Air Canada and Bell will offer free messaging for all Aeroplan members worldwide on wi-fi equipped aircraft across Air Canada’s fleet from May 15.
The partnership also covers Aeroplan members on flights with Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express, plus customers of strategic partner airline loyalty schemes – United MileagePlus, Lufthansa Group Miles & More and Emirates Skywards – when their account numbers are associated with an Air Canada booking.
Passengers will be able to send and receive text-based messages using popular messaging apps, including Apple’s iMessage, Meta’s WhatsApp and Messenger, Rakuten’s Viber, and Messages by Google.
Additionally, with complimentary mobile SIM cards on select inbound international flights, newcomers and visitors to Canada can stay connected after they arrive in their destination.
Longer term, the partnership will enable additional areas of collaboration, including the development and offering of Aeroplan promotional rewards.
Building upon Air Canada’s inflight entertainment product, the partnership is also set to see the expansion of Live TV services on flights to the U.S. later this summer.
“This multi-faceted partnership with Bell will allow Air Canada customers to keep in touch with friends, family, or colleagues wherever they travel,” said Mark Nasr, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Digital, and President of Aeroplan at Air Canada.
“What’s more, we’re elated that Bell will be joining as the latest Aeroplan partner, creating another way for members to travel more, and travel better.”
Aeroplan offers the ability to earn or redeem points on over 45 airlines serving around 1,400 destinations across the globe.
