$161 Cheap Flights from Ottawa (YOW) to Thunder Bay (YQT)

Popular airlines from Ottawa International Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay, ON (YQT-Thunder Bay Intl.)

Cheap Flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay (YOW-YQT)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $161 for one-way flights and $262 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Porter Airlines
Porter Airlines
Porter Airlines
Porter Airlines
Porter Airlines
Porter Airlines
Porter Airlines
Air Transat
Porter Airlines
Air Canada

Find the cheapest month to fly from Ottawa (YOW) to Thunder Bay (YQT)

January is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $220 - $484 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Flights from Ottawa (YOW) to Thunder Bay (YQT)
Origin airport
Macdonald-Cartier Intl.
Destination airport
Thunder Bay Intl.
Airlines serving
Porter Airlines
Roundtrip price
$262
Distance
677 mi
Average flight time
2 hours 20 mins

Ottawa to Thunder Bay Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Ottawa to Thunder Bay

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay are during the month of July. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Ottawa to Thunder Bay

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Ottawa to Thunder Bay: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Ottawa to Thunder Bay

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Ottawa to Thunder Bay in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $161 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Ottawa to Thunder Bay flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Ottawa to Thunder Bay airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT) cost?
Cheap return fares from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT) start at $277. This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a Porter Airlines flight leaving YOW on July 12 2025 and touching down at YQT. The price was last updated on June 29 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from YOW to YQT?
The cheapest flights from YOW to YQT are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT)?
You can fly straight from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT) on a Porter Airlines flight.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from YOW to YQT?
Jet off from YOW to YQT with Porter Airlines. This carrier currently offers the cheapest one-way ticket on this route, starting at $146. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from YOW on July 30 2025. Prices were last updated on June 29 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT)?
On average, there's only 1 direct flight leaving from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT) every day. If this isn't convenient for you, think about flights with a layover. Just filter your search results on Expedia to include one or two stops to find the next best option.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT)?
More people fly between YOW and YQT at 6 PM than at any other point in the day. Prefer a quieter experience? Try choosing a quieter departure window and there's a chance you'll save on your ticket as well.
What day of the week has the most flights from YOW to YQT?
Jet off on a Friday if you're looking for the best choice of flights from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT).
What is the earliest flight from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT)?
Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW)'s first flight to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT) departs at approximately 9:25AM UTC-5. With a total journey time of 2h 33m, you'll land at around 11:58AM UTC-5.
How long does it take to fly from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT)?
Flights from YOW to YQT have an average travel time of 2 hours and 33 minutes. The distance between the two is 680 mi.
What airline has the least delays from YOW to YQT?
With 80% of journeys typically landing on time, Porter Airlines has the best on-time performance for direct flights from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT). To check your flight status and receive notifications if anything changes, simply head to the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT)?
Opt for a flight from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT) that takes off before 3 PM to reduce the likelihood of delays. Departures after this time have a 22% higher chance of being canceled, on average.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for Thunder Bay from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW)?
Browse your flight options from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT). This is the only airport in Thunder Bay you can touch down at if you're taking a direct flight.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT) last-minute?
Last-minute fares from YOW to YQT are usually more expensive. To lock in the cheapest rates, start looking for flights as early as possible. That being said, if you can play around with your travel dates, you may land a cheap fare right before your trip.
Is it cheaper to book a YOW to YQT flight and hotel package?
You'll typically save money by booking a YOW to YQT flight and hotel package compared to booking separately. In fact, you could save hundreds of dollars by bundling with Expedia. And it's easy to manage everything in one convenient place. Once you've selected your ideal accommodations and flights, you can add extras such as tours, activities and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Macdonald-Cartier Intl. Airport (YOW) to Thunder Bay Intl. Airport (YQT)?
Typically, you can reschedule or cancel your YOW to YQT flight. However, additional fees may apply, especially if you booked more than 24 hours ago. Double-check your itinerary for the airline's guidelines and fees on flight changes, or if you need further information, go to our Customer Service portal.

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*Available to One Key members.