Air Canada

Air Canada is the biggest airline in Canada and carries the most passengers. It started in 1937 and is based in Montreal, specifically in the area called Saint-Laurent. The airline flies to 222 places around the world and has major airports in Montréal–Trudeau, Toronto–Pearson, and Vancouver.

Originally, it was called Trans-Canada Air Lines, created by the Canadian federal government in 1936. It changed its name to Air Canada in 1965. After Canada allowed more private airlines in the 1980s, Air Canada became a private company in 1988. It later took over its biggest competitor, Canadian Airlines, in the year 2000.

Air Canada is part of a group called the Star Alliance, which connects many airlines around the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada helped the airline and got a small share of the company. In 2019, Air Canada carried over 51 million passengers.

The airline uses different kinds of airplanes for its trips. For long distances, it uses Airbus A330, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes. For shorter trips, it uses Airbus A320 family planes, Boeing 737 MAX 8, and Airbus A220-300 planes. Air Canada also has special services like Air Canada Cargo, Air Canada Express, and vacation trips through Air Canada Vacations. Every day, the airline and its partners fly more than 1,613 planes.

History

Trans-Canada Air Lines (1937–1965)

Air Canada's beginning started with an airline called Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA). It was created by the Canadian government in 1937 to connect cities from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast. The government bought two airplanes and hired experienced pilots to start the service.

Passenger flights began in September 1937, with the first flight carrying just two passengers and mail. By 1939, TCA started flights between Montreal and Vancouver, using more airplanes for the route. The airline grew quickly and had about 579 employees by early 1940.

Renamed Air Canada and early years (1965–1990)

In 1964, the airline was renamed from Trans-Canada Airlines to Air Canada. This change took effect on January 1, 1965. The Queen of Canada flew on the first plane with the new Air Canada name.

During the 1970s, government rules helped Air Canada stay strong compared to other smaller airlines. In 1976, Air Canada became its own company, no longer part of the Canadian National Railway. By 1978, new rules allowed Air Canada to compete more fairly with other airlines.

Strategic changes (1990s)

In the early 1990s, Air Canada faced money problems after a big drop in travel because of the Persian Gulf War. The airline made changes to save money and returned to making profits by 1994. In 1995, Air Canada added new routes between the United States and Canada. In 1997, Air Canada joined a group of airlines called the Star Alliance, which helped it offer more flights around the world.

Merger and reorganization (2000s)

In 2000, Air Canada merged with Canada’s second-largest airline, Canadian Airlines International. This made Air Canada much bigger. However, the merger caused some problems with delays and lost luggage. Air Canada faced tough times and had to ask for special help from the government in 2003.

2010s

In February 2017, Air Canada introduced a new airplane design to celebrate its 80th birthday and Canada’s 150th birthday. In 2019, Air Canada tried to buy another airline called Transat A.T., but the deal was stopped by European authorities.

2020s

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many travel problems for Air Canada in 2020. The airline had to stop most flights and later faced big losses in money. In 2022, Canada ended some COVID-19 travel rules, and Air Canada started to recover.

In August 2025, Air Canada had a strike by its flight attendants, which caused many flight cancellations. A deal was made to end the strike, but most workers voted against the wage part of the agreement.

On March 30, 2026, Air Canada announced that its chief executive, Michael Rousseau, will retire by the end of September 2026. The company will start looking for a new leader.

Corporate affairs

Air Canada faced financial challenges for several years but was profitable until the COVID-19 pandemic caused losses in 2020. The airline’s main trends include its operations through Air Canada Express and Air Canada rouge.

Air Canada became fully private in 1989 and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Certain ownership rules ensure that Canadians control at least 75% of the airline. The company’s headquarters are in Montreal at the Air Canada Centre, located at Montréal–Trudeau International Airport.

The airline also has an Operations Centre in Brampton, Ontario. Air Canada manages a large pension plan with over $30 billion in assets, following environmental and social rules.

Air Canada has several subsidiaries:

• Air Canada Cargo: Handles freight, with terminals in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal.
• Air Canada Express: Regional flights operated by Jazz Aviation and PAL Airlines.
• Air Canada Jetz: A charter service for groups, using Airbus planes.
• Air Canada Rouge: Focuses on leisure travel to destinations in Europe, the Caribbean, and more, using Airbus aircraft.
• Air Canada Vacations: Offers tour packages with flights and hotels.
• Aeroplan: Air Canada’s loyalty program, operated by Groupe Aeroplan Inc.

Former subsidiaries

Air Canada Jazz

Formerly a regional carrier brand, it was spun off in 2006 and is now an independent company.

Air Canada Tango

A no-frills service launched in 2001, it was dissolved in 2004.

Zip

A discount airline started in 2002 to compete with WestJet, it was disbanded in 2004.

Destinations and hubs

Air Canada has three main airports where it operates many of its flights. These are:

• Toronto–Pearson: This is Air Canada's biggest airport and main hub.
• Montréal–Trudeau: This is an important airport for flights to the east and to France and other countries.
• Vancouver: This airport helps connect Air Canada to Asia and the Pacific.

Destinations

Main article: List of Air Canada destinations

As of January 2024, Air Canada flies to 64 places in Canada and 158 places around the world. These include destinations in Asia, Africa, North and South America, Europe, and Oceania. Together with its partners, Air Canada reaches over 222 places in 47 countries on six continents.

Air Canada also has special flights called "fifth freedom" flights between two places that are not in Canada. Right now, it flies between São Paulo and Buenos Aires, and between London Heathrow and Delhi. In the past, it flew between many other cities too, but now it flies directly between places like Vancouver and Sydney, or Toronto and Munich.

Joint ventures

Air Canada have joint ventures with the following airlines:

• Lufthansa
• United Airlines

Codeshare agreements

Air Canada codeshares with many airlines around the world. Some of these include:

• Aegean Airlines
• Aer Lingus
• airBaltic
• Air China
• Air Dolomiti
• Air India
• Air New Zealand
• All Nippon Airways
• Asiana Airlines
• Austrian Airlines
• Avianca
• Azul Brazilian Airlines
• Brussels Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• Central Mountain Air
• Croatia Airlines
• Deutsche Bahn (railway)
• Discover Airlines
• Edelweiss Air
• Egyptair
• Emirates
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Etihad Airways
• Eurowings
• EVA Air
• Flydubai
• Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes
• KTX (railway)
• ITA Airways
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Middle East Airlines
• Renfe (railway)
• Scoot
• Singapore Airlines
• SriLankan Airlines
• Swiss International Air Lines
• TAP Air Portugal
• Thai Airways International
• Turkish Airlines
• United Airlines
• Virgin Australia

Interline agreements

Air Canada also works with many other airlines for connecting flights. Some of these include:

• Aer Lingus
• Aegean Airlines
• Aerolíneas Argentinas
• airBaltic
• Air Calédonie
• Air China
• Air Creebec
• Air Dolomiti
• Air India
• Air Mauritius
• Air New Zealand
• All Nippon Airways
• American Airlines
• Asiana Airlines
• Austrian Airlines
• Avianca
• Avianca Costa Rica
• Avianca Ecuador
• Avianca El Salvador
• Azul Brazilian Airlines
• Bamboo Airways
• Bearskin Airlines
• Biman Bangladesh Airlines
• British Airways
• Brussels Airlines
• Canadian North
• Caribbean Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• Cayman Airways
• Central Mountain Air
• China Airlines
• China Eastern Airlines
• China Southern Airlines
• Copa Airlines
• Croatia Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Edelweiss Air
• Egyptair
• Emirates
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Etihad Airways
• Eurowings
• EVA Air
• Fiji Airways
• Garuda Indonesia
• Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes
• Gulf Air
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Hong Kong Airlines
• Iberia
• Icelandair
• Japan Airlines
• Jeju Air
• Jetstar
• Jetstar Japan
• Juneyao Airlines
• Kenya Airways
• KLM
• Korean Air
• Kuwait Airways
• LATAM Airlines Group
• LIAT
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Luxair
• Malaysia Airlines
• Olympic Air
• Oman Air
• Pakistan International Airlines
• Pascan Aviation
• Pegasus Airlines
• Philippine Airlines
• PAL Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Qantas
• Royal Air Maroc
• Royal Jordanian
• Saudia
• Scandinavian Airlines
• Shenzhen Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• South African Airways
• SriLankan Airlines
• Swiss International Air Lines
• TAP Air Portugal
• Thai Airways International
• Tunisair
• Turkish Airlines
• United Airlines
• Vietnam Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic
• Virgin Australia
• Widerøe

Fleet

Air Canada has many airplanes to carry people and things around the world. These airplanes are kept in special places where they get cleaned, fixed, and ready for the next trip. The airline uses different types of planes to fly to many places in Canada and other countries.

Services

Air Canada offers three types of service: Business/Signature, Premium Economy, and Economy. On long trips, you can choose between Signature Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. Shorter trips usually have Business Class and Economy Class. All main seats have movies and shows to watch and special lighting to set the mood.

Air Canada Express has Business Class and Economy Class on some planes, while others only have Economy Class. Many of their planes have Wi-Fi for passengers to use. Starting in 2025, Air Canada will offer fast and free Wi-Fi to members of its rewards program on planes flying within North America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

In 1987, Air Canada tested flights without smoking between Canada and New York City. Because most passengers liked it, they made the change permanent on more flights.

In 2017, Air Canada introduced new uniforms to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary and the airline’s 80th anniversary. The uniforms were designed by a fashion designer from Vancouver and feature black or grey with red details and the maple leaf.

Frequent flyer program

Main article: Aeroplan

Aeroplan is Air Canada's rewards program, where members can collect and use points, and also get special benefits as an Air Canada customer. Air Canada also introduced another rewards program called Altitude, and the two work together.

In May 2017, Air Canada announced plans to start a new loyalty program to replace Aeroplan and Altitude in 2020. On 10 January 2019, Air Canada bought Aeroplan back from Aimia. By 2020, Air Canada Altitude and Aeroplan joined together, with Aeroplan continuing as the main program.

Air Canada Altitude

On 20 September 2012, Air Canada launched a new program called "Air Canada Altitude" to go along with Aeroplan. Aeroplan stayed as the rewards program where members collect miles to use, while Altitude showed the member's status level.

There are five levels in the Altitude Program: Basic, Prestige 25K, Elite 35K, Elite 50K, Elite 75K, and Super Elite 100K. The top three levels offer extra travel benefits like upgrades, access to special rooms, and quicker services. To reach these levels, members need to earn miles or fly certain routes and spend money. These are called Altitude Qualifying Miles (AQM), Segments (AQS), and Dollars (AQD).

Members at the Prestige level and Altitude Elite 35K get Star Alliance Silver status. Elite 50K, Elite 75K, and Super Elite 100K members get Star Alliance Gold status.

Air Canada checks Status Miles each year to decide Altitude Membership Status for the next year, from 1 March to 28 February. At the 35K level and above, the status is given right away for the rest of the current year and the next year.

This works with the Star Alliance, allowing Star Alliance Gold members to use any Star Alliance lounge and get discounts or upgrades with other Star Alliance airlines.

On 8 November 2020, Air Canada Altitude was renamed Aeroplan Elite Status. Altitude Qualifying Miles (AQM), Segments (AQS), and Dollars (AQD) were replaced by Status Qualifying Miles (SQM), Segments (SQS), and Dollars (SQD).