Air Canada has unveiled product experience improvements to improve passenger experience at every touchpoint. The airline has also unveiled new Amenity kits for premium-cabin passengers.
Expanded in-flight entertainment and connectivity
Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge are claiming that they currently offer the fastest inflight internet in Canada, with inflight Wi-Fi available across the entire Air Canada Rouge fleet of 39 aircraft, across all Air Canada wide-body aircraft and on nearly 90% of the overall Air Canada mainline fleet. Wi-Fi installation will be complete across the remainder of narrow-body aircraft in 2023.
Air Canada, on 1st November 2022, will become the first Canadian airline to begin offering complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi onboard. Customers flying in Premium Rouge will enjoy this benefit, giving them the ability to stream their own entertainment, TV shows and movies, listen to their own music or simply remain connected, replacing the previous tablets offered with pre-loaded in-flight entertainment choices. All Rouge customers can continue to access a large selection of complimentary movies and TV shows through the ‘Entertainment on Demand’ section of the onboard portal.
In 2023, the Toronto-based airline will expand its onboard entertainment content by more than 25%, and the airline will introduce new options including Live TV to enable passengers to watch sports events and news live. Air Canada states that additional details for Live TV, as well as additional new features such as Bluetooth audio connectivity and an outside camera feature, will be unveiled soon.
International Economy Class dining
Starting 1st November 2022, Air Canada will be elevating its International Economy Class dining experience to reflect Canada’s culinary talent and tastes from its global network of destinations.
Economy Class dining on all international flights departing Canada is being revamped to feature a hot entree created for Air Canada by renowned Montreal Chef Jérôme Ferrer, a member of Air Canada’s culinary panel. An additional appetizer reflecting destination cuisine is also being presented with all meals, and a separate dessert service will follow.
North America Economy Class dining
To offer a broader range of fresh and healthy dining choices for Economy Class on North America and Sun destination flights, starting 1st November 2022, the Air Canada Bistro menu will be refreshed and expanded to include a brioche bagel smoked salmon sandwich, vegan options such as Farro Salad or Spiced chickpea wrap, Canadian snacks such as Good To Go Blondies and Nomz energy bites, in addition to all-time favourite choices such as Montreal smoke meat sandwiches and Air Canada’s popular Fruit & Cheese board.
Premium cabin services
Beginning 1st November 2022, Air Canada will fully restore its premium cabin services both pre-departure and in-flight, with the return of offers to hang coats and jackets, presentation of pre-departure beverages on international flights and hot towels prior to meal services.
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Premium cabin amenities
Air Canada has unveiled new Amenity kits for premium-cabin passengers which will be introduced in late-November 2022. The new line of amenity kits and totes have been purposefully designed to significantly minimize single-use plastics including the elimination of plastic wrap.
Air Canada Signature Class passengers on all international flights will be presented with amenity kits in partnership with Acqua di Parma featuring stylish amenity bags containing Acqua di Parma luxury skincare products plus an oversized eye mask, socks, dental products and 3M earplugs for additional comfort and personal care.
Customers in International Premium Economy and North America Signature Class overnight flights will enjoy reusable amenity totes containing an eye mask, socks and dental products.
Airport lounges
Air Canada states that many Maple Leaf lounges in North America now feature elevated food and beverage offerings. Air Canada works with local wine producers and importers to offer a selection that appeals to a wide, global audience, and varietal selections in each Lounge will be expanded to six wines plus a bubbly and rose (seasonally).
The airline’s current selection of wines in select lounges includes Charles Baker Riesling and Malivoire Farmstead Gamay from the Niagara Region, Ontario, Lake Breeze Pinot Gris and Narrative Red from the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, and L’Orpailleur from the Eastern Townships, Quebec.
At all hub airports, Air Canada has resumed its full buffet service, with an increased range of salads and the addition of international delectable dishes such as stir-fry and curries in a contemporary presentation. Montreal Maple Leaf Lounges also feature local legendary classics, including Montreal Fairmount Bagels, Montreal’s famous smoked meat sandwiches, and poutine.
The airline has added new priority access lanes to select Maple Leaf Lounges during peak times to offer Super Elite and Business Class passengers priority entry.
The Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson now offers a selection of Ontario craft beers, ciders, wine and hot appetizers such as empanadas, arancini and sliders, in addition to the current range of grab-and-go artisanal sandwiches, salads, cold-pressed fresh juices and specialty coffees. The Air Canada Café is located in the domestic terminal at Toronto Pearson and is available to eligible passengers.
Starting next month, Air Canada Chauffeur Service will be introduced at Vancouver International Airport. Eligible connecting International Air Canada Signature Class passengers arriving from within Canada will be met by a Concierge before being whisked away on the tarmac in a plug-in hybrid or fully electric Porsche vehicle to the distinctive Air Canada Signature Suite. Chauffeur Service is available for International Air Canada Signature Class passengers connecting through Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International Airports.
Finally
Airlines around the world had cut service due to various reasons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the traffic has returned in almost all parts of the world, some airlines still use the pandemic as an excuse for the cutback in services. The re-introduction of some services along with the introduction of new ones at Air Canada is great from a passenger point-of-view as they are getting their value for money.
While Air Canada does compete with the Big Three U.S. airlines (United, Delta and American), the competition in Canada is minimal. While this is the case, it’s great to see that the airline is continuously trying to improve the passenger experience in some way or the other.
Featured image by Air Canada
Both the other images by Air Canada
What do you think of Air Canada’s product experience improvements? Let me know in the comments section below.
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