Air Canada has announced a range of enhancements to passenger experiences across all classes of cabins. The changes are being rolled out from the beginning of November.
It becomes the first Canadian airline to offer complimentary, high-speed wifi. Air Canada’s Premium Rouge passengers can take advantage of the new offering to stream entertainment on personal electronic devices.
From the beginning of the month, cabin crew again began offering to hang the coats and jackets of passengers in Premium cabins – a welcome indicator that the COVID-19 pandemic is being consigned to history. Additionally, pre-departure drinks are being served on international flights and hot towels are offered prior to meals.
Later in November, Acqua di Parma amenity kits featuring skincare products will be available to Premium passengers. The kits will have earplugs and dental products plus socks and an eye mask. As part of measures to improve sustainability, plastic wrapping has been eliminated.
Meanwhile, Economy dining is being upgraded. Passengers travelling internationally have the option of main courses created by celebrity chefs. Jérôme Ferrer, who operates the Europea restaurant in Montreal and is a member of Air Canada’s culinary panel, counts among the chefs designing dishes. An additional appetiser will be served with all meals, reflecting destination cuisine.
New Air Canada Bistro choices have been added for passengers travelling on North American routes. Canadian snacks including Keto-certified Good To Go Blondies and Nomz energy bites are available. An expanded range of vegan choices, including farro salad and a spiced chickpea wrap now features on the buy-on-board menu. A brioche bagel smoked salmon sandwich has also been added.
International Premium Economy passengers and travellers on overnight North American flights in Signature Class, Air Canada’s rebranded Business offering, will be given reusable amenity totes. The bags will contain dental products, an eye mask and socks.
“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,” commented Mark Nasr, the airline’s Senior Vice President, Products, Marketing and eCommerce.
The airline also announced that in 2023 the breadth of in-flight entertainment content will be increased by more than 25 per cent. Live television, Bluetooth audio connectivity and other new features will also be available to passengers.
Plans exist to complete the installation of wifi across the airline’s entire fleet in 2023. It is currently available on approximately 90 per cent of Air Canada’s aircraft. All 39 of the Air Canada Rouge aircraft already offer inflight wifi.
Coinciding with the introduction of the enhancements, buffet services are being reintroduced in Air Canada’s Maple Leaf lounges at hub airports. Additionally, a chauffeur service for Signature Class passengers in hybrid and electric Porsche cars is being introduced at Vancouver International Airport.
