Canada’s flag carrier Air Canada is making impressive progress with its fleet renewal project, continuously enhancing its onboard experience in the process. Inflight Editor Satu Dahl reports.
This article, “In full swing” was published in the July/August 2025 edition of Inflight. To read more articles similar to this, apply for your complimentary subscription today.
A founding member of Star Alliance, Air Canada has announced several exciting developments recently. Inflight met up with the airline at its newly refurbished Maple Leaf Lounge at London Heathrow Airport to catch up on the latest news.
Air Canada has a diverse fleet of more than 400 aircraft, including Airbus A330-300s, which Inflight got to tour as part of the visit to Heathrow, as well as Boeing 787s and 777s, to name just a few.
When it comes to narrowbodies, an Air Canada spokesperson explained that the Airbus A220 has already become a favourite among the airline’s customers.
“We’re thrilled to be the launch customer for the next cabin evolution of this Canadian-designed and assembled aircraft,” the spokesperson said, referring to the recent news that the airline was announced as the launch customer of the A220 Airspace cabin.
With the A220 Airbus Airspace cabin, the airline’s aim is to further improve the onboard experience for passengers, ensuring the availability of overhead storage space for those travelling with larger carry-on items.
The spokesperson said: “With the cabin featuring new XL bins, increasing the overhead capacity of bags by more than 15 per cent, customers will be able to stow their luggage with ease, while the move will also ensure faster boarding times, to ensure customers depart and arrive at their destination on time.”
CABIN UPGRADES — Air Canada’s next-generation Airbus A220 airspace cabin
In 2023 it was announced that major aircraft supplier company Diehl Aviation had been commissioned by Airbus to develop and produce the Airspace XL Bins for the Airbus A220.
Satu Dahl on board the Air Canada A330-300.
The introduction of the new Airspace cabin on Air Canada’s A220 has been timed to coincide with additional cabin upgrades, including a new ceiling design and new lighting, plus an updated cabin interior and seatback entertainment.
The Air Canada spokesperson said: “Customers can look out for the new cabin from early 2026, when the first A220 aircraft featuring the Airbus Airspace cabin will be delivered.”
Ingo Wuggetzer, Vice President Cabin Marketing at Airbus, said at the time of the announcement that the aircraft manufacturer was extremely happy to launch the A220 Airspace cabin with Air Canada and very proud that the Canadian flag carrier is introducing the latest innovation to support its fleet renewal programme.
He added: “Through the introduction of the A220 Airspace cabin, we now enable a fully consistent passenger experience on all our platforms providing widebody comfort on single aisle aircraft.”
“Customers can look out for the new cabin from early 2026, when the first A220 aircraft featuring the Airbus Airspace cabin will be delivered.”
Air Canada spokesperson
WI-FI plan — Free Wi-Fi for Aeroplan members & expanded connectivity
The Air Canada spokesperson also discussed how the carrier’s free Wi-Fi roll-out is going.
They said: “Earlier this year, we took to the skies with new fast, free Wi-Fi for Aeroplan members on board all flights across North America and to and from sun destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean, in a bid to further enhance the onboard customer experience. Sponsored by Bell, the new service means customers can enjoy streaming video services and gaming on their personal devices and makes Air Canada a leader in connectivity.”
The initiative further underscores the airline’s focus on elevating the customer experience, leading the way in providing streaming quality connectivity.
“In 2026, fast, free streaming-quality Wi-Fi for Aeroplan Members will expand to all of Air Canada’s international routes, but until then, free texting remains available for Aeroplan Members on these flights.”
Air Canada’s in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems feature a mix of Panasonic Avionics’ solutions, including the company’s Ex3, which features enhanced-definition touchscreens at every seat and an advanced-intuitive interface, a high-quality audio-video on-demand player, an interactive moving map and games.
Air Canada has teamed up with Panasonic Avionics to offer high-quality IFE on board. Right, another view of the flag carrier’s Maple Leaf Lounge at London Heathrow. Image: Air Canada
POWERING UP — Air Canada’s partnership with Panasonic for Astrova IFE
Last year it was announced that Air Canada had selected Panasonic Avionics’ impressive new Astrova in-flight entertainment solution as a line-fit on its Boeing 787-10, Airbus A220-300 and A321XLR aircraft. Additionally, it will be retrofitted on the carrier’s A321s.
This announcement marked another major milestone for the carrier, as well as for Panasonic Avionics, as this is the first time Astrova will be installed on an A220.
John Moody, Air Canada’s Managing Director Onboard Product, said: “We’re very excited to build on our long-term relationship with Panasonic Avionics by selecting Astrova for our next-generation cabins.”
Up to 100 watts of DC power will be available via USB-C, which will be available in all phases of flight to fast-charge personal electronic devices. Passengers can also listen to high-quality audio using Panasonic Avionics’ Bluetooth technology.
Astrova will leverage Panasonic’s new IFE software platform, which will allow Air Canada to quickly deploy new applications.
Image: Air Canada
Watch and listen — Air Canada’s expansive & bilingual in-flight entertainment library
Regarding IFE content, Air Canada’s in-flight entertainment library is highly diverse. The spokesperson noted that with a global network of nearly 200 destinations, the carrier’s in-flight entertainment has been crafted with the customer in mind, ensuring top-flight entertainment for every age on every route.
“Our goal is to excite customers on their travel journey and invite them to immerse into the IFE from the moment they board our aircraft, and that’s why our expansive IFE library is selected and refreshed monthly to reflect current popular trends including blockbusters, pop culture, family favourites, and more.
“With the largest IFE offering in North America, our library includes over a thousand films, 3,500 TV episodes, 200 audio/music selections, games and nine live Canadian TV channels.”
Providing some examples, the spokesperson mentioned global blockbusters and current shows such as Paddington in Peru, Godzilla Minus One, Dear Paris, Landman, The Morning Show, The Last of Us and D’argent et de sang.
Also available are popular international films and shows from Korea, Japan, Hong Kong SAR and India, plus live TV that brings in-demand sporting events including professional hockey games right to each seat.
The spokesperson said: “As our country’s flag carrier, we also proudly support Canadian content, with films including 500 Days in the Wild, Aberdeen, Spirit in the Blood and Born Hungry. We are equally proud to offer French programming content featuring Quebec cinema, such as Testament, Monsieur Lazhar, La guerre des tuques, Canadian French television shows La dernière communion and Mon fils, in addition to other French originals, French dubbed films, and Quebec live TV.”
Last year, entertainment and connectivity solutions company Anuvu announced a partnership with Air Canada to provide in-flight entertainment from September 2024, including Canadian, Indian and Asian content.
At Air Canada, a linguistic duality that reflects the country’s two official languages is critical to the airline’s customer proposition.
The spokesperson said: “Our award-winning in-flight entertainment offers both English and French content. By this summer, we will offer 50 per cent French films and shows with even more Quebecois productions and French-dubbed global hits in our IFE. We are proud of our truly bilingual IFE product – something no other airline in North America can match.”
Frequently asked questions
Which company is Air Canada working with for its upgraded cabins?
In 2023 it was announced that major aircraft supplier company Diehl Aviation had been commissioned by Airbus to develop and produce the Airspace XL Bins for the Airbus A220.
Which members will be benefitting from Air Canada's free Wi-Fi?
“In 2026, fast, free streaming-quality Wi-Fi for Aeroplan Members will expand to all of Air Canada’s international routes, but until then, free texting remains available for Aeroplan Members on these flights.”
Which company did Air Canada select for IFE on its cabins?
Last year it was announced that Air Canada had selected Panasonic Avionics’ impressive new Astrova in-flight entertainment solution as a line-fit on its Boeing 787-10, Airbus A220-300 and A321XLR aircraft. Additionally, it will be retrofitted on the carrier’s A321s.
What is Air Canada's expectations with its in-flight entertainment?
“Our goal is to excite customers on their travel journey and invite them to immerse into the IFE from the moment they board our aircraft, and that’s why our expansive IFE library is selected and refreshed monthly to reflect current popular trends including blockbusters, pop culture, family favourites, and more.”
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About the author
Inflight Editor Satu Dahl is a highly respected aviation journalist who, for over a decade, has been reporting on airlines’ latest developments and ground-breaking new products, as well as conducting extensive airline executive interviews and in-depth analysis on the global aviation marketplace, covering both commercial and business aviation.
