Air Canada has today announced a range of product improvements to elevate the guest experience across airport lounges, onboard dining, and inflight entertainment and connectivity, along with enriched Premium offerings.
On Thursday (October 27, 2022), Air Canada announced the launch of a comprehensive range of product improvements to elevate the guest experience across airport lounges, onboard and more. From November, customers will experience new and restored services in Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and in Premium cabins onboard, along with a new Economy Class dining service, plus new Bistro options in North America. Additionally, in a first for a Canadian Airline, the carrier will offer complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi for guests traveling in Premium Rouge. In 2023, Air Canada will also increase their inflight entertainment (IFE) content by 25 percent, while introducing Live TV, Bluetooth connectivity and other new features.
In Thursday’s announcement, Air Canada’s SVP – Products, Marketing and eCommerce, Mark Nasr, said,
“Air Canada is committed to elevating the customer experience and offering the kind of world-class services Canadians can be proud of from their flag carrier. Accordingly, we are investing in all aspects of the journey to make travel even better for customers, including in our Economy and Premium cabins. Today's announcements go beyond emerging from the pandemic; we’re proud to introduce many new services and options not available today in Canada.
“Among the improvements customers will see starting in November are new dining services in International Economy Class featuring the addition of regional appetizers and an entree created by acclaimed Montreal Chef Jérôme Ferrer on flights departing Canada and fresh Air Canada Bistro options on North American flights. Premium cabin customers will also find new amenities, such as Acqua di Parma amenity kits and complimentary Wi-Fi in Premium Rouge. What's more, we'll begin introducing additional in-flight entertainment content, including Live TV, so customers can watch sports events or stay on top of the news while in the air.”
As part of the carrier’s comprehensive product improvements, Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge will offer the fastest inflight internet in Canada and inflight Wi-Fi across the entire fleet of 39 Air Canada Rouge aircraft, across all Air Canada widebody aircraft, and on nearly 90 percent of the carrier’s mainline fleet. The remaining mainline single-aisle aircraft will be upgraded in 2023. From November 1st, 2022, customers flying in Premium Rouge will enjoy complimentary high-speed onboard Wi-Fi, a first for a Canadian airline. As previously mentioned, starting in 2023 Air Canada will increase their IFE content selection by 25 percent.
Starting November 1st, Air Canada will also elevate their International Economy Class dining experience. All international flights on departure from Canada will feature a hot entrée created by Chef Jérôme Ferrer, a member of Air Canada’s culinary panel, along with an additional appetizer reflecting destination cuisine, followed by a dessert. Customers traveling on North American and sun destination flights will also enjoy a refreshed Air Canada Bistro menu from November 1st. The expanded menu includes a brioche bagel smoked salmon sandwich, vegan options such as Farro salad or spiced chickpea wrap, Good to Go Blondies and Nomz energy bites, in addition to favorites like Montreal smoke meat sandwiches and Air Canada’s popular fruit & cheese board.
Air Canada’s premium cabin services, both pre-departure and inflight, will also be fully restored from November 1st, including the offer to hang coats and jackets, pre-departure beverages on international flights, and hot towels prior to meals.
Later in November, Air Canada will also introduce new amenity kits for premium cabin guests, all designed to significantly reduce single-use plastics, including the elimination of plastic wrap. Air Canada Signature Class guests on all international flights will be presented with amenity kits designed in partnership with Acqua di Parma, featuring stylish bags containing luxury skincare products, along with an eye mask, socks, dental products and earplugs. International Premium Economy and North America Signature Class guests on overnight flights will also enjoy a reusable amenity tote containing an eye mask, socks and dental products.
Maple Leaf Lounges in North America also now feature an elevated food and beverage experience, including an expansion of varietal wine selections to six, plus a bubbly and rose, seasonally. Air Canada proudly celebrates Canadian wines, with the current rotation in select lounges featuring Charles Baker Riesling, Malivoire Farmstead Gamay, Lake Breeze Pinot Gris, Narrative Red, and L’Orpailleur. Air Canada has also resumed full buffet service at all hub airports, featuring an increased range of salads, and new international dishes such as stir-fry and curries. Montreal Maple Leaf Lounges also feature local classics such as Montreal Fairmont Bagels, Montreal’s famous smoked meat sandwiches, and of course, poutine. Additionally, new priority access lanes have been added at select Maple Leaf Lounges to offer priority entry to Super Elite and Business Class guests.
The Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson now offers Ontario craft beers, ciders and wines and hot appetizers such as empanadas, arancini and sliders, complementing the existing range of grab-and-go artisanal sandwiches, salads, fresh juices and specialty coffees. The Air Canada Café is located in Toronto Pearson’s domestic terminal and is available to eligible customers.
Finally, starting in November, the carrier will introduce Air Canada Chauffeur Service at Vancouver International Airport for eligible connecting International Air Canada Signature Class customers arriving from within Canada. Arriving VIPs will be met by a Concierge before being escorted to the tarmac where a chauffeured hybrid or full-electric Porsche will whisk them to the distinctive Air Canada Signature Suite. The Chauffeur Service is also available for Air Canada Signature Class guests connection through Toronto Pearson.
Source: Air Canada