MONTREAL — Air Canada has announced what it calls its most comprehensive cabin renewal program yet, spanning Air Canada mainline, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express.
The multi-year investment reimagines the onboard experience with new interiors, next-generation technology, and thoughtful details inspired by customer and co-worker feedback, said Air Canada’s EVP and COO, Mark Nasr.
This includes the industry’s most comprehensive fast, free WiFi offering, sponsored by Bell.
“When customers step onto an Air Canada aircraft, they should instantly feel a sense of comfort, care and pride,” said Nasr. “Supported by award-winning service from co-workers across the company, this renewal program is about delivering that feeling consistently, across every flight. Whether traveling for business, leisure, or something in between, every update is designed with our customers in mind.”
The program includes “an entirely new Air Canada Rouge product with cutting-edge in-flight entertainment, Fast, Free WiFi, and seats that recline for all customers,” said Nasr.
AIR CANADA ROUGE
All B737 MAX 8 currently part of Air Canada’s mainline fleet will transition to Air Canada Rouge through 2026.
The updated cabins will feature 12 Business Class seats, 18 Preferred extra legroom Economy seats and 147 Standard Economy seats – each reclining, featuring personal on-demand entertainment screens and fast, free WiFi for Aeroplan members.
To support this fleet transition, a new Rouge crew base will be opened in Vancouver, providing more choices for leisure travellers from Western Canada.
MAINLINE FLEET UPDATE
Meanwhile all of the airline’s A320 and A321 aircraft will operate at Air Canada mainline. Interiors will be upgraded to Air Canada’s latest standards, including new seating, the latest in-flight entertainment, and upgraded fast, free WiFi. The renovated cabins will complement Air Canada’s new design standard, said Nasr, with a distinctly Canadian aesthetic.
The program is well underway, with 15 Airbus A321s already flying with the upgrades.
GROWING THE A220 FLEET
Air Canada will also continue to invest in its A220 fleet.
Air Canada has an additional 26 Airbus A220-300s on order and will introduce its new design standard on future deliveries, including Airbus’ larger XL overhead bins, as of March 2026.
CABIN UPGRADES FOR AIR CANADA EXPRESS
Air Canada Express aircraft operated by Jazz, including the Embraer E175 and Mitsubishi CRJ-900, will be fitted with the new cabin standard from 2026. Next generation fast, free WiFi is being rolled out, with 55% of the fleet already completed.
This is in addition to the previously announced upgrades to the 25 De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft, which will undergo a full cabin redesign to install new seating, new interiors and, on aircraft flying from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, next generation fast, free WiFi.
Air Canada is also elevating the onboard experience across its North American network with complimentary beer, wine, and premium snacks on all flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express (Jazz).
