Flying to Florida from Plattsburgh or Burlington: a family guide (2026)
Short answer
Plattsburgh (about 100 km from Montreal) and Burlington (about 150 km) offer low-cost nonstop flights to Florida on Allegiant and Breeze. For a family, the savings can be real, but only if you count everything: booking fees, bags, seats, parking, driving and the exchange rate. And when you enter the US by road, you don't get an automatic I-94: for a stay of 30 days or more, you have to deal with it.
Leave without forgetting anything: the 2026 checklist (65+ items) and its Excel calculator for OHIP, RAMQ and IRS days. See the checklist ($9)
Which nonstop flights to Florida?
| Airport | Airline | Florida destinations | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plattsburgh (PBG), New York | Allegiant | Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Orlando-Sanford (SFB), Tampa/St. Pete (PIE), Punta Gorda/Fort Myers (PGD) | About 3 h to 3 h 20 in the air; a few flights a week depending on the season |
| Burlington (BTV), Vermont | Breeze | Orlando (MCO), Tampa (TPA), Fort Myers (RSW); Vero Beach (VRB) via Baltimore, same plane | Vero Beach: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays since October 4, 2026 |
Schedules change from season to season: Frontier, for example, had no Burlington–Tampa flights for winter 2026-2027 as of October 7. Always check the airline's website.
From Quebec City, add about 250 km of driving: the advantage shrinks a lot.
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The real cost for a family of 4
"From" fares (often US$56 to $87 one way on Allegiant) include almost nothing. Fill in this table for your dates:
| Item | Plattsburgh (Allegiant) | Montreal-Trudeau |
|---|---|---|
| Fares (4 people, round trip) | In US$ | In C$ |
| Online booking fee | US$22 per passenger, per segment: US$176 round trip | Usually included |
| Carry-on bag | US$10 to $75 each, per segment (personal item free) | Depends on the fare |
| Checked bags | Depends on the route and when you buy | $45 per bag, each way, on Air Canada (Basic and Standard), or free with an Aeroplan card |
| Seats together | US$0 to $80 per seat | Depends on the fare |
| Parking, 2 weeks | US$140 ($10 a day); Burlington: US$168 ($12 a day) | Check for your dates |
| Driving and border | 2 to 4 extra hours round trip, gas | — |
| Exchange rate | Everything in US$ (US$1 ≈ C$1.42) | In C$ |
Tip: add bags and seats when you book; they often cost more later, and even more at the airport. Pay with a no-FX-fee card (see the credit card strategy).
The border: the I-94 trap
- By road, no automatic I-94. If you stay in the US 30 days or more, you need a NEXUS card, an I-94 (US$30, online up to 7 days ahead) or the free G-325R form. Details: I-94 for Canadians and the 30-day registration.
- ID: for the domestic flight, US airport security (TSA) accepts a Canadian passport, a NEXUS card or a provincial driver's licence. The simplest: a passport for every family member.
- One parent travelling with the children? Bring a consent letter signed by the other parent.
- Allow extra time for the border wait (Lacolle–Champlain to Plattsburgh, Saint-Armand–Highgate Springs to Burlington): CBP publishes wait times.
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The risks to know
- Few flights: if your flight is cancelled, the next one may be days away.
- No Canadian protection: Canada's delay rules don't apply to a US airline's flight leaving the US. US rules give a cash refund if the flight is cancelled or changed by more than 3 hours and you decline the alternative, but no compensation for a delay.
- Long-term parking: in Plattsburgh, beyond 60 days, call Republic Parking before you leave, or the car may be towed.
- Your car parked in the US: confirm with your insurer that it's covered while you're away.
- Winter driving: coming home at night in snow, allow time.
Who does it make sense for?
| Makes sense | Less so |
|---|---|
| Families who travel light and are flexible on dates | Lots of luggage |
| Heading near Sanford, St. Pete, Punta Gorda, Fort Myers or Fort Lauderdale | Need a daily flight or specific times |
| Short stay (parking stays low) | Long stay: parking adds up |
| Leaving from Montreal or the South Shore | Leaving from Quebec City or farther east |
Key takeaways
- Plattsburgh: Allegiant to 4 Florida airports. Burlington: Breeze to Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers and Vero Beach.
- Compare the family's total price, in C$, with booking fees, bags, seats and parking.
- Entering by road = no automatic I-94. 30 days or more: NEXUS, I-94 or registration.
- Few flights: a cancellation can cost you days.
Leave without forgetting anything
The complete checklist: more than 65 items to tick off, from 2 months before you leave until you're back. 8-page PDF, 2026 rules.
See the checklist ($9)Sources
- Allegiant — Flights from Plattsburgh (October 2026)
- Allegiant — Optional fees (bags, seats, booking)
- Plattsburgh airport — Parking
- Vermont Business Magazine — Breeze in Burlington (January 2026)
- WCAX — Burlington–Baltimore–Vero Beach (June 2026)
- Burlington airport — Parking
- TSA — Acceptable ID
- US Department of Transportation — Automatic refunds
- CBP — Border wait times
- Milesopedia — Air Canada bag fees
General information current as of October 2026. Schedules, fares and fees change often: check with the airline and the airport before you book. Escale Floride receives no commission.