Sunwing Expands Thunder Bay Service, Adds Punta Cana

Image: The Riu Palaca, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. (PHOTO: RIU)
Image: The Riu Palaca, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. (PHOTO: RIU)
by Jim Byers
Last updated: 11:08 AM ET, Tue July 31, 2018

Sunwing is giving Northern Ontario residents better access to great winter sun spots.

The airline has announced it's returning to Thunder Bay for a ninth season this coming winter and adding a new direct flight service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for the first time.

With the introduction of this new service, vacationers departing from Thunder Bay will enjoy convenient and direct access to three of the travel company's most popular vacation destinations. Along with adding new weekly flights to Punta Cana operating between Dec. 19, 2018 and March 27, 2019, the travel company is bringing back its popular winter flight services to Varadero, Cuba and Cancun, Mexico that will be available between Nov. 6, 2018 and March 26, 2019 and Dec. 24, 2018 and April 1, 2019 respectively.

Renowned for its white sand beaches fringed with swaying palm trees and turquoise waters, Punta Cana offers vacationers a perfect blend of fun, relaxation and entertainment. Travellers can look forward to spending lazy days on the beach, teeing off on a world class golf course or exploring on both land and sea by adding a Sunwing Experience to their package. Options range from whizzing through the jungle canopy on a zipline, embarking on an jeep safari or snuba diving in search of myriads of tropical fish.

"We are delighted to be returning to Thunder Bay this coming season and to be offering our customers even more choice from their doorstep; without the need to make the long winter drive to Toronto or change planes to reach the sunny south," said Sunwing President of Tour Operations, Andrew Dawson. "Our seasonal flight services from Thunder Bay have always been well received and we are very pleased to be able to expand our operations even further this year.

"Punta Cana is consistently one of our most popular vacation hotspots and we are sure that it will become a perennial favourite with our customers in Thunder Bay for many years to come."

"Thunder Bay Airport welcomes Sunwing's latest expansion in our market," said Ed Schmidtke, President and CEO of Thunder Bay International Airports Authority Inc. "Sunwing has a long positive history in Thunder Bay. With three destinations and a schedule that spans four months, Sunwing offers Thunder Bay tremendous winter getaway options."

As the number one for family, adult and luxury vacations, Sunwing offers a wide range of resort options in Punta Cana, including the new Grand Memories Punta Cana. This modern, all-inclusive resort caters to all types of travellers with elegant accommodations, unlimited free access to one of the largest on-site water parks in the Caribbean, complimentary kids club, two adults-only pools within the extensive pool complex and varied specialty restaurants. Golfers will also appreciate the discounted green fees at nearby Punta Blanca Golf Club, an 18-hole championship course designed by Nick Price.

Recently renovated and featuring a bold new modern décor, Riu Palace Punta Cana combines an enviable location on Arena Gorda Beach with an extensive pool complex, RiuLand Kids Club, indulgent spa and state of the art gym. Plus, vacationers who travel with Sunwing will enjoy exclusive RIU®-topia inclusions such as unlimited à la carte dining, spa discounts and much more.

To book your next all inclusive vacation visit www.sunwing.ca or contact your travel agent.

Topics From This Article to Explore

Featured Video

Jim Byers

Senior Editorial Director

Senior Editorial DirectorJim Byers was travel editor for five years at the Toronto Star, which has the largest travel section in North America. He has also had his own travel blog for years and now writes destination stories for several publications, including Postmedia and Sun Media websites newspapers across Canada...and now TravelPulse Canada.

Get To Know Us Better

Advertise with UsTravelPulse Canada has been voted #1 by Travel Advisors in Canada year after year.. Let us help you connect with them.
Follow us on Social MediaDaily updates on Travel industry news and events across our social media channels stay current follow along!
Advertise with UsTravelPulse Canada has been voted #1 by Travel Advisors in Canada year after year.. Let us help you connect with them.
Follow us on Social MediaDaily updates on Travel industry news and events across our social media channels stay current follow along!

Become A Travel Expert

Watch Now!
Worry-Free Access to the World - Part 3Monday, November 2, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for Worry-Free Access to the World, a webinar...
Watch Now!
Mexico for the Western Traveler Part 2: 2026Tuesday, October 29, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West and TravelPulse in the virtual studios for Discover Mexico for the...
Watch Now!
River Cruises PlusMonday, October 26, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, TravelPulse and leaders from top river cruise companies to get the...
Watch Now!
Worry-Free Access to the World - Part 3Monday, November 2, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse for Worry-Free Access to the World, a webinar...
Watch Now!
Mexico for the Western Traveler Part 2: 2026Tuesday, October 29, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West and TravelPulse in the virtual studios for Discover Mexico for the...
Watch Now!
River Cruises PlusMonday, October 26, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, TravelPulse and leaders from top river cruise companies to get the...