In an interesting move, Air Canada is planning to offer free in-flight connectivity to all its passengers.
Air Canada Airbus A220-300. Complimentary Wi-Fi, coming soon. Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
Commencing 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.
Fast, free Wi-Fi will be available on Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and most Air Canada Express aircraft, building on the airlines’ free Wi-Fi texting service that has been offered since May 2023.
This will include select services operating from Billy Bishopp Airport in downtown Toronto, which will feature the first De Havilland Dash8-Q400s fitted with inflight connectivity, on routes to Montreal or Ottawa.
Plans to complete certification and installation of Wi-Fi connectivity on Q400 aircraft is targeted to begin in 2025 with a planned completion of a first phase by year-end. This is set to be the first fast, free Wi-Fi offering on Q400 aircraft.
In Quotes
Mark Nasr, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Digital at Air Canada, and President of Aeroplan.
“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
“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.”
Blaik Kirby, Group President, Consumer and Small Business at Bell added:
“This next chapter in our partnership with Air Canada reflects our purpose to advance how Canadians connect with each other and the world,”
“We are transforming the in-flight experience for Aeroplan Members, enabling them to be productive, stream entertainment and stay connected throughout their journey.”
And all it will cost… is a little information
For those what to access the free hotspots that will pop up on Air Canada aircraft, all it will cost is you willing to than over your information to create an account with Aeroplan. Those who aren’t already an Aeroplan Member can sign up free of charge at aircanada.com/aeroplan.
If you don’t want to hand over your personal information to Air Canada (bearing in mind you’ve given up a lot just to sit on one of their aircraft), those without an Aeroplan membership can purchase Wi-Fi for their flight at a reduced flat fee.
It’s interesting to see how the airlines are seeking to monitise their data and choosing their strategies, with three emerging paths now coming out.
- Free at the point of use
- Partial Free service/Paid Service
- Paid Services only
Of course, how they use their data is another matter. I’ve got some thoughts on that next week.
We’ll be keeping an eye on this – especially with the Supplemental Type Certificate to get Wi-Fi connectivity deployed on a Dash8-Q400…
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For several years I have thought the long term trajectory is for airline and hotels to all offer free wifi to all customers – or at least to all loyalty program members. Studies have shown loyalty program members – like all of us that collect airline and/or hotel and/or credit card bank points – tend to spend like 30% more with the program sponsor (airline, hotel, bank) than non-loyalty program customers.