- Fast, free Wi-Fi sponsored by Bell coming to North America and Sun flights beginning in
May 2025, with long-haul
international routes to follow in 2026
- Fleet-wide connectivity upgrades are at an advanced stage,
with installations expected to be completed next year
- Plans to include flights to and from Billy Bishop Toronto
City Airport, the first time Wi-Fi will be made available on a Q400
aircraft
- Aeroplan Members will benefit from free gate-to-gate access
of reliable, streaming-quality Wi-Fi
MONTREAL, Dec. 12,
2024 /CNW/ - Air Canada announced today it plans to
roll out fast, free streaming-quality Wi-Fi, sponsored by Bell.
Beginning in May 2025, this
complimentary service will be available to Aeroplan Members on
Wi-Fi equipped aircraft for flights within North American and Sun
markets. The airline also plans to expand free Wi-Fi service to
long-haul international routes in 2026.
"Reliable access to streaming-quality Wi-Fi is becoming
essential for both business and leisure travellers. That's why
we're upgrading our fleet with the latest technologies," said
Mark Nasr, Executive Vice President,
Marketing and Digital at Air Canada, and President of Aeroplan.
"We're excited to offer fast, free Wi-Fi to all Aeroplan Members,
with a customer-focused rollout plan that includes installation of
service on the Air Canada Express Q400s, including those that fly
from Toronto's Billy Bishop
Airport. Although other Canadian airlines have announced free
Wi-Fi services, not all have accelerated installation across their
fleets or committed to offering the service comprehensively. Air
Canada plans to offer fast, free
Wi-Fi across its entire fleet and will begin rolling out this
service in early Spring. What's more, over 85% of aircraft
will be connected from day one, with the remaining installations
being a priority throughout 2025."
Fast, free Wi-Fi will be available on Air Canada, Air Canada
Rouge and most Air Canada Express aircraft. This initiative builds
on the existing free Wi-Fi texting service sponsored by Bell,
available since May 2023 for Aeroplan
Members. Air Canada offers its
customers a best-in-class product including new and improved
amenities such as chef-inspired menus, complimentary premium
snacks, beer and wine, hours of complimentary inflight
entertainment and Live TV on IFE-equipped aircraft, and an
industry-leading mobile app that features real-time baggage
tracking, digital identification and more.
Customers who aren't already an Aeroplan Member can sign up free
of charge at aircanada.com/aeroplan. Customer without an Aeroplan
membership will be able to purchase Wi-Fi for their flight at a
reduced flat fee.
"This next chapter in our partnership with Air Canada reflects
our purpose to advance how Canadians connect with each other and
the world," said Blaik Kirby, Group
President, Consumer and Small Business at Bell. "We are
transforming the in-flight experience for Aeroplan Members,
enabling them to be productive, stream entertainment and stay
connected throughout their journey."
Industry-first: expanding fast, free Wi-Fi to Toronto Billy
Bishop
Customers travelling on select regional routes on Wi-Fi equipped
aircraft throughout Canada,
including between Toronto Billy Bishop Airport and Montreal or Ottawa, will be able to stay productive,
stream live TV, and enjoy seamless connectivity on their personal
device throughout their flight. Plans to complete certification and
installation of Wi-Fi connectivity on Q400 aircraft is targeted to
begin in 2025 with planned completion of a first phase by
year-end. This is set to be the first fast, free Wi-Fi
offering on Q400 aircraft.
Since May 2023, Bell has sponsored
in-flight Wi-Fi services, providing Aeroplan Members with free
in-flight texting, available on more than 90 per cent of Air Canada
mainline, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express aircraft.
About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada's largest airline, the country's flag
carrier and a founding member of Star
Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation
network. Air Canada provides
scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in
Canada, the United States and Internationally on six
continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air
Canada's Aeroplan program is
Canada's premier travel loyalty
program, where members can earn or redeem points on the world's
largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an
extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners.
Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers more travel choices than
any other Canadian tour operator to hundreds of destinations
worldwide, with a wide selection of hotels, flights, cruises, day
tours, and car rentals. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo,
provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of
destinations across six continents using Air Canada's passenger and
freighter aircraft. Air Canada's climate ambition includes a
long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by
2050. For additional information, please see Air Canada's TCFD disclosure. Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX
in Canada and the OTCQX in the
US.
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