Air Canada Introduces Soft Product Improvements Inflight
As part of its ‘More to Travel’ products and services improvement initiative, Air Canada is bringing in a few new features to its inflight experience, including an expanded in-flight food and beverage menu, more family-friendly options in the in-flight entertainment library, and enhancements to the Air Canada App.
A healthy taste of Canada comes in the form of Earth’s Own oat milk, a Canadian non-dairy milk alternative, and something more bracing with Blue Moon Belgian White (brewed at the Molson Brewery in Montreal). From over the border in the USA come Hop Valley IPA craft beer, as well as Vizzy Strawberry Orange Mimosa Hard Seltzer. And from further afield, Air Canada is bringing in rosé wine from Provence, France, and popular Aperol spritz cocktails in Signature Class on international flights.
The meals have a more international flavour in economy and premium economy class on select flights, such as the introduction of Indian butter chicken (a mild, creamy curry) with rice pilaf and cauliflower peas masala, among other new menu options.
Family fun with Mattel IFE content
Last month, Skytrax named Air Canada the ‘Most Family Friendly Airline’ for 2023. The carrier is now the only Canadian airline to offer kids’ in-flight entertainment from Mattell, through an extensive partnership. The deal comes as the world has Barbie mania, as the new movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. The suite of Mattell shows and movies adds dozens of hours of additional kids’ content to Air Canada’s IFE catalogue, with more new content partners coming soon.
“Air Canada is proud to be the only Canadian airline offering exclusive Mattel favourites like Hot Wheels in the City, Thomas and Friends: Learning with Thomas, as well as episodes of Barbie’s vlog – which comes hot on the heels of the most anticipated movie release of the summer,” said John Moody, managing director of product design at Air Canada. “At the height of family vacation season, parents and kids can enjoy their flight with an unparalleled range of inflight entertainment options including some of the most popular and well-loved kids’ shows.”
Air Canada App upgrades
The latest upgrades to the Air Canada App, available for free through the Apple App Store or Google Play, allow for quick and easy access to important travel information throughout the journey, including mobile boarding passes; passport details of Aeroplan members being linked to their profile, streamlining international check-in; easier airport navigation with integrated maps of key Air Canada and Star Alliance airports; and adding the option for Air Canada Signature Class and Premium Economy customers to pre-order in-flight meals on select international flights departing Canada.
“Our customers want information and digital tools that meet their real-time needs when navigating busy airports. Our focus is on delivering contextual travel information directly to our customers’ devices via our award-winning Air Canada App, with even more improvements to come,” said Derek Whitworth, managing director, customer digital technology at Air Canada.
More treats for 2023
These upgrades add to a few other enhancements the airline has been introducing since spring, including a partnership with Bell, announced in May, which launched with free on-board wi-fi texting for Aeroplan members.
The airline also recently added three new premium airport lounges, bringing Air Canada’s network of lounges to 29 worldwide. This includes a new Maple Leaf Lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), the new Aspire | Air Canada Café at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) in Toronto’s downtown terminal, and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) Terminal A (co-located within the new United Club).