ourselves, we wanted to pay homage to our Western routes and make the flight part of the experience.”
Pricey Canadian flights have long been a source of strain among travellers. “For everyday Canadians, it’s hard to justify booking a trip to destinations like PEI when it costs as much as a flight to Europe,” Garrison explains.
Rodeo Skies has been in the works for a while, having purchased a large part of its fleet from sell-offs. The process of refitting over a dozen planes began late last year, with the airline saying they plan to acquire more. The goal is to launch with a fleet of 25 aircrafts in 2026.
With cheaper flights on the horizon and local tourism picking up speed, this couldn’t come at a better time.
The in-flight experience
Rodeo Skies is fueled by a mission to make Canadian travel more sought-after. Garrison says, “We want to offer a unique Wild West experience that brings Canadians closer to their roots with comfort, fun, and a sense of adventure.”
Here’s how they’re doing it.
Western-inspired cabin
It’ll still be a plane, but unlike anything you’ve flown in before. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a saloon with wood panelling, rustic leather seats, and a distinctly Western vibe.
The cabin crew will be sporting their very best cowboy attire with boots, denim vests, and paisley bandana scarves. Sherif star pins will be given to passengers seated in the emergency exit row, and it’s rumoured that those who choose to fly dressed up on theme will get extra snacks!
Wild West entertainment
Of course, even if you’re flying domestically, you still want in-flight entertainment.
All seats on Rodeo Skies airplanes are equipped with touchscreen displays pre-loaded with thousands of Western movies and TV shows. Watch classic Clint Eastwood films or popular series like Yellowstone.
Loyalty program
If you plan on making Canadian travel a new habit, then consider signing up for the Frontier Flyer program. This rewards program allows you to earn ‘spurs’ every time you fly, which can be redeemed for perks like priority boarding, in-flight upgrades, seat discounts, or Rodeo Skies merch.
When can you fly?
While the airline will be based out of Calgary, you can expect fares for all major Canadian routes like Vancouver to Toronto, Vancouver to Calgary, and Calgary to Toronto. There are also plans to offer routes like Calgary to Whitehorse, Montreal, Halifax, and Fredericton, among others. So, it’s time to get out there and explore!
Pending a hiring fair planned for later in 2025, Rodeo Skies hopes to be up and operational by the summer of 2026. Maybe just in time for out-of-towners to book their flights to Stampede?
Stay tuned; we’ll be posting more updates as they come.
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Alicia Lyons
Branded Content Writer
Alicia is a storyteller who chased the sun all the way to Calgary and decided to stay. When she’s not crafting killer content, she can be found stumbling along nature trails, curling under a fuzzy blanket with a good book, or finding any excuse to eat.
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