by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 7:30 AM ET, Thu December 11, 2025
Flight Centre celebrated its 30th anniversary in Canada on December 8 at its Toronto head office.
“The first 30 years built our foundation,” said Chris Lynes, Managing Director of Flight Centre Travel Group Canada. “The next 30 will define what’s possible.”
Three Decades in Canada
Speaking to guests dressed in the brand’s signature red, Anita Emilio, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Flight Centre Canada, paid tribute to the company’s beginnings.
“In 1995, Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner brought Flight Centre from Australia to Canada with a simple but bold vision: disrupt the market with discounted fares, create a one-stop shop for travellers, and inject fresh energy into the industry,” she said. “Despite global disruptions—from September 11 to the COVID-19 pandemic—we’ve stayed strong. Tonight, we honour that resilience.”
Growth Ahead: New Stores, New Talent, New Tech
Lynes told attendees that the company is entering one of its strongest periods on record.
“The past two years have been the strongest in our 30-year history in the Canadian market—we’re halfway through our financial year, and right now, it all points to another incredible year,” he said.
He noted that Flight Centre Travel Group Canada reported nearly 7% year-over-year growth in total transaction value in the first quarter of 2026. The company opened its first new retail store since the pandemic last May at Toronto’s Royal Bank Plaza, with two more coming this fiscal year—one in Toronto and one in Vancouver. Nationally, it plans to scale to 20 to 25 stores in the next three to five years.
This growth also means new hiring, with recruitment planned across the country.
People at the Core
Even as technology plays a larger role in travel, Lynes emphasized that human support remains essential.
“Travellers want someone who can answer the phone when plans change—be it weather disruptions, geopolitical instability or airline strikes,” he said. “That’s where Flight Centre excels—and why we continue to invest deeply in our teams and the experience we deliver.”
The company is also integrating new tools to support its advisors. This week, it launched Co-Consult, an AI research platform that uses historical booking data and preferred products to help advisors build customized itineraries. Consultants then use their expertise to translate those insights into client-ready travel plans.
Training, Partnerships and Industry Collaboration
Flight Centre’s dedication to education was on display the following day at its annual conference and supplier trade show at Novotel Toronto Centre. More than 80 travel experts gathered for in-person training on AI, intentional selling, earned media and supplier updates.
The event drew gold sponsors Air Canada, Collette, G Adventures and Qantas, along with airline, tour, hotel and cruise partners.
“They’ve believed in us, challenged us, and helped us deliver for travellers when it mattered most,” said Lynes. “Their support has been instrumental in our continued success.”
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