Calm Air
A Canadian regional airline linking Winnipeg and northern Manitoba with remote communities across Nunavut, using passenger and combi aircraft suited to northern operations.
About Calm Air
Calm Air is a Canadian scheduled regional airline founded in 1962 by Carl and Gail Morberg in Churchill, Manitoba. The carrier developed around the practical transport needs of northern communities, where long distances and limited surface connections make aviation essential. It is now part of Exchange Income Corporation, a Canadian company with several aviation businesses, while retaining the Calm Air name and its focus on Manitoba and Nunavut.
Rankin Inlet is Calm Air's busiest departure hub, followed by Winnipeg, Thompson, Churchill and Arviat. Its network covers 17 destinations within Canada across 47 routes, connecting larger regional centres with communities such as Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Repulse Bay, Gillam, Flin Flon and The Pas. Many itineraries are designed around essential regional access rather than conventional leisure travel.
Aircraft associated with Calm Air operations include the Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR 42-300/320, Boeing 737-200 Combi, British Aerospace Jetstream 32 and Saab SF-340. These turboprop and combi types are suited to relatively short northern routes, smaller airports and mixed passenger-cargo demand. Service is generally configured as a straightforward regional economy product, with amenities varying according to aircraft type, route length and operational requirements.
Calm Air is not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld. Eligible passengers can participate in Aeroplan, Air Canada's loyalty programme, subject to the earning and redemption conditions applicable to Calm Air flights. Travellers should confirm eligibility from the fare rules before booking because partner-airline mileage credit, status benefits and redemption availability may differ from those offered on flights operated directly by Air Canada.
The airline's principal strength is its specialised northern network, which provides direct links among communities that often have few practical alternatives. Operations in Manitoba and Nunavut can nevertheless be affected by severe weather, changing visibility and local airport conditions. Passengers should leave extra time for connections, monitor flight status closely and avoid placing inflexible onward arrangements immediately after a northern flight when possible.
Good to know
Flying with Calm Air — what to expect
Northern Weather Disruptions
Weather and visibility can change quickly across Calm Air's northern network. Build flexibility into connections and check flight status before travelling to the airport.
Aircraft May Vary
Calm Air uses regional turboprops and combi aircraft, so cabin layout, storage space and onboard amenities can differ by route and operating aircraft.
Carry-On Space
Overhead and cabin storage can be limited on smaller aircraft. Pack compactly and be prepared for larger cabin bags to be checked or placed in an approved storage area.
Baggage Rules
Allowances and charges depend on the fare and itinerary. Confirm the current policy before departure, especially when carrying bulky, heavy or essential equipment.
Connection Planning
Winnipeg, Rankin Inlet and Thompson are important connecting points in the network. Leave a generous buffer for separate tickets or time-sensitive onward travel.
Aeroplan Eligibility
Some eligible Calm Air fares may earn Aeroplan points. Review the fare conditions and retain your boarding pass until the points have posted.
Network overview
Where Calm Air flies
Calm Air operates 47 routes to 17 destinations across 1 countries, its longest sector reaching Yellowknife to Ottawa (3,100 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Calm Air flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Yellowknife → Ottawa
3,100 km · YZF → YOW
The longest sector in the Calm Air network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Calm Air
Notable destinations on Calm Air's network.
MORankin InletdirectMOWinnipegdirectMOChurchilldirectMOThompsondirectMOArviatdirectMOBaker LakedirectMOChesterfield InletdirectMOCoral HarbourdirectMOFlin FlondirectMOGillamdirectMORepulse BaydirectMOThe PasdirectDestination list is indicative of Calm Air's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
Reviews of Calm Air
TripAdvisor · 2016–2022- 54
- 411
- 34
- 23
- 15
What travellers flew
Counted from the 27 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
Comfortable flights
My wife and I recently flew on Calm Air from Winnipeg to Churchill and return. The plane was a turboprop with 62 seats. Neither flight was full - the first had only 14 passengers and the return was about half full. There were no assigned seats - they say… See more because of COVID, which I found strange as some of their other flights leaving from Winnipeg to other destinations had assigned seats, just like the ‘big boy airlines’. The check-in staff and flight attendants on both segments were all friendly and helpful. No meals served on the plane but they did have snacks - small packs of Oreos, ritz, etc. There was more than ample space between seat rows which was a nice departure from the mainstream airlines. The flight was only 2.5 hours. Since this is the only airline flying this route, it’s either this or the 2-day VIA Rail train to get to Churchill. Plus the flights are not cheap! I would not hesitate to fly with Calm Air again.
See lessPosted October 2022 by Thon, Ottawa
Literally the worse airline
I have travelled for work innumerable times in Calm Air because I have no other choice. Flights are exorbitantly expensive, they are late all the time (by hours, but minutes), flights and cancelled and/or rescheduled without notice. It is a true crime that… See more business could operate on such principals. They prey on people with no other transportation option, notably northern isolated First Nation communities and folks seeking medical attention.
See lessPosted June 2022 by condar, The Pas
WHAT A REGIONAL AIRLINE
The airline flight was a standard type of regional type of airline flight - the aircraft were well maintained, good seating and good cabin service. The booking service was exceptional - we were rung up by the booking service representative (Canada ringing… See more Australia) when we had problems booking and paying for the flight - well done. There was alot of confusion on the ankine to Churchill leg of the flight due to double booking of seats, but this was quickly resolved to get the plane airbourne. Overall would recommend this company.
See lessPosted November 2019 by Robdiner
Flying Calm, Arriving Calm
Leaving Winnepeg, Manitoba in a blizzard, on a small aircraft was a bit disconcerting, but CALM Air did a wonderful job for us. The winds were blowing hard that day and it was sleeting, but they de-iced our craft and we flew north with no issues. The service… See more onboard was very nice, with plenty of snacks and drinks. Because it was a charter and we were not a full plane, we had tons of room.
See lessPosted October 2019 by Dee K, Austin
Above and beyond
I was a little apprehensive about flying a small airline to the far north, but I have to say I was delightfully surprised. This was absolutely the best customer service I have ever had on an air flight. We were given multiple opportunities for snacks and/or… See more drinks with a smile. But, more imprtantly, the airlines changed their service to accommodate several passengers stuck in Churchill, Manitoba. Due to inclement, our flight was cancelled to fly us from Churchill to Winnipeg, so they rerouted a plane to come get us so that all of us could make our connecting flights. Truly, they gave me the best service I have ever received from an airline. I highly recommend them!
See lessPosted March 2019 by Diane V, Fort Worth
meh
well not sure how to start this review. they are for the most part one of the crappiest airlines known to man. they are constantly making up excuses be them mechanical or crew related. saying the weather is bad when its not. een going so far as to tell us… See more sorry we are not flying to your community today because we forgot to tell the Crew about a schedule change like really surprise they remember to fuel the planes. oh and while we are on the subject of the planes how about cleaning them every now and then smelly and gross .
See lessPosted October 2018 by willh0dg, Sanikiluaq
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
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FAQ
Calm Air — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Carry-on limits depend on the fare, route and aircraft, and smaller regional cabins may have restricted storage. Check Calm Air's current baggage rules before departure and be prepared for larger items to be placed in checked or designated storage.
- Fares are generally more competitive when booked early and outside peak holiday or community-travel periods. Compare flexible dates, but remember that service frequency can be limited on some northern routes.
- Calm Air serves communities across Manitoba and Nunavut, including Winnipeg, Rankin Inlet, Thompson, Churchill, Arviat, Baker Lake, Coral Harbour and The Pas.
- The busiest departure points are Rankin Inlet, Winnipeg, Thompson, Churchill and Arviat, in that order by number of routes.
- Calm Air's longest route is Yellowknife to Ottawa, covering about 3,100 km nonstop.
- Rankin Inlet is Calm Air's busiest departure hub. Winnipeg, Thompson, Churchill and Arviat are also major departure and connecting points in its network.
- Calm Air serves exactly 17 destinations across 1 country, Canada, operating 47 routes.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.