Corporate Profile

Air Canada introduces live TV and partners with Bell for messaging while in-flight as it continues to enhance the customer experience

Air Canada has been an innovator throughout its 85-year history and in 2023 continues to enhance the customer experience through the use of technology. It has partnered with Bell to offer free messaging for all Aeroplan members worldwide on all Wi-Fi equipped aircraft across Air Canada’s fleet.

It has also recently launched Live TV on select aircraft and domestic routes, the only Canadian carrier to offer customers the ability to cheer on their favourite sports teams by watching global sporting events in real time or watch live national news onboard a flight.

Air Canada introduced digital identification in early 2023, becoming the first airline in Canada with approval to offer customers the safety and convenience of a new option using facial recognition technology to confirm identification when boarding the aircraft.

Air Canada’s Fleet to Include Fuel-Efficient Airbus A321 XLR aircraft and Electric Aircraft

In September 2022, Air Canada announced plans to Acquire 30 ES-30 Electric Regional Aircraft from Heart Aerospace. The revolutionary regional aircraft, expected to enter service in 2028, will be flying on battery power and yield significant operational savings and benefits.

This builds on the order of 30 Airbus A321 extra-long range aircraft and the remaining deliveries of 27 Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The A321XLR is projected to yield up to 17 per cent lower fuel burn per seat than the previous generation narrow-body on a typical transcontinental flight and up to 23 per cent versus previous generation wide-body aircraft on a transatlantic flight.

Fleet renewal
Air Canada’s ongoing fleet modernisation program began in 2007 and the airline has been adding next-generation, fuel efficient aircraft with industry leading customer amenities. Its long-range workhorse is the ultra-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which now comprise nearly 50 per cent of the wide body fleet and deliver an approximate 20 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency over the aircraft they replaced. The Airbus A220-300 (formerly known as the Bombardier C Series) and 737 MAX 8 aircraft feature product specifications and in-flight entertainment similar to the 787 Dreamliner. They also average approximately 20 per cent less fuel consumption per seat and emit 20 per cent less CO2 and 50 per cent less nitrogen oxides than the aircraft they replace.

Air Canada and United Airlines Further Expand Relationship to Make Transborder Travel Easier, With More Choice

Air Canada and United Airlines announced a further strengthening of their joint business agreement for the Canada-U.S. transborder market, building on their long-standing alliance. The airlines will operate more than 260 daily transborder departures in summer 2023, about a 20 percent increase in schedule capacity compared to summer 2022, This will give more flight options and better flight schedules to customers traveling between the two countries. Customers will be able to connect to 66 codeshare destinations in the U.S. and 20 cities in Canada — all while enjoying the benefits of the carriers' MileagePlus® and Aeroplan loyalty programs.

Air Canada’s global network  

Air Canada offers the most seats and frequencies of any Canadian carrier. Air Canada continues to expand its network with the announcement of new destinations launching in 2023:

• Toronto to Brussels, Yellowknife, New York JFK, Sacramento, Martinique and Monterrey, Mexico
• Montreal to, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Toulouse, New York JFK, New Orleans, Los Cabos, La Romana and Fort McMurray
• Vancouver to Dubai and Washington Dulles

Air Canada has also restarted routes such as:

• Toronto to Tokyo-Haneda and Port of Spain
• Montreal to Puerto Plata
• Vancouver to Osaka

In 2023 Air Canada intends to increase its operated capacity by about 23% from 2022, representing about 90% of 2019 levels.

Domestic network
As the country's flag carrier for over 85 years, Air Canada connects the nation with domestic service to 51 Canadian airports and an average of over 500 daily frequencies.

U.S. transborder network
Air Canada’s proud tradition of being the largest foreign carrier in the U.S. is reflected in its transborder schedule to 51 U.S. airports and up to 400 daily flights between the two countries.

International network
The airline’s international network extends to six continents with service to over 80 airports from its Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver hubs, as well as from Calgary and Halifax, and an average of more than 150 daily frequencies. 

Air Canada elevates airport lounges, onboard dining and entertainment customer experience

Air Canada is making an improved customer experience central to its recovery strategy and a means to strengthen our position as a leading global carrier. It is investing in all aspects of the customer journey, whether people are flying in Air Canada's Premium or Economy cabins, or in Premium Rouge.

On-board safety video

Ode to Canada is Air Canada’s on-board pre-flight safety video that takes customers on a stunning journey across Canada from coast-to-coast-to-coast to each province and territory through all four seasons while presenting aircraft safety instructions in a compelling way.

Commits to Net Zero Emissions by 2050

Air Canada has committed to an ambitious goal of net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050, demonstrating its long-term commitment to advancing climate change sustainability throughout its business. To reach this, Air Canada has set absolute midterm GHG net reduction targets by 2030 in its air and ground operations compared to its 2019 baseline. For more information, visit aircanada.com/leaveless.

Purchase Carbon Offsets Easily through Air Canada CHOOOSE

The option to purchase verified carbon offsets is now seamlessly integrated into the airline's Canadian and US booking websites. Customers who are interested in learning more about CO2 emissions and compensating the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with their flights can now do so directly when booking through aircanada.com.

Air Canada Cargo

Air Canada Cargo, the freight division of Air Canada, is Canada's largest air cargo provider as measured by cargo capacity, with a presence in over 50 countries and self-handled hubs in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Chicago, London, and Frankfurt. Air Canada Cargo offers reliable air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s domestic and international passenger flights, freighter flights , and trucking services.

The freighter fleet now consists of six Boeing 767s in service, including four converted aircraft and two factory-built 767Fs that entered service in May 2023.

Aeroplan

Air Canada’s Aeroplan is Canada’s leading travel loyalty program, chosen by millions of travelers worldwide. Aeroplan helps members travel more and offers the ability to earn or redeem points on all Air Canada fights as well as the world's largest airline partner network, encompassing over 45 airlines serving hundreds of destinations across the globe. 

Members earn points with Aeroplan’s 150+ financial, retail, and travel partners, including online shopping via the Aeroplan eStore.  In addition to flights, members also have access to an extensive range of merchandise, hotel, including preferential rates through HotelSavers at a broad range of acclaimed hotels worldwide, and car rental rewards. 

Aeroplan offers members exceptional benefits including obtaining flight rewards more quickly by combining points with Aeroplan Family Sharing, and saving on redemptions with no additional cash surcharges on Air Canada flights. Aeroplan’s unique everyday partnerships with Uber Canada, Starbucks, and LCBO enable members to earn points directly when making a purchase. Plus, Aeroplan EliteTM Status Members and eligible Aeroplan credit cardholders have access to additional benefits, such as preferred pricing on flight rewards, lounge access, and more. (aircanada.com/aeroplan)

Principal Hubs

Air Canada’s three hubs, Toronto (YYZ), the primary global hub, Montreal (YUL), a principal gateway to French and other international markets, and Vancouver (YVR), the airline’s premier gateway to the Asia-Pacific, offer Air Canada customers convenient connections under one roof.

Premium Offerings

Air Canada Signature Service is an end-to-end premium service with lie-flat seats, access to airport concierge services at many airports, expedited check-in and security clearance (where available), lounge access, priority baggage handling and preferential boarding.

The Air Canada Signature Suite has raised the bar with its five-star dining experience, setting a new standard for premium travel in North America. It is located in Terminal 1 at Toronto Pearson and at Vancouver International Airport for select Signature Service customers travelling to international destinations.

Maple Leaf Lounges are a comfortable way to relax or catch up on work before take-off with services and amenities to make the pre-flight experience more pleasurable and productive. Lounge services also offer several touchless features, including presentation of all reading materials in digital format through PressReader.

Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson offers a selection of Canadian craft beers, wine and hot snacks, in addition to the current range of grab-and-go artisanal sandwiches, salads, cold snacks, beverages and specialty coffees to be enjoyed with complimentary Wi-Fi in a relaxed, bistro-type setting.  

Aspire | Air Canada Café at Toronto Billy Bishop Airport is a 133-seat modern respite in the domestic departures terminal. Quiet workspaces, a private meeting room and premium food and drinks to stay or go are among the complimentary amenities in the 4,200+-square-foot café-style executive lounge.

Air Canada Concierge services at 50 airports worldwide are available to Aeroplan Super Elite Members and, on day of travel at the airport, to Signature Service customers. Concierges are an immediate resource in-person at select airports and by phone 24/7 for all travel and airport-related matters, personalized services and priority.

Premium Economy cabin features enhanced comfort and amenities and is offered on all wide-body aircraft: 787 Dreamliners, Boeing 777-300ERs and -200LRs, and Airbus A330-300s.

Preferred Seats are offered in the Economy cabin for those who would like extra space between seats (up to 10 cm more) and convenience to board earlier and exit sooner on arrival.

Culinary and Wine Talent

Air Canada's panel of celebrated Canadian culinary and wine talent has designed award-winning food and wine options that guide the airline’s caterers.

Chef David Hawksworth creates signature dishes with Canadian flair that are exclusively featured on all Air Canada Signature Class flights (except India) flights and the Air Canada Signature Suite.

Chef Jérôme Ferrer designs meals for the airline's Premium Economy and Economy Class customers on all flights departing Canada for Europe and Asia, as well as Australia and South America.

Chef Vikram Vij creates modern Indian dishes for all cabins of service on Air Canada's Canada-India flights.

Sommelier Véronique Rivest is Air Canada’s sommelier. Her carefully hand-picked wines pair with food at 30,000 feet.

Wi-Fi

Air Canada offers Wi-Fi access on select North American, Caribbean and international flights. Customers can save by purchasing access before their flight or buy on board. With a Wi-Fi purchase, customers also receive complimentary access to 7,000+ magazines and newspapers through the PressReader app. Find out if Wi-Fi is available on your next flight: (aircanada.com/wifi)